Windows Installer Hangs/Folder Properties Don't Display

[DesFox]

Dell desktop, Windows XP Pro (SP2), 3g Proc, 1gb ram, 160gb hdd. Norton Security Suite.

Few months ago

1.) Started to experience long shutdowns. (real long)
2.) Excel(tm) would not start. (it would hang during virus scan)
3.) Turning off Norton Security, leaving anti-virus enabled clears this up.
4.) Reluctant to uninstall Norton due to known issues.

Few months later.

1.) Copying some folders to a flash drive. Right click to bring up properties dialogue (checking how much I was copying) and nothing. Brief activity and no dialogue.
2.) Right click on My Computer, more activity but no display of System, etc.
3.) Go to shutdown PC. rundll32.exe not responding end now?
4.) Try to install iIpod software updater. Configures and prepares to installs and then hangs. I can end the process and get a failure to install warning.
5.) Same result with iTunes.
6.) Tried to uninstall a few misc applications, any of those running the Windows installer hangs as well.
7.) Try to update my Windows Installer. It hangs on creating a restore point.

A few weeks later.. (last night)

1.) Properties was suddenly working. (folders and my computer).
2.) Ran iPod software updater installer and it worked!
3.) Restarted PC and back to same thing. (no dialogue on folders when right clicking, run32dll.exe getting stuck when right clicking on my computer.
4.) The only thing I did differently yesterday is running Remote Desktop for one of my clients. Other than that no different than any other day.

Any suggestions? How to troubleshoot?

TIA,
Desmond

 

[linney]

The only thing I did differently yesterday is running Remote Desktop for one of my clients".

Try that again and see what happens?

May be it is time to consider removing Norton Security and looking for a better alternative. You hear so many bad things about Norton and McAfee in this forum, you can do a search for them if you like.

To get further information about the error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. number and search for it on these sites.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr.../prodtechnol/winxppro/support/EE_winxppro.asp

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

If the errors occurred after installing a device driver or application, try using Safe Mode and removing the driver or program.

To check your RAM.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

To check your Hard Drive.

The drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software to check your drive for problems.

You can also load the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to check for problems. (Or read later how to run it via Windows).

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

To check your drivers.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

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

To check conflicting software.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Will check your computer for spyware and adware.



See if you have any services that are flagging as "Starting" but not actually running.


Some general things to try.

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

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try another user in case your profile is corrupt.

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.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself 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