Windows Explorer Issues

Hi i think that some application in your system causing that can you list what you have installed over there?

and also take a look in here see ifit's helping you
http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-9082-explorer-exe-corrupted-or-infected

In addition untill what date is your system updated to  (windows update) ?

The other thing that happens is that when my windows locks and I use CTRL+ALT+DEL to log back in, the desktop appears to be there, but the taskbar will not function for a minute or so.  Sometimes it's there and just doesn't work, and sometimes it doesn't appear at all until it's functional again.  When it's in its "dead" state, right-clicking on the taskbar gets you nothing.Once it actually wakes up, it works again just fine.

You said you have reload the operating system (Windows XP) TWICE; after your machine reloaded, what programs have you installed? Also, have you installed any of Printer or Scanner programs from a CD? I had a similar program before, and it was causing by HP printer programs.  

It seems as if an application or two is hogging your CPU that renders all other tasks unresponsive (until those "CPU hogs" completes).

The first thing I will usually check would be the Task Manager and see which application is hogging the CPU (and hopefully be able to End Process the application).  Another program I use is Process Explorer which allows me to suspend the suspicious applications (something I am unable to do with Task Manager).

Hopefully, this should give control back to you and troubleshoot why these applications cause such problems (and should they be even there in the first place).

Give us a snapshot of Task Manager or Process Explorer (or any program that could show you the currently running applications with information about how much CPU are they using).  We may be able to help you with these information.

I would have to agree with the above.  Something is hogging your CPU.  i have seen this with printers before.  Try uninstalling and removing all the printers and see if it resolves the issue.  

you may also want to try using MSconfig to prevent programs from starting automatically and then enabling them one at a time to see if you can pinpoint an app that is causing this.  

you mention you have reinstalled twice.  how long after a reinstall does it take for the issue to come back?  

The problem comes back immediately after I reinstall the software.  I have removed all software but those necessary to do my job.  I don't install garbage like Yahoo toolbars, webshots, or anything like that.  Looking at task manager and process explorer has done nothing to help me because when it's locked up and just sitting, I can't run either of them.  By the time I get them running, the problem is over.

A photo of the task manager and process explorer are attached.
task-manager.jpg
process-explorer.jpg

I'd be tempted to run the system file checker in force mode, you say you need all these programs running, to they all need to be running at start up, you have quite a few things running that dont need to be running all the the time?

I'd be tempted to run the system file checker in force mode, you say you need all these programs running, Do they all need to be running at start up?, you have quite a few things running that dont need to be running all the the time?

I have no idea how to run the system file checker in force mode.  What do you mean?

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/system_file_checker.mspx?mfr=true


Start - Run - SFC - OK

In addition, i have been though your processes and here are my opinions. If it was my machine, I would be opening MSCONFIG and clearing out the rubbish, I reacon your machine is running low on resources, also can you confirm you have loads of space left on your windows drive? This along with SFC should give some light.

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Java Updater - Doesnt need to be running all the time

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DWRCS.exe - Dameware - Does this need to be running all the time?
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pdvddxsrv.exe (Cyberlink PowerDVD) - Again doesnt need to be running un less you are using it all the time?

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Click yes - I have found this to be unreliable, and sometimes its easier to amend either the policy on the exchange server, or remove the patch that enables it on your machine in outlook

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alarmss.exe - does this need to be running at startup?

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am70snb20c.exe  No idea what this is, which concerns me all on its own

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If UNS.exe is located in a subfolder of "C:\Program Files\Common Files" then the security rating is 40% dangerous. File size is 2,058,776 bytes. The program has no visible window. UNS.exe is a Verisign signed file. UNS.exe is certified by a trustworthy company. File UNS.exe is not a Windows system file. The application uses ports to connect to LAN or Internet. UNS.exe is able to monitor applications.

Important: Some malware camouflage themselves as UNS.exe, particularly if they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder.
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I think filemakers was refering to sfc /scannow switch are you reloading as in fresh install of windows or are you doing the repair option?

When I reloaded, I formatted the c: drive and started over, installing each piece of software one at a time.  I've done that twice.  The sfc /scannow function just finished but didn't say anything at the end.  No success or failure message, so I'm assuming it worked correctly.

uninstall the clickonce software and restart your machine and see if it happens again,, had bad experiences wit that software, if that doesnt work, run msconfig and disable all none windows files, and then readd them one at a time until the error reoccurs, that will give you the definative answer as to whats causing it

Sorry I meant to disable disable all the non windows items from the Startup tab if you havent used msconfig before

You can also put Process Explorer on the StartUp folder and restart your computer.  Hopefully, upon start-up, we may be able to get a snapshot of what's happening. And you can see for yourself which program is hogging the system.

In taking the snapshot, wait for Process Explorer to appear. As soon as it appears, click on it to ensure it is the window in focus then press ALT+PrintScreen.  Wait until the problem goes away then paste the image on your favorite paint program.

Post a copy here or troubleshoot from there.

Before restarting, you may want to set Process Explorer as Always On Top (under the Options menu) and include the Command Line column (right click on the columns header and select Command Line).

Hopefully, as you restart your computer, Process Explorer will appear and show you what's happening (e.g. which program is hogging the computer during startup and where is the suspected program really located when it started acting up).

Hope this helps.

When you made format the second time or more didn't you go step by step to see in which step you get the errors, cause I recommend that as the best way for troubleshoot situations like this
Just go step by step and see what causing it from installed programs, configuration or any change you made.

if still you cant see what causing it i would suggest to examine the hardware starting from the RAM
here you can find a bootable CD for hardware tests
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

My money is still on the clickyes software

You mentioned the problem comes back after you reinstall the software.  After installing which software?

Does the problem occur with a clean install windows without adding any additional software printers or anything else?  You may want to add your programs one by one to pin down which is the one causing this.  Did you try removing the printers yet?  

So far, I've uninstalled the ClickYes software and removed non-Windows stuff from the startup tab in msconfig.  it's running smoothly this afternoon.  It's fooled me before so I'm not saying it's fixed yet.  But I'm going to give it a little workout before I try something different.