Windows Explorer not responding (a new problem)

[docevil]

First of all, I will make sure to clarify that this is indeed a WINDOWS Explorer problem, and not an Windows INTERNET Explorer problem. I am able to use IE without problem, and connectivity is not affected.

Whenever I try to open a location on my computer (Computer, "My Documents"<-{renamed to the login name of course}, Network, Control Panel, etc...) I am met with a window that opens with a title bar containing "Windows Explorer (Not Repsponding)" and I also have the blue ring waiting cursor.

There is no problem accessing executables, all programs run just fine. It is only when I try to "surf" my own computer that this problem occours, and only with Windows Explorer. Search as I may, I cannot find ANY solutions to this problem anywhere.

Nuke and paving is not an option as I have data I cannot lose (and have much trouble accessing now), and I also have no restore points/recovery disc (thank microsoft for that last one).

Error Message recieved:
>>Description:
>> A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows.
>>
>>Problem signature:
>> Problem Event Name: AppHangXProcB1
>> Application Name: explorer.exe
>> Application Version: 6.0.6001.18164
>> Application Timestamp: 4907e242
>> Hang Signature: 1895
>> Hang Type: 32768
>> Waiting on Application Name: rundll32.exe
>> Waiting on Application Version: 6.0.6000.16386
>> OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
>> Locale ID: 1033
>> Additional Hang Signature 1: 983e7579929eb943725d74f25b1083b0
>> Additional Hang Signature 2: 96d8
>> Additional Hang Signature 3: 412cf2909ec2ad6c7f6a87b5798c9799
>> Additional Hang Signature 4: 1895
>> Additional Hang Signature 5: 983e7579929eb943725d74f25b1083b0
>> Additional Hang Signature 6: 96d8
>> Additional Hang Signature 7: 412cf2909ec2ad6c7f6a87b5798c9799
>>
>>Read our privacy statement:
>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?link...3&clcid=0x0409

[docevil]

I've recieved a help attempt through email, and while I appreciate it, I need to reiterate that this is NOT AN INTERNET EXPLORER PROBLEM.

There is a fundamental difference between Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer:

Internet Explorer (iexplore.exe) functions for interations on a network or on the internet.

Windows Explorer (explore.exe) functions as the GUI for browsing the internal structure of your computer. Without it, windows cannot open...well...any windows! I cannot open "My Computer", "My Network", "My Documents", or any other graphically represented internal window normally usable in Vista.

Most of the other people experiencing this problem are reporting networking errors, and anything of this sort will not help with what my machine is going through. My network is fine.

My apologies, I am including the "My" out of habbit and remanisance of the good old days when the computer functioned properly.

The fundamental internal navigation device for Vista (explore.exe) is malfunctioning and I cannot find any help/repaire advice that does not include me spending more money for a program I've alaready purchased. I can't even open the Control Panel, Add/Remove Software (Or whatever the vista equivalent is called) or Microsoft Update because of this.

Yes, I do. But it has been in there for months without a problem.

Think a grove update could be responsible?

[Bill Daggett]

Those "My" components you refer to are NOT folders, they are junction
points for software that was written prior to Vista. They are
shortcuts usable only by such software. If attempting to open those
are what initiates your explorer problem, then STOP trying to open
them.

There is probably only one option left for you, seeing as you don't
want to - or can't - reinstall Vista

Do you have Groove installed... ?

[Dingo]

So I'm assuming Windows Explorer is crashing only when you attempt to open a
folder window, not on login for your user?

Have you tried browsing folders under a different user? If you don't have
any other users on your system, try to create a new one and see if the fresh
profile has the same problem.

You mentioned you couldn't browse the control panel, so to access User
Accounts, open the Run dialog and type "control userpasswords" to
(hopefully) bring it up.

You may want to try resetting your folder settings. Open the Run dialog and
type "control folders", then on the View tab is "Reset Folders."

Also, have you tried booting the system using the F8 menu and chosing (if it
exists) the Repair Windows option? Does it crash even in Safe Mode?

If you want to try removing programs, you can open Run and enter "control
/name Microsoft.ProgramsAndFeatures" but unfortunately I believe that is
treated like a folder as well and might crash, but it's worth a shot.

Hope that's of some assistance

[Tim Munro]

I'm seeing a very similar problem in the last day or so. I can "explore" my
computer (reasonably well). When I go to MOVE file(s) or folder(s), it take
*FOREVER*. There is constant disk activity. It eventually does complete.
When I do the same thing from a CMD prompt, the move is almost
instantaneous. Clearly Explorer.exe (or subprocess) is buggered.