SLOW explorer !? 5

[J741]

Recently, when I use windows' explorer to browse folders on my hard drive, it often takes more than 5 minutes to display the folder contents. During this time, I can not open Internet Explorer, or any other program, but I can alt-tab between programs which are already open, and use the already active programs without any major problems, unless I want to open or save a file. This is extremely annoying.

This issue seems to have begun about a month ago, and gets worse daily. I have run multiple diagnostics tools and utilitiy programs on my system to try and isolate the source of the problem, but have not yet been successful. The system is normaly very fast and responsive. It is only when exploring hard drive folders that the system seems to have a problem.

Anyone out there got any ideas about this one?

- James.

 

[gpalmer711]

I know the artical that follows relates to "My Computer" but see if it helps

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819017

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[linney]

822430 - Windows Stops Responding When You Click a Large AVI File in Windows Explorer

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822430&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

There is a bug in XP in handling AVI files, where the file is corrupt or broken, causing explorer to read the whole file looking for index or property details.

It has been suggested to correct this misbehavior in Windows XP, remove the following registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}\InProcServer32

This will prevent Explorer from loading shmedia.dll in response to file property queries on these files.

 

[J741]

Thanks guys, I'll try that. But Linney, the info you provided referes to a situation when an .AVI file is selected, not when a folder is browsed. Is there some association between the two?

- James.

 

[bfralia]

I've had this problem on occasion when I've got a lot of stuff open then open explorer. The problem could be memory and something happened to up the memory usage like a Microsoft Auto Update.

Look at task manager and see how much memory you're using vs how much memory you have.

I resolved my problem by increasing memory.

 

[J741]

512MB RAM in the PC. 312MB in use.

Lot's of free memory available.

- James.

 

[linney]

Probably not, but just add it to the list of what can cause Explorer to shoot up to 100% CPU use.

Have you tried your luck in Safe Mode?

Anything in the Event Viewer?

What are Good Virus/Spyware?Update/Firewall Practices?
faq779-5240

windows XP running very slow
thread779-796508

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[bcastner]

Let me add the "sometimes" possibilities, although I believe this is a malware issue for the orgininal poster.

1. WIA and USB device issues:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819017

2. Media files, such as .AVI files
You can have millions of these on your hard disk drive, but trying an Explorer operation (copy, move, rename, delete) can lead to very high CPU ussage or a seeming lockup of your computer.

Use either of these methods to resolve the issue:

. Start,Run, Type: regedit
Scroll down to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}
Find this key:
InProcServer32
and delete it.

. Start, Run, regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll

3. Shell Overhead -- reduce it

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819101

4. If you are on a network, a quick fix:
Open up the Registry and go to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Explorer/RemoteComputer/NameSpace

Under that branch, select the key :
{D6277990-4C6A-11CF-8D87-00AA0060F5BF}
and delete it.

 

[J741]

Thanks Linney. Your suggestion (822430) seems to have done the trick, although I'm not sure why as I didn't select an .AVI file but only browsed the folder. No matter, it's working now and that's all that matters.

- James.

 

[bcastner]

J741,

To help us all, what is by linney: "Your suggestion (822430) seems to have done the trick." ?

 

[bcastner]

Figured out (822430)

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;822430

I would not call MSFT for this Hotfix. Please wait until Service Pack 2 is available, which should be very soon.

 

[valhalla3]

Hi,

This site's layout has been difficult to find things. So I'm sending my message here as a starting point. I don't know who is even going to get this given the way the site is set up. The site is free so I don't mean to complain. I'm just frustrated that it was not laid out better.

I have seen a similar problem with XP being very slow in file operations. I have one folder that does have subfolders with total size of about 9GB. Some of those folders are large like 200mb to even 1.5 gb. When I try to open the parent folder it takes about 6 minutes to open up displaying all the subfolders at the next level under it. I have the same situation on my laptop and another desktop that are using Windows 98 and they are slower computers but they open up quickly by comparison. Once it opens then it's ok, but if I closed and reopened Explorer and opened that folder again it would take a long time.

I also have noticed that a picture viewing program that I use called Vueprint displays images much more slowly than than on my older, slower laptop and other desktop using 98.

What's the problem with XP? I thought it was supposed to be this great OS. It seems to have more bugs than Okin or Terminex!

Can you let me know what you found out and give me some info on navigating this site?

Thanks!

