explorer.exe keeps stalling.

snappieT

Another of snappieT's computer problems here, this time on the laptop, running XP Pro SP2, all updates applied.

explorer.exe keeps reaching 99% of CPU usage on me. At first, it happened when I opened a 'Browse' box from within Firefox. Then it started happening when I was opening 'My Documents'.
I figured it could have something to do with my profile, so I created a new one, with a brand spanking new 'My Documents' folder.
Since them, explorer is reaching 99% on regular occasions, relatively randomly, sometimes when I just click something normal, or copy a small bit of text.

I've run Spybot, MS Antispyware, Ad-Aware, MKS_vir, AVG - all without result. This is a new enough install of XP, and I haven't been installing anything questionable at all. Is there anything I'm doing wrong?

Thanks,
snappieT

chilled

Do you what that sounds like, it sounds like win xp is muck.

snappieT

I know it is. Utter crap, but I still need a working copy.

The laptop dual boots into Fedora also.

astrofool

Have you got some network drives mapped? Or is there a drive problem? Explorer can take a long time opening if it can't find a drive.

JackKelly

you havent downloaded any AVI's lately have you?

snappieT

I had some big AVIs from a DV-Cam recently, but they've since been deleted. Why would that make a difference?

I do have 1 network drive mapped, within my LAN, so response times are <1ms, shouldn't be a problem. In big networks I've seen it taking a while to open, but it still didn't stall.

Any more ideas?

JackKelly

i remember having a certain avi on my system, and everytime i opened the file it was in, the CPU usage would up to 100%. Couldn't delete it either, had to do it through safe mode. Turned out the usage was due to windows trying to create a preview. I thought it may have been that. Obviously it isnt though.

snappieT

Maybe I'll just do a search of all files >1GB (in safe mode of course).

Thanks for that. I realised also that it happened to me before, Windows 98 going crazy when I opened the folder in which an 800MB BMP was. Will try and report back.

Thanks again.

astrofool

try unmap the drive then, see if the problem persists, if it does remap it

snappieT

I did a search of all files over a gig. Low and behold, there was a 12GB AVI still in the depths of the computer. Deleted it via DOS Prompt, explorer hasn't stalled since.

Thanks!

JackKelly

LMAO 12 Gb? Thats fairly heafty. Hopefully thats the prob anyway.

snappieT

I don't know how I missed 12GB of my mere 60GB laptop drive (poor etc.)

Thanks TimAy.