>We purchased six (6) new Compaqs, all identical, but only one has this problem.
>If we log off the network, it shuts off automatically, otherwise it hangs, go figure.

I would venture that the problem isn't only Active Desktop (if you can't remove it, at least turn it off) It's more likely a network problem.

Try connecting this machine to a different port on your hubbing. See if it changes the behavior. It could be that the hub is overloaded, and the machine is 'hanging' because it doesn't get a timely proper response from all the other machines it's communicated with during that session. (How many extra network protocols do you have installed? Try to get by with 2 or at most 3 (TCP/IP, IPX/SPX and if needed) You probably don't need TCP/IP-to-DialUp adapter on your LAN at work. If it's a network issue, there ARE ways to cure it...