Computer freeze-up when right-clicking desktop icon

[pagjsp]

I'm using Win 2K SP4, all the latest patches. When I right-click on a desktop icon, or even right-click on an icon in the Start Menu task bar, the system locks up, with the hour glass visible. Using ctrl+alt+del to bring up Task Manager shows explorer consuming 98%-100% of cpu. The only way to get the system un-hung is to activate Task Manager again and do a re-boot. Anybody else seen this behaviour? I've had this problem for some time, but don't recall this happening prior to service pack 4.

Thanks

 

[Frank4d]

I have seen this occur on systems that have Webroot Spysweeper installed. Solution is to open Spysweeper Options and uncheck the box for Add spysweeper to windows context menu.

Other context menu items can also cause this behavior though.

 

[pagjsp]

I do have Spy Sweeper installed, but that option was not checked, and Spy Sweeper is not active. Should I uninstall it? Also, is there a way to check for other context menu items? Thanks for your prompt reply.

 

[Frank4d]

Spysweeper will not cause the problem you described unless the add to context menu option is checked. No need to un-install it.

 

[pagjsp]

Ok - any other ideas? Thanks

 

[pagjsp]

A wierd thing. When I activated Spy Sweeper to check the setting you mentioned, I updated it via the web. Just now when I tried right-clicking on the desktop icons, the problem does not occur. Maybe that fixed it? If so, many thanks!

 

[Frank4d]

It's a known problem with older versions. So Webroot may have fixed it.

 

[pagjsp]

We gave ourselves a pat on the back too soon. It happened again, so I uninstalled Spy Sweeper, to no avail. Oh well.

Thanks again.