Member Avatar for AlBelgium

Hello,

When i use windows explorer, when i try and "right click" or cntrl-C to copy windows hangs up and it says "not responding" in the top left corner. Then it crashes and restarts.
I tried reloading XP from the hard disk (never had a copy of XP on CD) and it still happens.
When i shut down the computer it says something like "windows.exe" not responding as well then needs to be closed down.
Any ideas how to reload a new version of explorer that works? or fix this problem?

Thank you

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Dani AI

Generated

Symptoms reported by — Explorer hanging on right‑click or Ctrl+C, then crashing and showing a “not responding” message (and a similar hang at shutdown) — most often point to one of three causes: a misbehaving shell/context‑menu extension or clipboard hook, resident malware, or a corrupted user profile / system file. The interactive shell process on XP is Explorer (explorer.exe); if a different, unfamiliar process name appears it is worth noting in any follow‑up.

A short, safe sequence to narrow the cause:

  • Back up important documents before any repairs.
  • Boot to Safe Mode (F8). If the problem disappears, a third‑party extension or service is likely.
  • Check Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) for the exact process name and resource spikes; when Explorer hangs, End Process explorer.exe then use File → New Task (Run...) → explorer.exe to restart the shell.
  • Inspect Event Viewer (Start → Run → eventvwr.msc) for Application/System errors at the crash times and record faulting module names or error codes.

Next steps to try (non-destructive first):

  • Follow ’s advice to run a thorough anti‑malware scan (Malwarebytes) and produce the log. HijackThis output can help but should not be used for blind removals.
  • Use a shell‑extension manager (for example ShellExView) to disable non‑Microsoft context‑menu handlers in small groups, restart Explorer and retest — this often fixes right‑click hangs.
  • Check disk and system files:
chkdsk C: /f /r
sfc /scannow   (note: on XP this may require original install media)

If a new local user account works normally, migrate data and retire the corrupted profile. If all else fails, a repair install or full reinstall (after backing up data or using factory recovery media) will restore a clean Explorer. When posting for more help, include Event Viewer entries, MBAM/HijackThis logs, the exact process name shown in Task Manager, and whether Safe Mode is clean — that information speeds diagnosis.

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Member Avatar for AlBelgium

Thanks for that, I'll follow the instructions !!!!

Member Avatar for gerbil

You have some malware which is causing this. May I suggest first doing this...
==Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
from: http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html
or: http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe
=Dclick that file, mbam-setup.exe, to install the application,
-ensure that it is set to update and start, else start it via the icon, and UPDATE it.
Select "Perform QUICK Scan", then click Scan; the application will guide you through the remaining steps.
ENSURE that EVERYTHING found has a CHECKMARK against it, then click Remove Selected.
If malware has been found [and removed] MBAM will automatically produce a log for you when it completes... do not click the Save Logfile button.
Examine the log: if some files are listed as Delete on Reboot then restart your machine before continuing.
Copy and post that log [it is also saved under Logs tab in MBAM].
And next...
==download hijackthis: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download5554.html
-copy it to a new FOLDER placed either alongside your program files or on your desktop and then...
-in that folder start HijackThis by dclicking the .exe
-CLOSE ALL OTHER APPLICATIONS and any open windows including the explorer window containing HijackThis.
-click the Scan and Save a Logfile button. Post the log here.

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