Start up/internet connection problems

[lkb]

Lately I have been having trouble when I start up my computer - I have to shut it down and reboot about 3-4 times before everything "works". On the first few tries, everything comes up extremely slowly (which is my clue to shut it down and try again because shutting down at this point is easy.) I can run programs and access files on the harddrive, but the minute I try to connect to the internet or access my email, my problems start.
If I try to open MS Outlook and get my email, the dialog box "freezes". I can't close the dialog box, although I can close Outlook itself.

When I try to shut down windows, I get program not responding messages. It takes forever to shut the system down. I have run virus scans and nothing shows up. The only clue I have gotten is an error message stating "Unable to Start Driver for hpoipm07.exe", but this only happened once. This problem has been going on for about 3-4 days now.

Any clues?

 

[Corvus]

I would start with a defrag then run a scan disk . I would also run a system file check. Just type sfc /scannow in the run box. Also if you have installed any prgrms in the last few days remove them . Also download adaware http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10185294.html?tag=tid from download .com . You may have some spyware on your PC. Start with those things and see what happens.