Try doing the Safe Mode for the Recycle Bin as well.
And may I suggest something? You may have already done this but in case you didn't, please consider the following:
I think it's time you do a serious cleanup of your machine. There are a million reasons why your computer is locking up and without one of us actually looking it over, it is impossible to isolate the problem.
A study was just done on Spyware. They said (and don't quote me because I don't remember the actual statistics) but let's say they tested 10 computers, 80% of them were *infested* with Spyware.
Spyware, Malware, whatever you want to call it is no longer just about putting a cookie on someone's machine. It can hijack your browser, insert malicious code via Active X scripts, place executables on your computer which call up remote servers or functions which can sap a machine, and so on.
What I would do if I were you is this:
1. Install Anti-Spyware & Removal Utilities such as Adaware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Merjin's Hijack This!, and just do a google on spyware removal utils. Download them, update them with new definitions, and scan your computer.
It is best to do these scans in Safe Mode by the way.
2. Update your virus definitions and do a full system scan. If you don't have time to wait, leave your computer on and before you go to sleep start the scan but make sure you tell it to automatically clean or quarantine any infected files.
Do these weekly! You cannot afford your machine getting compromised. I do virus/spyware scans on Friday evenings. Even once a week is no longer sufficient but as a 24/7 Systems Admin I am not afforded much in the way of time.
3. Get ONE program like Symantec's Systemworks which can do defrag, chkdisk, and WinDoctor (this scans the registry and repairs missing or invalid pointers). Do this once, and then subsequently once a month.
4. Update Windows every week as well. windowsupdate.microsoft.com
There are a gazillion security holes out there. Patch them up as quickly as you can. And especially on a machine that is connected 24/7 to the Internet.
5. Watch what you download. Don't just download a program because it looks cool or some guy on Google's Groups says its cool. Make sure you know what's going into your system. Just like you wouldn't just put anything into your mouth because you may be poisoned; watch what you are installing on your box.
6. Start a personal software arsenal. Keep bootdisks, driver disks, system information, etc at the ready. A long time ago I put everything for one machine in a plastic bag and stashed it inside the chassis of the machine so the documentation and disks wouldn't get lost. The more you have at your fingertips will lessen the amount of time it takes to troubleshoot the box.
7. Regularly clean out Temporary Internet Files, History, Cookies like you have done today. I'd rather have to sign into a website I regularly visit (like our own beloved Tek-Tips, then have something lurking in my box I'm not aware of)
8. Get a hardware or software firewall.
9. Read about locking down and securing your machine.
10. Add/Remove programs you no longer want or need.
11. Remove programs which are starting up unnecessarily when your computer comes on. Do you really need Yahoo!, AOL IM, MSN Messenger, RealPlayer, ICQ and God knows what else all starting up at the same time?
Keep track of your computer's performance using PerfMon. What is sapping your processor?
Just some tips. Once you get rid of all the junk, you may find your computer is running a heck of a lot better than it was.
Good luck!
