I have the same problem. It does not happen all the time but when it does I use ctrl+alt+delete to get the task manger to come up. There is always a program running called "CTL" running. I end that task and some times it does the trick but more often that not it does not. I then start closing out running programs using task manger until thing get back to normal. At this point I as a rule have to log out and then back in to get the problem to go away and about a third of the time I have to reboot. Oh yes I am also running IM and ZAP..... I will try to post a screen shot the next time this happens. By the way welcome to the board and your are in the best place to get a problem solved IMHO. These folks are the best...............