Windows Explorer hangs when right-clicking

So oddly enough, this is the second computer in a row I've had that does this. I'm running XPMediaCenter/SP2 on a 4-month-old Gateway, and am being driven nuts by this.

About half of the time I use Windows Explorer, if I try to right click a file, or use the "File" drop-down at the top, the program hangs. I go ahead and send an error-report to Microsoft, but I don't know why I bother since I don't even know if there's a purpose to it.

It's happening on this computer and it happened on the last one I had as well. The previous one did it from the original XP install through SP1 and still did it in SP2, but not as often as this computer is doing it. I've run spysweeper many times, as well as my CA AV, but neither have come up with anything. I've de-installed any non-important programs as well.

I'm just hoping someone has an idea for me. I tried running a search several times for "windows explorer" several times, but it wouldn't give me results.

Anyway, let me know what other info I can give that might make a solution a little easier to come by. Thanks.

 

Keep reporting problems. M$ uses the information to figure out where their bugs are and what needs fixing. Frustrating that you don't get feedback but .....

For your WE problem, try start->run->SFC /scannow

 

See the information on this page. It includes Error message "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" when you right-click a folder " in the list of symptoms it addresses.

 

Thanks guys. So far I haven't had it happen again, but it's intermittent anyway.

I ran the program on that page and turned off a couple of little things, so hopefully that'll fix it.

I tried the SFC /scannow thing, but I guess Gateway doesn't include any system disks, so I was stuck when asked for them.

 

You will probably need sfc at some point so now is a good time to see if we can set you up.

The files needed to do the system file check are located in a folder named I386. There could be a copy on your hard drive or on one of the Gateway install/repair/recovery CDs.

It is just a matter of locating the folder and then changing a registry entry to point to that location so if you can locate the folder, please say the exact location.

 

I guess I wasn't totally clear on that. It ran the SFC scan, and it seemed to work, but at the end it asked for my Win XP Install disc, and I don't have one. I have the recovery discs I made, but they didn't meet Windows' needs apparently.

 

When sfc /scannow asks for a disk, it has found a damaged file or noticed a missing file and needs the CD to replace it/them.
No CD = no replacement = you still got problems.

 

ok. I only tried the first of my recovery CDs, so maybe it's on one of the other 4. Thanks for the help. Sorry I sound like such a newbie.

 

Not on any of the other 4 either. It asks for Windows XP Pro CD2, but I have Windows XP Media Center Edition. I don't quite understand that. Either way, I guess I need to try to get some disks from Gateway or something.

 

Check your hard drive as well. Some OEMs put a copy there.

As to the "newbie" part, that's what keeps us in business. If everyone knew all this stuff, there wouldn't be any questions to answer and the forum would fold.

 

Tried2Live, look through those CD's in Windows Explorer, and see if you find a folder named "i386 ". If so, copy the entire folder and it's contents onto your hard drive. Make sure the folder is named 'C:\I386', and the contents begin in that folder. If you end up with 'C:\I386\I386' situation, this will not work.
Download this file, rename it from SfcHack.TXT to SrcHack.REG, if done correctly the icon will change. Doubleclick this file, "yes" you want to merge this information into the registry when prompted. Then run SFC /SCANNOW. It should now just look at that folder, and not prompt you for the CD.

 

Well I have everything in the C:\i386 folder, and ran the registry hack, but I'm still being prompted for a CD when I run the scan.

 

There may be a goof in the file markp62 posted.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup]
"SourcePath "= "C:\\ "

I'd have expected that to read "SourcePath "= "C:\ ".

Try editing the file (use notepad or any other text editor but NOT wordpad or any word processor) to remove the extra \ and run the .reg file again. It can't do any harm since things aren't working now and I'm guessing it will solve the problem for you.

 

I created that file from an export, and the "C:\\" was there from regedit. If you were to right click in the I386 folder, and select Properties, are there 6156 files and 136 folders?

 

See if this page helps.

Also, check out the ShellExView program, referenced there.

 

Well, I'd be happy to let you know, but it's doing it again, so I can't right click. I'll let you know when it starts cooperating again.

 

OOps. meant to start a new post. Sorry.

Sorry, meant to start a new post. Didn't mean to butt in.


I'd like to be able to run the sfc but I get asked for my windows CD and it doesn't seem to know when I give it what it wants. Putting the CD in doesn't do a thing. I keep getting asked for it, over and over again. I did a search on my C drive since I have an OEM XP Home edition and there are lots of folders with i386.

8 of them in C:\Windows\system32\reinstallbackups\0001\driverfiles
0002 etc to 0008

Also in C:\Windows\driver cache and C:\WindowsServicePackfiles

and 2 in C:\Program files\Java...

Should I still put the folder on the CD in C drive or should I be using one or all
of the 8 in system32? Do these files ever change?

 

I myself switched to Vcom PowerDesk
YEARS AGO. Way back in the days of Win95.

With its' Dual-Pane capability it is excellent for use when you want to drag-n-drop files from one place to the other.

To do that with Windows explorer you need to start it twice. Then hassle with resizing the two views ( unless something has changed about Explorer )

True. It is not free but I believe well worth the cost.

BillyBob

 

Just as a FYI, you don't need to run 2 copies.

A couple of solutions.

1. Select the files in question and do a cut/copy, then scroll to the receiving folder and do the paste.

2. In Explorer, scroll to and select the folder in the left pane, so that the files are displayed in the right pane. Then, in the left pane scroll until the receiving folder is displayed, and do the drag/drop from the left pane to the right pane