Me freezes at destop window after clean install

I've recently done a clean reinstall of Windows ME on an IBM NetVista desktop
(2251-TAU) using the product recovery CDs that came with the system. The
clean install finishes without any problems/errors and then goes into the
final bootup of Me. It gets to the desktop window, loads the icons on the
desktop and the system tray and then freezes always at the same place every
time. I've tried just about everything including scandisk /all (comes up
clean) scanreg /fix (fixes registry), memory test (clean), ran diagnostics on
all hardware (clean). I only have physically installed the monitor (E74),
mouse, keyboard, and the cards that came with the original system. During
setup I chose not to set up internet access (will do that later). Any ideas
of why I'm getting the freeze at the desktop always at the same place. Any
tools I can use to see what is locking up/freezing Me? Thanks so much for any
help you may be able to provide. This is driving me nuts!