Windows explorer problem - general slowing down

[Loppar]

Up until last week Windows XP were running very smoothly on my Dell D600
notebook. At that time I started noticing that after I log on as
Administrator, it takes a minute or two for the icons to appear. During that
time the disk was busy, as if searching for something.

After that, the same problem started appearing on my user account (2-3 mins
for icons to appear), and I started experiencing delays while working with
windows explorer (5 mins to open a folder) and while trying to open Start >
Programs (up to 10 mins for Programs to appear). Also, windows explorer
started crashing occasionally, especially when trying to run an application.

I cannot run programs and work with files due to huge delays.

I've defragmented the disk, checked for RAM and disk space, checked for
viruses and spyware with AdAware, Norton Antivirus, F-Prot, Spybot and
everything is OK.

I also disabled the "automatically search for network drives" in Windows
Explorer, and disabled all services and startup to no avail

Oh yes, I have the SP2 installed.

Any help is greatly appreciated.


Loppar

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

Loppar,

See if this MSKB article applies to your issue :

FIX: Windows Explorer leaks memory when you use the Windows Explorer
tree view to browse different folders
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=872942

If it does, call MS and mention this article specifically and request
the hotfix for it. There should be *no* charge and if you have any
difficulty, ask to speak to a supervisor. Do not mention any other issue
except this one . There may be a charge for a toll call, but there
should be no charge for the hotfix.


MowGreen [MVP]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

Run the Task Manager, go to View/Select Columns, and turn on the following
columns: "I/O Read Bytes" and "I/O Write Bytes." This will give you details
as to which process is accessing the disk.

Although many processes will be accessing the disk, look for one with a high
total or a fast rate of increase, especially when you hear the drive being
accessed.

Also, check to see what is running in the background that isn't needed
during the boot process. You can read your log file via this utility:

XP Startup Tracker:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_u.htm#xp_util

To disable:

Check for an option to not having the icon load in the System Tray via the
program(s) in question.

Other options for removal:

Go to Start/Run and type in: msconfig. Go to the Startup Tab and uncheck
accordingly. Then run this script to remove the disabled items from the
registry.

Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup (Line 148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Or...remove the runkeys from here: Start/Run/Regedit

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Troubleshooting, Removing and/or Cleaning Add or Remove Programs
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#addremove

Troubleshooting the Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_n.htm#na

As per Explorer, ext: Run this combo and line 157:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update each program, once installed, before running.

Line 157: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Good luck and keep us posted.

--
All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com