Windows XP Files and Folder Explorer.exe (NOT Internet Explorer) problems

Additionally, run chkdsk -r on both of your drives...  From the Command Shell (Dos Prompt)

FE

To SheharyaarSaahil and Fatal Exception,

I appreciate all your help. I did everything you suggested.

The new user profile had the same problem.

I had to run the sfc and chkdsk commands at the Dos prompt. The process initiated, and completed, but did not solve the problem.

What I finally did was to uninstall McAfee VirusScan, whicch freed up the system so that I was able to navigate again in Windows Explorer.

Ultimately what I discovered was that, in spite of McAfee VirusScan and Firewall, I had ?spyware? called "WinTools for IE Service" hijacking the system. The WToolsA.exe, WToolsS.exe and WSup.exe files all had no legitimate stats when I went into properties. I looked them up on the internet and found some info on how to disable them from running in memory, so that I could delete the offending files(backup copies of which I found everywhere), once I had Explorer.exe working without McAfee's interference. I think McAfee must have been detecting some illegitimate activity, thus freezing up the system, everytime the WTools.exe was active.

In Windows XP I went to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services and in the right pane pressed STOP for "WinTools for IE Services."

I found the main folder where the offending files were stored and was able to delete all but the WinToolsB.dll. Oddly enough, though, I was able to RENAME it. I renamed the entire file, not just the extension. After finding vestiges of the exe files everywhere, I came back and was able to delete the renamed dll file.

So far none of the WinTools has reappeared as active in the TaskManager. Now I would like to find a VirusScan program that I can manage and update manually and that will not take over my enitre system and will let me decide which files I want scanned and when. I used to be able to do that with McAfee, but no longer.

Hope the above may help someone else. Thanks so much for your suggestions.

Karla

hmmmmmmmm u can give a try to AVG from Grisoft >> http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

But im still surprised why did u get problems with Mcafee, i mean im using it for quite a long time, and never had complains with it,,,,, although the version 7.0 had some problems with XP,,,, but not majors ones,,, and even those minors ones are removed in version 8.0 !!!!!

I personally dont like & trust Norton, so im not gonna advice for it, i have heard abt AVG that it does a decent job as compared to others, although have not tried it myself yet, im satisfied with Mcafee :)

Well, I use Norton (Not the Security edition..!!) on my personal workstation, and AVG on my servers.  I am also quite satisfied with both of them...  

FE

In this section: In Windows XP I went to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services and in the right pane pressed STOP for "WinTools for IE Services." . . .I should have added:
Right click on the highlighted "Win Tools for IE Service," choose Properties, and under the General Tab choose the drop down menu and select Disable.

 SheharyaarSaahil

I have used McAfee for years (since 1995) but it has gotten more and more proprietary and does not give all the choices it once did, and it keeps on automatically updating (which is utterly disruptive on a dial-up connection - I will never be able to afford broadband). I know how to scan the system when I need to, I used to scan any executable file I downloaded, and updated regularly. I do not apprreciate McAfee taking over my system and giving me NO options as to how I want it configured. Its present configuration choices are a joke. I do not think it even disables the McAfee VirusScan shield when you select that supposed option.

I might apreciate McAfee if I had a T1 connection, a couple of Gigs of RAM, and used other than Adobe Graphics programs which demand a great deal of freed up workspace, and which do not cotton to being scanned every time I open a folder or save a file.

At the very least, I think McAfee should offer a different program for people who are familiar with computers and virus protection issues, instead of assuming that all of their customers haven't got a clue.

Microsoft has been doing the same thing, every new version of Word is maddeningly over-helpful and proprietary.

Fatal Exception:

Does Norton have a version that can be tweaked?

Thanks!

Karla

Well i dont have that bitter experinces with Mcafee, the reason can be i use it on my home networking with just two systems linked to each other :)

All the Antivirus creators now are assuming that the user cannot be trusted with the settings...  however, the basic Norton does allow some control, but you are constantly being warned about services not running..  

KarlaButler,,,,, any progress.... if u still having the problem then plzz come back and tell us, otehrwise if it is solved u can close this question, for more info. on how to close a Question, plzz refer here >> http://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hs5

!! THANX !!

Yes, the problem was solved.

What am I supposed to do? I commented up above that I answered my own question and that none of the suggestions worked. How can I give points to anyone?

I tried everything both comments suggested and then had to solve  the problem another way. I do not need to request a refund, because I was not paying for it, I have an accumulation of points since I first joined. Is it right to give points when there was no viable answer?

I said thank you for your contributions, but I do not see how I can honestly accept either one.

well if u feel that u shud get a refund then u can goto Support area and can ask a moderator to refund the points for this question and close this one for u :)
for more info. on how to close a Question, plzz refer here >> http://www.experts-exchange.com/help.jsp#hs5