I know it won't make you feel any better but I run an office that is full of nice shiny IBM PCs all under two years old, some brand new. They all have the same symptoms as you describe and our IT Department have been unable to do anything with them. I just mention this so you won't imagine that going out and buying a preloaded fully integrated super-dooper new machine from a reputable manufacturer will be a panacea. I spend half my day soothing enraged staff whose entire morning's output has just been trashed and preventing them throwing their PCs out of the window. Deep inside I'd like to hold the window open for them while they get on with it...
**********************************. .Through difficulties to the cinema