Windows Explorer freezing...

Hello, it's been a long time since I've had to visit here, but I'm at my wits end. Here's the situation:

I'm running WindowsXP SP3.

Whenever I attempt to save any image file (.gif, .jpg, .bmp etc..) Windows Explorer freezes. Strangely, I can rename existing image files, but any attempts to save new images, or even to move existing images to new folders causes Windows Explorer to completely lock up and I have to use the Task Manager to stop whatever program I am using. (I have attempted to save image files from MS Paint as well as Jasc Paint Shop Pro.)

I have used HJT to verify that I'm not infected with spyware. I have used CCleaner to clean all unnecessary junk as well as give my registry an attitude adjustment. I made sure that all the file associations were set to the proper programs. ...I've been tormented with this for three days now so I'm sure I've done more, but this is all that comes to mind at the moment.

Any idea what the problem could be?

(p.s. I just installed SP3 today thinking that my solution might be there, but the problem carried over from XP SP2 to SP3.)

(p.p.s. If I put this in the wrong area, my humble apologies.)

 

Thanks Mark. I tried to run the SFC in safe mode but only got this:

Windows File Protection could not initiate a scan of protected system files.

The specific error code is 0x000006ba [The RPC server is unavailable].

I checked the M$ website and their fix said to check and make sure the service was running. I did that, and the service was running fine. After that, I ran the SFC without being in safe mode.

After about 45 seconds I got a pop-up telling me I was missing some .DLL's and to insert my Windows disk. The computer I have is a refurb from a used computer store...and the disk I have is burned (by the owner). I kept getting pop-ups telling me to re-insert the disk with an option to retry or quit, and I clicked retry every time, and the SFC would continue as if it were working fine.

When it was finished, I rebooted, went to MSPaint, tried to save a .bmp, and Windows Explorer froze up. So...that fix didn't work.

I also looked in my event viewer, and while I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be looking for...the only problems I see have to do with AVG.

So...long story short...I'm still freezing up every time I try to save an image file. Any other ideas?

 

Okay...I've found a fix!

I found it on another site and the text was this:

I'm not sure about your policy on links, but credit for that info goes here:http://www.thejackol.com/2006/01/20/windows-explorer-freeze-problem/
Now I'm afraid to re-register those DLL's because the problem might come back.


edited to add that I re-registered the DLL's and the problem still seems to be fixed. ...strange.