I have a HP Pavillion ze4800 laptop with WindowsXP. When I click on a desktop icon I get a message that asks me if I am sure I want to delete that icon and the NO box does NOT work. Usually the programs can be started from the Start menu.
I have gone so far as to reformat the HD and reinstall Windows and I am still getting this error. I am not certain if it is a software problem (perhaps a virus in the boot sector of the HD) or a hardware problem (perhaps it needs a new keyboard or touchpad). One of the reasons I was leaning toward the hardware solution is that the left mouse click doesn't work and I need to use a USB mouse - but the error occurs with either the touchpad right click or the USB mouse.
I ordered both a touchpad and keyboard and in the meantime I also reformatted the HD once again and reinstalled Windows XP. Interestingly, the desktop icons are available to click on and everything works perfectly, without incident, UNTIL I restart the laptop. Once the laptop is restarted, the problem re-occurs. This makes me think it is software related - but where (other than the boot sector of the HD) since the HD has been reformatted twice now.

Try one of the bootable live Linux CDs like Puppy Linux. Download the .iso file then use it as input to create a bootable CD. I don't know what burning software you have, most support creating a CD from an image (.iso) file. If yours doesn't, use ImgBurn. Burn at the lowest available speed, usually 4X.

Boot the CD and see how the mouse (mice?) work. If okay then it's a XP problem. If not then it's a hardware problem.

As well, check the HP site for trouble shooting (that model);

Start-up / Shutdown HP Pavilion ze4800 CTO Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

" but the error occurs with either the touchpad right click or the USB mouse"

Seems the mainboard hardware related problem, not the Windows software issue.
Could be the mainboard KB controller.

Hope this helps!
Bill
Tech Manager

PCTestCard,

If the poster follows, and performs, what is outlined in Posts 2 & 3, this should give a good indication or verify what is happening with this machine.