Windows Explorer Hangs 1

[blopez]

My computer has starting acting funny this weekend. My windows exlorer is hanging when I click on a file. For example, I will open Windows Explorer and browse to my D:/ drive and I double click on an Mp3 to play it, the system will just hang. The mp3 doesn't play and I can't close Windows Explorer. All other applications that are running are still working fine and I am able to open other windows, but the only way to close the Windows Explorer is to end task in task manager. The same thing will happen if I right click on the file. Say I want to delete a file on my F:/ drive. I browse to the file in Explorer and then once I right click it hangs and I can't do anything. I am running Windows 2000 pro. with SP2. I have reinstalled SP2. Any ideas?

 

[GlenJohnson]

A funny Explorer is an indication of a virus. Whenever I have problems with it, that's the first thing I check. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional

"Things are not always as they seem;
the first appearance deceives many."
Phaedrus (15BC - 50AD) Roman poet, short-story writer

 

[blopez]

Yea... That's what I though too. I have run several Virus Scans on the computer and found nothing so far. I am going to make sure my virus scan is up to date and run it again. Thanks.

 

[ocellatus]

I've been having the same problem - explorer hangs when I select a SINGLE mp3 (or other media file, such as avi or mpg)...
it seems to hang when you select an item to view its information (right below the folder heading it says "select an item to view its description&quot. Once a file is selected, it displays title, type of document, size, etc.

BUT, when the file selected is a media file, this information is never displayed and explorer freezes. Other applications will still run fine, and the folder can be shut down via task manager (reports it as "not responding&quot.

If multiple media files are selected at the same time, explorer does not freeze (just lists "## items selected, total size, etc).

Not had any viruses I know of (ever, actually), and have just this week ran McAfee virus scan with most recent virus definitions.

This is on Win2000 Pro w/ SP3.

 

[Guest_imported]

I believe this is a registry problem.. how many different apps do you have installed to play .mp3 files? Keep your system clean, and, unless you are in a business environment, where things like .mp3 files are not a problem, because they are not permitted, do not use Windows 2000. It is not a 'fun' OS. XP is a better choice if you intend to use the PC for entertainment, and can handle previewing of multimedia files much better. Just don't think you will be able to run a bunch of graphics intensive games on it. If you want to do that, you better just stay with 98 for now. Just my opinion.. having used every MS OS in existence.

 

[GlenJohnson]

Still believe W2k is best ms came up with. Little trick I was told about, but can't verify since I haven't had to try it. Using the standard MS backup, backup your system state to the root of c:\, so if you have problems with the registry, if you can boot to safe mode, you can re-install the old registry. Again, haven't had to try it, (Knock on wood), but it can't hurt. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com


"Patience is more powerful than force."
Plutarch (46-125 A.D.);

 

[ocellatus]

I agree - I thought it was likely a registry problem. I noticed the problem sometime AFTER making the following changes:

1. SP2-->SP3
2. Uninstalled MusicMatch Jukebox
3. Installed ASPI 4.71 from Adaptec (needed for some CD-->mp3 ripping software)
4. Installing and then uninstalling "Cronic" (what turned out to be poor ripping software)
5. Installing CDex (what turned out to be much better CD ripping software

Too many variables - because of all the media software changes, I figured one of the programs screwed up registry settings related to media files. I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling programs like Windows Media Player and Winamp with no success.

The only thing that prevents this from happening is to disable web content in folders option (view as classic windows folders).

Tristan

 

[GlenJohnson]

Have you run sfc from a dos prompt? This checks your registry and tell you if everything is kosher from MS's standpoint. (Don't know what it does with other add-on's.)
Dump sp3. Causing way to many problems from what I'm hearing. Glen A. Johnson
Microsoft Certified Professional
glen@nellsgiftbox.com


"Patience is more powerful than force."
Plutarch (46-125 A.D.);

 

[ocellatus]

I'd love to uninstall SP3, but I went to control panel --> add/remove programs and couldn't find it listed (this >is< while in an administrator account). This is how the microsoft website explains to uninstall SP3... is there some other way to uninstall SP3?

I tried the sfc command, but unfortunately it requires the windows 2000 professional CD. My OEM version of Win2000 Pro didn't provide the disc (it's stored in a directory on the HD). Is there any way to trick sfc into getting the files from there instead of from the disc? It asked for the windows 2000 disc dozens of times (giving the option to skip that particular file)...So I assume this means there are many dll files the sfc program is trying to correct... whether they really are screwed up is another question.

I don't even know if this will work nor do I really even care if I fix the original problem anymore. This has become more of a &quot;let's see how much I can learn about windows 2000&quot; expedition. So it goes...

Regardless, your help is much appreciated...

 

[DLiNKWiT27]

I am also having the same problems. It started jsut a few days ago. I am down to WinAmp and WindowsMP as my programs that play music. I don't knwo what the sfc thing is, so i can't do that. I am going to just re-install windows if i can't get this fixed. How do i uninstall SP3? (this happened before i installe sp3)