Wierd Windows XP Lock-up

[SoLittle]

This is a wierd one - to me at least:

My System - Windows XP Pro with all the current updates, firewall enabled, run Spy-Bot/Ad-Aware/Registry Cleaner (AMUST)/Crap Cleaner/run CHKDSK and other system maintenance utilities. I have three accounts set-up.

Symptoms - The problem occurs in two places -

1) When I click the mouse in a blank area of my desktop the hourglass appears and the system freezes. If I click on a desktop icon it opens the shortcut normally. I can "unfreeze" the system by CTL/ALT/DEL to activate the Task Manager and then log off. This takes me back to the log on screen and the system will operate normally.

2) When I go to My Computer and click on New Folder the hourglass appears and the system freezes. If I click on an existing folder or file the system will operate normally. I can "unfreeze" the system as in 1) above.

Other than this the system performs normally. It is not a show stopper by any means but a definate pain.

Any ideas???

 

[mechBgon]

1) What registry cleaner, exactly? Just checking, since there's approximately an infinite number of rogue ones...

2) If you haven't done so already, look at your Event Viewer logs to see what's in them (right-click My Computer > Manage).

3) If there was a point when the system wasn't doing that, see if you can do a System Restore back to before it started.



Also, this sounds like an Operating Systems topic, so it's being moved to Operating Systems.

AnandTech Moderator
mechBgon

 

[SoLittle]

mechBgon - To answer your questions -

1. Registry cleaner is AMUST - I have also used on occasion EasyCleaner and System Mechanic 6. I have had no indication of a problem from any of these tools.

2. I have looked at the Event Viewer and have seen no unusual activity. I have also looked at the task list in the Task Manager but could find no task sucking up resources.

3. This is a long time problem and not a show stopper as I mentiioned in my original post.

I have been wondering if perhaps something in Windows has become corrupt. I do not want to do a reinstall.

Any further ideas?

Howard

 

[Nothinman]

1. Registry cleaner is AMUST - I have also used on occasion EasyCleaner and System Mechanic 6. I have had no indication of a problem from any of these tools.

I don't know about that one in particular but those tools are usually the cause of more problems than they fix.

My first guess would be a crap explorer extension, but it's hard to say since I've been out of the Windows loop for a while and don't know what comes with what anymore.

 

[mechBgon]

I agree about the registry cleaners. The only one I'd use would be the Windows Live OneCare one, which is available online. It's notable for setting a System Restore point before it does its thing.

If you're open to the idea of a repair install of WinXP, try method 2 on this page. Back up your data first, just in case It may also be prudent to uninstall security software before starting a reinstall. If your WinXP CD-ROM is not inherently at Service Pack 2 level, then also take precautions so you don't get infected by network worms (scroll halfway down the page to the big picture).