Picture files take a long time to open

[Glenna]

I have recently started have a problem when trying to do
anything with a picture file. It doesn't matter if I
right or left click on the file it takes anywhere from 30
to 45 seconds for anything to happen. Does anyone have
any idea what could be causing this? I am running WinXP
Home SP1 on a Pentium 4 2.52GHz with 512 MBs of RAM. I
just updated my video drivers, which I do regularly as
well as the windows updates. I have over 1GB in MY
Pictures folder but it doesn't matter where the picture
is it still takes forever to open. Thanks for any help
anyone can give me. Glenna

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Can you think of anything you might have done, installed something, removed
something, just before this began.

Since it's a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time prior to when this began. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore.

 

[Guest]

Hi Michael, Well I tried the System Restore in fact I restored back to three different times, one week, two weeks and one month ago but the problem was still there. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks
Glenna

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

It may be the amount of graphics files you have in that folder or even on
the system, it might be any number of things. You might try removing and
reinstalling the application that opens those files.

Also, to play safe you should make sure your antivirus app is up to date and
run a scan on your system. Also, check for malware, download, install and
run Ad Aware: www.lavasoftusa.com

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

One other question, how much memory on your graphics card and is it sharing
memory with main system memory or does it have its own memory.

 

[Guest]

Hi Michael, The video card I have is an Nvidia gforce Ti 4200 with 128 MB of RAM (Bus- AGP 4X and DirectX 9.0). IMy Norton Antivirus is always up to date and I also run Ad Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy as well as Spyblaster. I also have Zonealarm Pro as well as a router. I usually use Microsoft Picture and Fax Viewer to open the pictures when I just want to look at it. I use Photoshop Elements 2 to edit photos. I don't have to wait for pictures to open when I'm using Elements, they open immediately so it's only when I want to look at any picture just by clicking on it that it takes so long to open. Do you think I need to reinstall the Picture and Fax viewer? If so how, I can't remember if it came with XP or I downloaded it! I did a search for it but nothing came up so I'm at a loss. Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it. Glenna

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

It came with XP. Try checking the Event Viewer for errors that correspond
to when you use Picture and Fax Viewer to open photos. If you see any
double click the error, the information within may give a clue as to the
source of the issue.

Try the following:

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

Also, make sure your drivers are up to date, especially for your graphics
card and soundcard.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Actually, I'm a little hesitant with regard to the drivers for your Geforce
card. nVidia is notorious for releasing drivers with issues. However, if
you updated the drivers recently, they could be the source of the issue.

Any other changes, installs, uninstalls you might have done that may have
preceded the beginning of this issue?