The problems with my desktop seem to be resolved. After trying to single out any particular problem that was either reasonable or suggested, I gave up. Days later I noticed a strange phenomenon. The “link” light on my USB wireless networking adapter was lit even though the computer had been shut down for days. I removed it from the system and everything seemed hunky dory. So I plugged it back in and things went batty again.
I blame the NSA who obviously replaced my old adapter with a new one.
