I had installed a WMA to MP3 converter on my computer recently. It was one that showed up on the right click menu when I'd right click a selection of songs to convert. It seemed to be hanging up because this software must have been searching the entire directory for songs when navigating the various folders. It was a trial version, so I opted to remove it via the add/remove software utility in Winders.

Now it seems that my Windows Explorer is locking up constantly. I get the message that the process failed and do I want to send a report. I'm sure you've all been there before...

So my question - what can I do to fix this problem? It's driving me nuts. FWIW, I was down to about 1.5 gig left on my HD, so I moved a number of things to my external drive. I'm up to 15 gig free now.

 

How long has it been since you formatted the drive and started from scratch? I do it about 3 times a year. It helps get rid of a lot of useless junk on your computer that you don't even know about. Once you do it a few times it takes no time at all to get it all up and running again. Try that. If you don't feel like doing anything as drastic, try reinstalling windows.

 

try to a system restore to a time before you installed it. that may do the trick. otherwise, when does it lock up? just randomly?

 

Can I reinstall overtop of the windows version on here, or do I need to do something special? Will I lose any info?

 

I tried that before to no avail. I don't want to go that direction now if i can help it - since I jsut installed a bunch of new stuff (Macromedia Studio 8 )

 

You can reinstall windows on top of itself, but I don't like doing it. In the past if you did that it would screw up the registry and windows wouldn't recognize a lot of programs actually being installed. An example would be you would put in a cd with autoplay, and instead of firing up the program it would try to install it. Sure you can edit the registry, but its a pain in the butt. I'd just recommend wiping the drive. You may even notice the computer run a little faster, depending on how much crap has accumulated over time. Before you do make sure you have the latest copies of all the drivers you will need backed up so that you can get to them easily.

 

Formatting means your gonna erase everything and I mean everything, nothing is left.

Here is what I would do, if you have windowx xp you can do a system restore and see if that works.

If that doesnt work you can try to use a registry cleaner program, as most likely your registry is still full of junk from that program. There are no free ones unfortunetly though.

Finally format as a last option..

 

I got this program I use that cleans up stuff and fixes the registry....its made by VCOM and is called systemsuite. It keeps my computer clean and running quickly as it first was the day when i bought it. I also messed with my page file stuff to use more or less of my installed memory and use memory on my hard drive. I'm not really smart about these things but it has helped with no crashes.

 

registry cleaners and fixes only delay the fact. Your OS is failing on you. I would save want you want and reformat.

 

Hmm....since I've been using this program, mine has been running smoothly for over 8 months now. Usually it would crash every other month. Fixing the resistry and scanning the hard drive has always seem to work for me.

 

I havent had any luck with them. But havent used one in awhile. I have since gave up using my windows pc as my daily computer. Its now equal to what I use my PS2 for.

 

do windows repair, but not the first windows repair option.

you will need to reinstall windows on top.

i just did this yesterday when IE7 install blew up my machine...

so far, all the apps i'm running are running fine... :crossing fingers:

 

I've used alot of them that has actually damaged my windows install too...this is the only one I feel confident in.

 

Here is something you can try.

Have your XP cd in before doing this.
goto the run command and type:

sfc /scannow

 

I have to agree on a total format.
I format mine once a year.

When they start acting up, more problems pop up down the road.

I have a weekly Sunday backup that is on auto pilot that backs it all up to an external USB Seagate.

Still even with all the info backed up, it takes me a few days to recover getting all the old apps reinstalled and moving the data back.

Even with my 16 megabit or so fast download cable speed, doing all of the Windows XP updates can take several hours with all the rebooting you need to do and updates.

I pity those on dialup that have to do the Win updates.

Just formatted last March or so, and will be doing it again next spring.
Or not...Vista if out by then will be going on.

Leo, thanks for the headsup on IE7.
I was thinking about it, but I am really happy with Firefox 2 right now since I have got use to it.
I only use IE now for the XP and Office 2003 updates.