Windows Explorer not responding...

When was the last time you had a good clean out Kestrel, defrag and so forth !
Give it a go you can't harm anything can you !

Also just found this Kestrel, i think its been copied initially from MS because theres a link at the bottom aswell for MS Support, basically what its saying is start your PC without all your other programs, then reboot to see what happens, similar to what you do with a browser without the apps to see whats causing the problem !

There are many steps which we could try lets try the basic step, we will have to place the computer in a clean boot state, to place the computer in a clean boot state follow the steps below:

Step 1: Perform a clean boot
Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.

b. Click Start, type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration Utility. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

c. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)

d. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.

Note Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.

e. Click OK, and then click Restart.

Once you restart check if the issue is resolved in clean boot state.

If the issue does not occur in a clean boot state, follow the steps below to diagnose the program or startup item which is causing the issue.

Step 2: Enable half of the service

Follow steps 1a and 1b to start the System Configuration utility.
Click the Services tab, and then click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box.
Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.
Click OK, and then click Restart.

Step 3: Determine whether the problem returns

If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Service list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 2. In step 2, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one service is selected in the Service list, and you still experience the problem, the selected service causes the problem. Go to step 6. If no service causes this problem, go to step 4.

Step 4: Enable half of the Startup items

Perform a clean boot by repeating step 1.
Click the Startup tab, and then click to select half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.
Click OK, and then click Restart.

Step 5: Determine whether the problem returns

If the problem still occurs, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Startup Item list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat step 1 and step 4. In step 4, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one startup item is selected in the Startup Item list, and you still experience the problem, the startup item that is selected in the list is the service that is causing the problem. Go to step 6.

If no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat step 1 and step 2 without selecting the Hide all Microsoft services check box in either step.

Step 6: Resolve the problem

After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration Utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Step 7: Reset the computer to start as usual

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

Click Start , type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
On the General tab, click the Normal Startup option, and then click OK.
When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart.

You can also refer the link below for the above steps:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135


Hope this helps you out Kestrel



Rusty !

 

I was going to suggest safe mode but thought you might have already tried that, thats why i gave you that post with the link attatched, try safe mode then see how it goes !

 

As a follow-up: I've got a new work machine (Dell Inspiron, Vista Home 64-bit) that exhibits the same 'Explorer Not Responding' symptom, except that mine occurs when trying to open the Control Panel...it takes a couple of tries to restart Explorer, then everything's fine...

Since this is a new machine, when I get a chance I'll wipe it out out and start from scratch, see if it's a Vista problem or if it's caused by some 3rd-party software...

 

You formatted, and have the same issue? Presumably you've reinstalled from a recovery partition?

 

How about instead of disabling add-ons you not install those add-ons at all?

You said you did a recovery to factory settings, but were you personal files still left behind? I ask this, because HP has something like this, but when you run it, it most of the time does not delete personal files and programs. If this is the case, you did not format your harddrive and you may still have a lingering issue.

 

I have been watching this thread hoping you find an answer. My Windows Explorer does the same thing, especially when I try to move something on my desktop (ie. I have folders for my school classes and I put the power points on my desktop, then move them to the folder after I view them). When I try to drag them to the folder, Explorer always errors out (not responding) and I have to close it out, then works again.
My daughter also has trouble with Windows Explorer freezing up, so in the back of my mind, I really wonder what is going on.
I hope you find an answer to yours.

 

Yes, I am using Vista. This computer is almost two years old, though, and just recently started doing this. I did have to download some programs for school, so I am wondering if I have some compatibility issues with that. I do have to use them for now, so I might not know for sure if that is what is going on with mine until May when I have completed this semester and can uninstall the programs.
I do use Firefox and also have WOT.
I also have googled, but doesn't seem to be any concrete reason for it happening.

 

Kes, any errors or warnings in Event viewer. Specially around the time explorer fails.
http://www.computerperformance.co.u....htm#Reasons_to_Master_the_Vista_Event_Viewer

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6108150.html

Just two random links to help navigate, I'm certain there are better sites.
The Tech gurus on MGs will help diagnose any issues listed. Event viewer errors always gave me a headache and I had to do a lot of searching on the net. That was On XP. Apparently Vista's Event viewer gives a lot more info - might be twice the head ache LOL

Cheers..

 

And how will you use that Xp Cd on this LT?
Might be easier to dual boot Ubuntu.
cheers..