Computer doesn't respond sometimes and freezes

[splooger]

Sometimes, and it appears to be random, when I click on a link to go to a web page, the cursor give me the hour glass and the system freezes. This only occurs when I first start up the computer on the first link I select and I have to shut off the computer and cannot reboot. The mouse is not frozen but the system appears to be busy. I can check memory usage and resources when this happens and they appear to be normal. After I turn the computer back on the problem always resolves. It happens a few times a week. I'm using WindowsXP. Any ideas?

Edit: More info:

The link can be either in an email or the IE shortcut that goes to my homepage. I'm using Outlook Express and IE all latest versions. I keep everything up to date and am fanatical about keeping out spyware/adware/viruses.

[Six]

i was going to say start with avirus scan and a spyware check but... try using firefox for a bit to see if its ie or a problem with the net... would help lead us in some dirrections as that is a tough one

[splooger]

Update: the problem still occurs with Firefox. I noticed this time that I was able to connect to the internet before I loaded Outlook Express but got the problem afterwards. This makes me think it's a problem with OE.

[Six]

is this a 100% of the time issue or a part of the time issue?

[splooger]

is this a 100% of the time issue or a part of the time issue?

A part time issue.

[Six]

hard to say i would disable everything in msconfig for a while and see what happens