Windows Explorer and Control Panel Freezing Problem

L

Lynn

Hi there,

Using Windows XP Pro SP2 with all updates applied on a newly reformatted
hard drive.

When I select Start, then Control Panel, and choose an option (using XP
category view or original Windows layout format) I get the following error
message.

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
for the inconvenience.
If you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on
might be lost.
Please tell Microsoft about this problem.

So now I Send the information to MS.

If I click on the link for what the error report contains I see this:
Error Report Contents
Error Signature
AppName: explorer.exe
AppVer: 6.0.2900.2180
ModName: ntdll.dll
ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180
Offset: 0002ae22

If I go back and hit "Don't Send" then I get this next error message:

Explorer.exe - Application Error

The instruction at "0x7c91103c" referenced memory at "0x006c006f". The
memory could not be "written". Click on OK to terminate the program. So I
click on OK.

System now totally locked up. Have to hit "Reboot/Restart" button on CPU to
do same. The Ctrl-Alt-Del combination doesn't work.

I am totally puzzled as to why this is happening. I wondered if it had
something to do with my Freedom Software from ZeroKnowledge (now called
RadialPoint). I have their Antivirus, their internet security and also
their AntiSpyware. However, these were removed, and the problem continues.
Any ideas please on what might be causing this problem with Windows
Explorer? Is there a way in which I can repair it? What is causing the
memory problems?

I did a search on your HDD for *.cpl files as advised by another user.

I switched the Control Panel over to Windows Classic, went through
every icon by just clicking on it to open the application. Three problems
were found.

1. Fonts
2. Printers and Faxes
3. Scanners and Imaging

I have HP DeskJet 5650 printer and an HP ScanJet 3970 scanner. I
first noticed a problem when installing new fonts from my backup font
directory on my 2nd hard drive. That's when the error message originally
appeared. All the other icons in Control Panel appear to be fine.

I searched my C: drive (where XP is installed and all my other program
software). There were 92 files with *.cpl in a few different locations and
with different dates. The first part of the list looked exactly as it does
in Control Panel (Classic).

Both my printer and scanner are connected through USB connections
to/from the CPU. They are working fine. My video card is F900B on NVIDIA
GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X. Drivers are 71.89 version. Using LG 900B
Flatron monitor.

This Windows Explorer problem has only started in the past four weeks,
so I'm not sure if it's a Windows Update issue (set to Automatic).

Any ideas please? I assume that the Fonts issue (intermittent
problem) is somehow connected with the printers and scanner (permistent).
I'm suspicious as to whether this is a display driver issue. Hoping someone
with more expertise can guide me here as to how to proceed.

Thanks so much for any suggestions.
 
G

Gaga6

I've been having the exact same problem for months and haven't found a
resolution yet. Even had the pc in a good computer repair shop and they
were mystified... I couldn't leave the pc longer there so they didn't have
too much time to try things to correct it. I've sort of found a work-around
to get to what I need, but would love a resolution of this problem.

If you find anything, please let me know..

Helen
 
L

Lynn Q

I think I've solved the problem! After much trial and error, re-formatting
my drive, reinstalling apps... eventually the issue re-appeared.

I had installed Windows OneCare Live beta. Also MS AntiSpyWare beta. When
removed the problem disappeared. Everything fine again.

I've submitted report to OC Live... I don't think AntiSpyWare was the issue
as I have been using this for a while. OneCare was new to me and I am sure
it was the problem.

Hope this helps someone!
 
G

Gaga6

Well.... I don't have Windows OneCare Live, so that suggestion doesn't help
me... Grrrrrrr!

Helen
 

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