Win Explorer won't start from menu; proxy desktop won't close

[Michael]

Win Explorer won't start from menu.
proxy desktop won't close.

These two problems seem related (because they only occur
together).

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP1.

I can always open Windows Explorer without problems by
right-clicking on the desktop My Computer icon, then
clicking Open or Explore.

For the last few months, I've NEVER been able to open
Windows Explorer using the Start Menu item. If I click it,
the machine seems to consider the matter briefly, then I
see nothing -- neither the Explorer window nor any
message.

Also, if I bring up the Properties dialog for any Start
Menu item, pressing the Find Target button gets no
response (though Change Icon still works, as does the
Browse button in the Change Icon dialog).

Then, every time I shut down Windows AFTER I've tried to
open Windows Explorer using the Start Menu item, I get a
message that "Proxy Desktop" is not responding. Then I
have to use End Program to get Windows to proceed with
Shutdown.

A Knowledge Base search for "Proxy Desktop" turns up
nothing. I haven't installed a program by that name.
Spyware and virus checkers find nothing wrong.

Help would be appreciated, also a copy of any response to
my email address above.

 

[chubby541]

I have the same probelm with xp home. I started after I installed a dv
burner and some software, studio 8 , windvd and more.

Please help.

Th
-
chubby54

 

[jpepe3691]

*Win Explorer won't start from menu.
proxy desktop won't close.

These two problems seem related (because they only occur
together).

I'm running Windows XP Pro SP1.

I can always open Windows Explorer without problems by
right-clicking on the desktop My Computer icon, then
clicking Open or Explore.

For the last few months, I've NEVER been able to open
Windows Explorer using the Start Menu item. If I click it,
the machine seems to consider the matter briefly, then I
see nothing -- neither the Explorer window nor any
message.

Also, if I bring up the Properties dialog for any Start
Menu item, pressing the Find Target button gets no
response (though Change Icon still works, as does the
Browse button in the Change Icon dialog).

Then, every time I shut down Windows AFTER I've tried to
open Windows Explorer using the Start Menu item, I get a
message that "Proxy Desktop" is not responding. Then I
have to use End Program to get Windows to proceed with
Shutdown.

A Knowledge Base search for "Proxy Desktop" turns up
nothing. I haven't installed a program by that name.
Spyware and virus checkers find nothing wrong.

Help would be appreciated, also a copy of any response to
my email address above. *

Responding to Michael's original post about the Windows "end progra
Proxy Desktop not responding" error when trying to close or restar
Windows, and Windows Explorer not starting up from the star
menu........

I had the same problem with Win XP Pro
Went through the same steps- (McAfee Virus scan, tried differen
restore points, since I just finished installing a bunch of programs
like My DVD, Show Biz, Record Now- still no go. Now, I am not EXACTL
SURE what SPECIFICALLY got rid of the End Program Proxy Desktop no
responding, but here are my final steps prior to curing this problem:
1. Looked at the cookies on my machine, and started deleting th
"suspicious" ones- anything that I thought were adware or spywar
relating, or simply ones that I didn't recognize.

2. Matrox has something called Matrox Power Desk-HF, and I had selecte
"save icons and desktop positions".
I shut that off (default)

3. Finally, (and I really think THIS is what actually cured it), whe
I tried to restart Windows, and got the End Program error, I went int
task manager (ctrl alt delete), went into PROCESSES, and starte
ending all the instances of explorer.exe that were using 0 me
resources. I THINK I did NOT end task on the "active one" using memor
resources. I figured that was the "good one" . Well, by doing that
had about 4 or 5 explorer.exe's on my task bar at the bottom, an
started closing them, and up popped a message from Windows sayin
something about being unable to find the target file for M
DOCUMENTS!!??? I clicked on DEFAULT, and WALLAH! Windows Explorer
Control Panel (which I put on the desktop) worked EVERY TIME from th
desktop or start menu!!! (You know, come to think of it, everytime yo
open up Windows Explorer, it DOES use My Documents as the defaul
folder to start on). Hmmmmm.......?????
Hope this helps. Sorry if it doesn't sound too "scientific" but i
worked!
(e-mail address removed)
-
jpepe369

 

[LorettoBoy]

I am using XP Home set up for multiple users. I am the only user tha
experienced this problem. It also corresponds with an inability fo
shortcuts that point to folders to work, which means links to explore
on the Start menu (My Documents, etc.) will not work. Because th
problem did not exist for other users on the same machine I changed al
of my visual settings to their default settings. Used the Windows X
theme, returned to default settings for folder views, etc. Bot
problems ended

-
LorettoBo

 

[LorettoBoy]

I am using XP Home set up for multiple users. I am the only user tha
experienced this problem. It also corresponds with an inability fo
shortcuts that point to folders to work, which means links to explore
on the Start menu (My Documents, etc.) will not work. Because th
problem did not exist for other users on the same machine I changed al
of my visual settings to their default settings. Used the Windows X
theme, returned to default settings for folder views, etc. Bot
problems ended

-
LorettoBo

 

[LorettoBoy]

I am using XP Home set up for multiple users. I am the only user tha
experienced this problem. It also corresponds with an inability fo
shortcuts that point to folders to work, which means links to explore
on the Start menu (My Documents, etc.) will not work. Because th
problem did not exist for other users on the same machine I changed al
of my visual settings to their default settings. Used the Windows X
theme, returned to default settings for folder views, etc. Bot
problems ended

-
LorettoBo