HELP!! explorer.exe taking all memory

[Guest]

I need help with this and all I have read in related threads were of no use.
The problem is that after using my computer for a few minutes, I am not able
to open anything due to not enough memory (the actual message is very
similar, but can't remember it). When I open the task manager (which is the
only thing that I can open) I see that "explorer.exe" is taking at least 50%
of the CPU usage.
I just upgraded my system to a whole new one (motherboard - MSI k8n Neo4
Platinum, processor - AMD Athlon 64 3800+ X2, memory - x2 1 gb 128 bit, video
card - Geforce 6800 GT), but I never had this problem when I was running my
old system. Is there a solution to my problem? Your input will be apreciated,
thanks.

P.S. If you need more info on other programs that I am running, let me know.

 

[Malke]

I need help with this and all I have read in related threads were of
no use. The problem is that after using my computer for a few minutes,
I am not able to open anything due to not enough memory (the actual
message is very similar, but can't remember it). When I open the task
manager (which is the only thing that I can open) I see that
"explorer.exe" is taking at least 50% of the CPU usage.
I just upgraded my system to a whole new one (motherboard - MSI k8n
Neo4 Platinum, processor - AMD Athlon 64 3800+ X2, memory - x2 1 gb
128 bit, video card - Geforce 6800 GT), but I never had this problem
when I was running my old system. Is there a solution to my problem?
Your input will be apreciated, thanks.

P.S. If you need more info on other programs that I am running, let me
know.

When you upgraded your system, did you do a Repair Install and then
install all the drivers for your hardware, including the new
motherboard? If not, do that.

Make sure the computer is 100% virus/malware-free:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

If the computer is clean and you did install the right drivers, do
clean-boot troubleshooting:
Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

Malke

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Malke

I am reading what the Mexican says as being new hardware. Not a lot of
the original hardware remaining. Wouldn't that means a clean install of
Windows XP not a Repair Install?

Your points about malware and drivers nevertheless would still apply!

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

I have tried what Malke said, but I still get the same problem. All I have
from the old system is the HD and the DVD-RW drives. Also, I did a clean
install when I started using the new system. Do I need to use a Windows x64
installation? Thanks for all your help.

Andres "The Mexican"

 

[Unk]

I need help with this and all I have read in related threads were of no use.
The problem is that after using my computer for a few minutes, I am not able
to open anything due to not enough memory (the actual message is very
similar, but can't remember it). When I open the task manager (which is the
only thing that I can open) I see that "explorer.exe" is taking at least 50%
of the CPU usage.
I just upgraded my system to a whole new one (motherboard - MSI k8n Neo4
Platinum, processor - AMD Athlon 64 3800+ X2, memory - x2 1 gb 128 bit, video
card - Geforce 6800 GT), but I never had this problem when I was running my
old system. Is there a solution to my problem? Your input will be apreciated,
thanks.

P.S. If you need more info on other programs that I am running, let me know.

My first impression is that the Windows install missed something and/or corrupted a system file
during the installation copy process. Since this is a new install of Windows, it's foolish to
try and troubleshoot a stubborn problem when you could simply start over and do a fresh install
in under an hour. Since you're using the old hard drive, I would also do a Full format during
the install instead of a Quick format in case there are errors on the hard drive. A full format
will allocate any bad sectors as non-useable. If the format shows any bad sectors, you might
want to consider getting a new drive. Bad sectors usually mean things will get worse...