sluggish / freezing explorer

[Zeev]

WIN2000 Pro, SP4

I did something weird (left-clicked and dragged by mistake
around the top-left corner of an open windows explorer (not
IE) window where the icon is) and since then the system
started to behave strangely. I rebooted, but the strange
behavior continues.

1) I open explorer and right-click on any item -- folder of
file : cursor chganges to hourglass for easily 30 seconds,
and only then the menu unfolds. All other apps work OK
meanwhile, but explorer is frozen.

2) I right-click on any of the "fast launch" icons on the
windows toolbar - same behavior: hourglass on the toolbar
for like 30 secs, and only then application launches. Once
lanuched, it works normally.

Running task-manager in parallel and sorting by CPU shows
CRSS getting couple of percent of cpu during such freezing
interval, but only once-twice during the period (task
manager update speed at high). Nothing else.

Any ideas? Please email directly too, as finding something
in the forum is a bit of a hassle.

Ze'ev

 

[dcdon]

WIN2000 Pro, SP4

I did something weird (left-clicked and dragged by mistake
around the top-left corner of an open windows explorer (not
IE) window where the icon is) and since then the system
started to behave strangely. I rebooted, but the strange
behavior continues.

1) I open explorer and right-click on any item -- folder of
file : cursor chganges to hourglass for easily 30 seconds,
and only then the menu unfolds. All other apps work OK
meanwhile, but explorer is frozen.

2) I right-click on any of the "fast launch" icons on the
windows toolbar - same behavior: hourglass on the toolbar
for like 30 secs, and only then application launches. Once
lanuched, it works normally.

Running task-manager in parallel and sorting by CPU shows
CRSS getting couple of percent of cpu during such freezing
interval, but only once-twice during the period (task
manager update speed at high). Nothing else.

Any ideas? Please email directly too, as finding something
in the forum is a bit of a hassle.

Ze'ev
==================

I think you would do well to run and online virus check.
Here's a good one.
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/
After you are through, if you have anything, use Google and
search for the infection. Print it and go line by line to
fix it. I would look for the Symantec fix sheets. They are
usually very thorough.

If you don't have an infection.
Do this...

Start
Run...
"type" SFC /SCANNOW <enter>

after that
"type" CHKDSK /V <enter>


If it's still not fixed, do this
Start in Safe Mode
Last known Good Configuration


If that doesn't fix it
Change your first boot order device to CD-ROM in the BIOS
restart after placing your Installation CD in the tray
It will load all of the files contained in the four boot
diskettes
And will finally ask you I you want to yada-yada
Choose #2 "Repair"
Go all through that.


If that doesn't fixit
Come back and chew me out and then do an inplace upgrade
Same thing you did last, but choose install and go through
the rest of the prompts until it will come to one last
choice of "repair" or install; then choose "REPAIR"
You will need your CD Key number. This basically a
reinstallation of your OS, without losing you data.
Although you will need to go back and reinstall your SP4 (or
whatever) and each Security Patch, but it damn sure should
be fixed then.

--
Best regards,
don
Please reply in the NG
Email on auto delete,

" Do a kind deed for someone less fortunate everyday."
"When you do, it will warm God's heart"

 

[GKC]

Hi Zeev,
My system started to do exactly the same thing (sounds like about the same
time you encountered it.). In addition I'm getting a lot of other strange
behavior. I get a clean virus scan but it sure does sound like a virus. I'd
like to explore this possibility before I do a repair install of Win2000. If
you are willing to compare notes reply to me directly and we can compare
attachments opened, etc. (i.e. use the "Reply" icon rather than the "Reply
Group" icon.)

GKC

 

[dcdon]

Good luck guys,
Would you let us hear from you?
thanks,
don

================

Hi Zeev,
My system started to do exactly the same thing (sounds like
about the same
time you encountered it.). In addition I'm getting a lot of
other strange
behavior. I get a clean virus scan but it sure does sound
like a virus. I'd
like to explore this possibility before I do a repair
install of Win2000. If
you are willing to compare notes reply to me directly and we
can compare
attachments opened, etc. (i.e. use the "Reply" icon rather
than the "Reply
Group" icon.)

GKC

 

[GKC]

As everyone in the world has probably already seen, the problem is a faulty
update from Norton AntiVirus. See later threads on this subject for the fix.