Explorer Freezes for 1 second when browsing a new folder...can anyone help with this?

[h.d. case]

every time i browse a folder there is a 1 second freeze on the system.
during this freeze, i cannot move the mouse. i've search all over the net
and on Kelly's Corner, but i cannot find a solution. i've defragged my hard
disk, reduced windows xp effects, etc. but the problem remains!

i've even deselected "Tools|Folder Options|View|Automatically search for
network folders and printers" and other related Explorer options, but the
problem is still there.

can anyone help with this? Kelly? any thoughts?

i have a radeon 7000 and an Athlon XP 2400+ CPU with 256MB of RAM. My HD is
a 40GB Maxtor and is otherwise fast with ATA100.

all suggestions are appreciated.

hdc

 

[cimex]

-Has this always been the case?
-If not, what system changes preceded the start of this phenomen?
-What happens in Task Manager when Explorer freezes?

 

[h.d. case]

solved it,

solution was in System Properties / Advanced / Settings / Visual Effects /
Use Common Tasks In Folders.

after disabling this, all was well.

thanks to those who considered a response,

hdc