Strange Vista bug

[Aquarius2]

I apologize for the long message, but this is a strange bug with a few very specific symptoms. I am trying to give as detailed of info as I can. I would be extremely grateful if anyone can help.

Computer specs: Dell inspirion 1501 laptop running Vista home premium SP1 32bit; AMD Athalon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor TK-53, 1700 Mhz processor; Dell 2.6.2 bios; 2 gig RAM; 101 gig ST9120822AS ATA Hard Drive

The problem started with an attempt to run Check Disk. The computer had been working fine, I just run it every month or two as standard maintenance. After re-booting, it instantly gave the message that it had been canceled. No I get this response every time I try to run it. Ever since the first failed Check Disk attempt, it has had a strange set of problems, seeming to mimic a constant ghost signal from the keyboard. However, there are absolutely no problems typing, and I ran full Dell diagnostics on the keyboard and hard drive with no errors found. Also, it is only a few select functions of specific applications effected. In these the error occurs consistently, and not at all in any others.

The other problems are:

• MS OneNote: When I try to use the Highlighted pen (not the straight line tool) my mouse pointer turns into a highlighter for a split second, then turns into the pointer again. If I try to drag a page, section, or Notebook (not selected text, or other elements on a page) I get the square on the end of the pointer indicating it's dragging for only a split second, then it disappears as if I released the mouse button.
  
• Screensaver: Will not run or preview
  
• online hotmail: If I use the Full version, some of the menus only open for a split second then disappear before I could possibly click on something. The menu for switching IDs works, but I have this problem with the new, junk, options, attach, and spelling menu. If I move my mouse fast enough to get over the menu, then press and hold the shift key it will stay open, bu when I click it seems to click 'through' the menu, and activate whatever was behind it. If I press the shift key before opening the menu, it makes no difference.
  
• 3rd Party apps: I tried installing a very simple program called Desk Pins. It puts an icon in the notification area, when you click the mouse pointer should turn into a pushpin until you click on a window titlebar, then it pins that window on top. Again, my pointer only turns into a pushpin for a split second. It has a shortcut key, ctrl+f12 pins the active window, and that works fine. I also have a program called WinStar, which functions perfectly, except for the glossary page in it's help. When you click a term it gives a small popup (not like a javascript broeser popup, it looks mor like a tooltip) that stays in place until you click again. After I developed this bug, the popup only appears for a split second and disappears again.
  

To give a little background I purchased 3 Dell laptops at the same time with the same specs, one for me, one for my sister, and one for my mother. My sister's laptop developed the same problem I'm having now, a few weeks before mine. I tried reinstalling Vista on hers, using the Dell OEM disk that came with it. I tested it before reinstalling any of her documents or programs. It did NOT fix the problem. I am certain it's not a virus. Although we are on the same home network, we have a ZA router with virus protection, as well as Zone Alarm security suite installed on every PC in the house. We keep all Windows and Zone alarm updates current. Besides this, there are three other computers on the same home network that did not develop this bug. One is my mother's laptop (identical to mine and my sisters) as well as a HP compaq running Vista ultimate, and an old custom PC running XP. None of them have developed this bug. I have contacted Zone Alarm, and researched and posted at virus and spyware related sites/forums, and no one has experienced a problem like this.

Edited September 26, 2008 by Aquarius2

[cluberti]

The behaviors you describe are really quite random (although it's odd that another same laptop is exhibiting the exact same symptoms). If you can, I'd grab a Vista DVD from someone you know (or other means) and install *just* Vista SP1 + updates, then install *just* Office+OneNote. See if you repro the problems along the way doing that - if you do, that leaves only the hardware to blame (somewhere). If it only repros with the Dell disc(s), consider them garbage and use the Vista DVD to reinstall. You shouldn't need to enter any key, as the default Vista install will work unactivated for 30 days, and this should be only a few-hour test.