system freezes on shutdown/reboot

I have searched Google. I have used XP's help center. I have searched MSKB. EVERY time I shut down or reboot my computer (even software initiated), the system freezes on the "Windows is shutting down..." screen. Must manually shut down which, 9 times out of 10, requires the system to run scandisk at next boot. New system, AMD Athlon 64 3200, PCIe Nvidia video card, 160gb SATA main drive, 1GB DDR 3200/400, mobo is BioStar NF4ST-A9, usb keyboard and mouse, gblan, 19" LCD monitor with DVI connection, 450w PS. Not overclocked, not overheating, all drivers up to date, no conflicts, Win XP SP2 with all updates. Also, 90% of boots do not engage my mouse. Must unplug/plug to activate. Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share. :-?

What mouse do you have?  Did you install software/driver that came with it?  Do the mouse and keyboard use the same receiver unit?  Have you tried connecting the mouse to a different USB port?  Do you have an extra/unused mouse (maybe a PS/2 instead of USB) you could try, for testing purposes?

The mouse is IBM, made by Micro Innovations. No, I do not have/did not install drivers. However, I have put the mouse in ALL 6 of my USB ports and the same problem occurs. If I use the PS2 port, it occurs less often, but occurs occassionally. I'm trying to keep it USB since PS2 isn't hot swappable which means a reboot (with all of it's problems) whenever the mouse isn't found. Also, I have looked for the drivers, but to no avail. Even email support from Micro Innovations says that my model # (found on the bottom of the mouse) is not valid. Hard to find drivers for a mouse that doesn't exist!  :-/  By the way, this mouse never had any issues with XP on my old computer which was Intel P4 Prescott, 3.0.

[Moderator]

Why would you ever need to hot swap a mouse?

LOL! When the mouse isn't recognized, I have to unplug/plug it back in. That's what I meant. Sorry.

[Moderator]

Is there another USB port you could try the mouse on? Are you free of malware?

As stated before, I have tried all 6 of my usb ports. Mind you, other periferals(sp) don't seem to have the same problem. I realize that all of this points to a bad mouse, but was hoping for help instead of another purchase as this system has strapped me already. Incidently, I appreciate the interest in my mouse issue, but do you have any ideas about the major problem of windows freezing? Thanks so much.  

Oh, sorry, YES I am free of malware. I faithfully run ad-aware as well as Sys Mechanic. No viruses or spyware, etc.

[Moderator]

Here's some good reading from the FAQ section:

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?num=1149804407

Have done all the above. Nothing seems to work and nothing shows up as errors or gives me any clues as to what may be happening.

[Moderator]

Did you build this system? Did it ever work correctly?

Yes, I built it. No, it has not worked correctly yet. I'm hoping to get it to that point. This is the 6th computer I've put together but the 1st to have problems. I was hoping maybe I had incorrectly connected my wiring, but it's done just as the manual says as well as their tech support. They say it's a Windows issue.

[Moderator]

Why don't you download a Linux Live CD and see if that functions correctly? If it does, it was software, if not, then it is hardware. Do you have a CD burner? Just burn the download as an ISO with Nero, etc. and boot with it.

http://www.slax.org/download.php

Were you using a real Windows CD?

I actually already have the file and have burned it previously. I was considering that as well as the possiblity of Windows Vista B2?? Do you know if that's a good idea or not? Thanks.

[Moderator]

Vista is not going to help anything. If something malfunctions it could just as likely be due to Vista.  

This way you can safely and quickly test.