Windows Explorer

[wallrunnerm15]

whenever i open the windows explorer for say "my documents" or any other folder i may have, about 75% of the timew the screen wil freeze and then the program won't respond. then Dr. Watson comes up like always, but never fixes the problem. Can anyone tell me what is worng or how to fix this??

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe you have some malware (adware/spyware/virus/Trojan/worm). Could you give this info:

1. What version of Windows
2. What service pack your Windows has
3. What kind of Internet connection you use
4. Do you have a router
5. Do you have a software firewall
6. Do you have an antivirus software (if so, exactly what brand and version, and has it detected stuff)

 

[azel]

Does the problem continue in safe mode?

What if you use command-prompt to list directory contents?

Are you able to run scandisk?

If safe mode works it's most likely another process or service which tries to hijack explorer's operations. If explorer failes in safemode but command prompt works, it could file system problems. Explorer is bad at processing corrupted file systems or files with non-standard descriptors. Broken media files and non-native character encoded filenames could also cause issues. In that case scandisk may fix some problems. If certain files are causing crashes you will need to delete them through command-prompt.

 

[wallrunnerm15]

i am running XP pro with sp2, and i am on an LAN T1 connection. no router that i personally have, i use norton internet security pro,

 

[montag451]

try explorer in safe mode.
Also, what progs start when you boot -
START - RUN - type MSCONFIG - STARTUP tab - some of the proggies there you want to keep - but some you might find are malware. Disable antivirus in this, and other non-essential progs, then reboot and see if that fixes the problem.
If yes, then enable one of the progs that you just disabled to start and reboot, see if the problem stays away - keep doing this till you have narrowed down the suspect.
Even then, it might just be the order in which certain prog/apps are loaded at boot which may cause a prob.
Good luck

before anything else, that will give more of an idea on the prob.

 

[wallrunnerm15]

how do i run it in safe-mode or how can i run scandisk, i can figure out how to do it. i found this proc dumprep, i dont know how it started but it didnt used ot be there and i cant get rid of it. any suggestions

 

[mechBgon]

Do you have an antivirus software (if so, exactly what brand and version, and has it detected stuff)

^^ 2003, 2004, 2005 version? The way this troubleshooting process works, is you answer the questions

Are the virus definitions up-to-date (download & run the Intelligent Updater from here to get today's defs)? After updating, go through the Options panel, max out heuristcs and all other options, and run a full system scan and tell us whether it detects threats. If it detects threats, tell us what they are.

 

[wallrunnerm15]

i have 2004, i maxed out everything
nothing was found.
i ran windows in safe-mode but i still had the problem.

 

[mechBgon]

That's good news 2004 knows to look for spyware, adware, Trojans and other stuff that 2003 doesn't, is why I was prying about what version it is. You might also scan for spyware using Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot Search & Destroy to see if they see any spyware (they always find a boatload of tracking cookies, if nothing else, not that those are a serious issue).

If you do get some spyware reported by those two apps, have them fix it, and then restart and see if it's still gone. If it comes back, then say what it is that reinstalled itself and I'll try to help you kill it

Other than that, it sort of sounds like Windows is Seriously Messed Up? and maybe it's time for a fresh install. If you go that route, I made a page with suggestions on security: page.

 

[wallrunnerm15]

ad-aware found nothing, but spybot found a few tracking cookies, but more importantly it found 5 "registry changes" and 1 "registry value" all of these are in my internet settings folder. i removed them all

 

[montag451]

Could you try an alternate explorer - ie Powerdesk.
I don't know whether this acts like a skin to explorer, but i dont think so.
there are others,

but powerdesk is mmmmmmmmmm oh so nice

 

[wallrunnerm15]

is that the only alternative, the program is like $50!!!

 

[azel]

An "alternate" explorer will not work if the filesystem is corrupt. Try going in to Safe Mode: Command prompt only by pressing "f8" while staring up Windows, before the Windows LOGO comes on. Then type:

chkdsk c: /r

and press ENTER. This will run the disk checking program with error-fixing turned on.

 

[nukexbi]

Did this start happening after Service Pack 2 was installed?
I've seen it before with a SP2 install. I solved it by doing a system restore to before SP2 and then reinstalling SP2.
When I saw the problem, I could not get into explorer or any folders. Dr Watson would also freeze the computer and I would have to 'end task' to continue. Funny thing was that the client used the computer like that for 3 months before calling me. Unbelievable.

-Scott

 

[wallrunnerm15]

yea that is what mine is like, except i can use a few folders, but some of my program folders and my download folders freeze up with Dr. Watson. it started about a week or so ago, i think after i installed some new patches from windows updates