Randy

 

[lucasm]

I had a similar problem with one parent folder which contained 13 subfolders each holding audiobook cd's ripped to mp3 - whenever I opened the parent folder in explorer it would delay and take about 20-30 seconds to display the subfolders (not as bad as some others have had to wait)
The other problem i had was burning these folders to a dvd data disk, some of the folders were burning as empty folders no matter what process I used - until I decided to create the folders within the Nero disc layout window and then drag the mp3s into them, and it still took 4 times as long to burn as it should have. It seemed like there was some kind of corruption happening with those folders.

 

[remaxcentral]

When I ran into this problem with one of our graphic designers, running Stinger corrected the problem

 

[gpalmer711]

Randy,
Have you followed the advice given in this thread? Especially the advice give by Linney and bcastner? If not follow it, it is likely to solve your problem.

As for the sites layout, this week it has been going through a major redevelopment, many of the features are not working and the site has been down alot. However this is not the norm and I am yet to find a free forum that has the features and is layout as straight forward as this one.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[linney]

valhalla3,

Have you tried the fix mentioned above (and also the registry change)?

Also try these.

A suggested workaround: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to
the key below and delete the default data (right pane).

For AVI's

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\
shellex\PropertyHandler

For MP3's

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mp3\shellex\PropertyHandler

Note: Make a backup of each key before editing.


Have a look around these links.

Select a file - windows stops.
Thread779-422825

Have you tried the Windows 98 Compatibility Mode for your Vuepoint program?
Type - Getting older programs to run on Windows XP - in the Help and Support program for the basics.

How to Use Windows Application Compatibility Mode.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/itpro/compatibility/apcompatmode.asp

The problems you are having with this site are only (I hope) temporary while the site is undergoing a major update to its setup and design. There are teething problems which are currently being worked on by the site management.

 

[valhalla3]

Thanks for the response and the help!

Osprey had thanked Linny for the suggestions that helped him with the similar problem but he didn't mentioned specifically which suggestion had worked...

If I change the avi and mpg entries in the registry will that affect avi's or mpg's to play or be recognized by their extensions?

Also I've noticed that once a program like explorer, Thumbs Plus or anything that displays the file structure, actually goes through the time consuming process of displaying or indexing the files and folders, that any similar program will display the offending folder quickly as you would expect. It seems like XP is trying to index the files in the folders even though I did not select that option for that folder.

I jsut noticed that Vue Print will open the same problem or offending folder instantly with access to the files. It appears the Explorer and Thumbs Plus are the ones that take forever to open it. Does that shed any additional light on the real problem?

Thanks!

Val

 

[gpalmer711]

If it is avi files we are talking about then the problem is the way windows reads the Index of the avi file. If the index is corrupt or if a unknown/hacked codec then windows will get stuck in a loop trying to read the same part.

The following registry edit is the one i have found helps most often

It has been suggested to correct this misbehavior in Windows XP, remove the following registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{87D62D94-71B3-4b9a-9489-5FE6850DC73E}\InProcServer32

This will prevent Explorer from loading shmedia.dll in response to file property queries on these files.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[acunconga]

Hi There

I have a similar problem running WIN 2k Server. I'm using an Lg 4081-gs DVD-RAM drive on a HP Server. The formatting software is WriteDVD ver 5.0.1.4 using a UDF 1.5 format. The server is constantly archiving data to the DVD-RAM. My problem is when I attempt to open Explorer or My Computer, The system seems to freeze or slow up. Restarting explorer from Task Manager seems to have no effect and the only way to recover is to hard boot the system.

Any help on this issue would be most appreciated

AC

 

[perltastic]

After cleaning of spyware and adware, virus checking and following many of the above suggestions, I found my Windows Explorere still took yonks to open folders. Then I read as someone suggested

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819017

Because I reinstalled everything, Windows automatically detected my USB scanner. I thought great! i wont need to fill up with additional files by installing the vendor drivers, especially seeing as the Scanner was working pefectly well. However the above article listed my scanner and I thought why not give the vendor drivers a go. Found they were newer than the ones that came with windows, and so far touch wood everything is working a-OK, and no waiting of a million years for windows explorer to refresh or open a folder.

Explorer is still sluggish though with when opening a folder that has many files, some several bytes to several hundred megabytes. I split the folder content up into smaller sections my moving some files to sub folders. Its not the ideal solution as I want to keep the files under one folder. Any suggestions anyone? Read somewhere that this could be to do with the fact the partition where this is happening is FAT32 and that it could be sorted out by converting it to NTFS. Can anyone verify please?