callistodesign
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WINDOWS VISTA EXPLORER HANGS REQUIRING CONSTANT REBOOTS
Windows Explorer on my HP G70 laptop has started hanging when reading folder contents. When this happens (which is VERY often) the green progress bar in the address bar starts running from left to right but gets progressively slower and never quite completes it progress to the right hand end. The folder I was trying to open does not open. This is usually accompanied by a siginifcant increase in fan noise and 100% CPU usage.
Sometimes I can kill the process by clicking on the X in the window title bar, sometimes I have to resort to an 'end task' in the Task Manager Applications tab. Either way, once I have killed it, if I try to reopen Explorer it puts up a window 'frame' but refuses to populate it or work again (or any other task that uses Explorer's UI - like Control Panel).
BTW once the Explorer has been shut down Windows Explorer remains in the Task Manager Process list showing 98% processor usage. The fan noise and CPU usage continue unabated.
If I kill Explorer in the Task Manager Processes tab, the system settles back down but of course the desktop disappears!! Only solution then is to reboot but you just know you'll be back here again very soon. Argghhh!!!
I can think of no good reason why this happening. No new software installed. Virus Scan clear. All available Microsoft and HP updates installed.
I have come across this behaviour before on another Vista Home Premium machine but as it was brand new at the time we did a full system restore and the problem went away. This current PC is heavily used for business and a full restore would require all the business apps to be rebuilt which takes about 2 days, so I'd rather get to the root cause rather than blitz it. Any help greatly appreciated.
Sometimes I can kill the process by clicking on the X in the window title bar, sometimes I have to resort to an 'end task' in the Task Manager Applications tab. Either way, once I have killed it, if I try to reopen Explorer it puts up a window 'frame' but refuses to populate it or work again (or any other task that uses Explorer's UI - like Control Panel).
BTW once the Explorer has been shut down Windows Explorer remains in the Task Manager Process list showing 98% processor usage. The fan noise and CPU usage continue unabated.
If I kill Explorer in the Task Manager Processes tab, the system settles back down but of course the desktop disappears!! Only solution then is to reboot but you just know you'll be back here again very soon. Argghhh!!!
I can think of no good reason why this happening. No new software installed. Virus Scan clear. All available Microsoft and HP updates installed.
I have come across this behaviour before on another Vista Home Premium machine but as it was brand new at the time we did a full system restore and the problem went away. This current PC is heavily used for business and a full restore would require all the business apps to be rebuilt which takes about 2 days, so I'd rather get to the root cause rather than blitz it. Any help greatly appreciated.
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Thanks for the input everyone. Running CHKDSK at the moment and will then move on to look at Torimar's suggestion. Getting very late here now so likely to be trying that tomorrow morning. I'll get back to you with the results.
ASKER
Employing this approach appears to have resolved the issue. Folders now open blindingly quickly. Thank you for your insight Torimar, although I'm puzzled as to why Visat should suffer like this - XP doesn't grind to a halt in similar circumstances. Another case of Microsoft being too clever for their own good?
CHKDSK and events logs revealed nothing of note by the way, but gamma1983 was right to remind me it's always a good place to start.
Many thanks for your help.
CHKDSK and events logs revealed nothing of note by the way, but gamma1983 was right to remind me it's always a good place to start.
Many thanks for your help.
start --> run ---> chkdsk c: /r
it will ask you to run this on the next reboot. say yes
reboot machine.
see if it changes anything