My computer has gone to you-know-where in a hand basket. My keyboard doesn't display the Shift+number symbols correctly (Such as #,*,%), if I attempt to go to the display tab un the desktop properties window, the whole screen goes black, or on a occasion, a marred sea of pixilated color and my CD drive open easily, but on attempting to close it, whether by button or force, it defiantly opens back up! Before my CD drive refused to open.  I had to open it with a paper clip, but at least it would gladly close!  How I long and yearn for those days!   This is a half belly-aching, half cry for help post, and if anyone can help with any of the three damnations, well, I dunno... All these problems!  I'm getting dizzy... Mommy!?

I realize this sounds like the uneducated, cowards way out,, BUT, there comes a time in every computer's life, for a "rebuild". Even with the same old components.

The cluster-foxtrot we all know as Windows can dig itself into a hole where even the most talented debugger will decide it's time to <gasp> format. Sometimes, we even need to go a bit further.

I'll first advise that you read ensuing posts, as someone may know of your exact ailment, and have a fix (I doubt it).

If it were me,,I'd save to floppies  what I could and then set aside a day for the "fun"  (if your data is REAL important,, there are ways to help... if you have a second HHD you can install an OS there,, make your existing dirve a slave,,boot to the new HDD and then "explore"  your way around the corrupt HDD and save what you can,,,OR there are data-recovery specialist that can help,, but it's costly)

Anyway,, take EVERYTHING apart. Observing all cautions regarding static-damage,, clean every nook and cranny,, all the terminals on all cards and memory sticks...  put it all back together.

Then just pretend it's a new computer,, install an OS,, and,,well you know the drill....

good luck..