need help: control panel freezing issues

Hey, im using WinXP Home edition, and everything's been perfect until now. Now i am trying to open the control panel and im finding that after i click on the Control Panel button, it acts like it is going to open it, but then it never pops up. The taskbar closes and everything, but nothing opens. Then the computer slows down and essentially freezes, not allowing me to open anything from task manager to the Windows Shutdown button, leaving me with no options other than manually shutting the computer down by holding the little button. Needless to say, this isnt a great situation i am in. I can open the Control Panel on any other account on this computer, so only my account does the freezing thing. I'd appreciate any advice/help anyone has to offer, this is really starting to bug me. I think its happened 6ish times, so restarting the computer doesnt work, and im not sure where else to look for help. Thanks again