Strange recurring error in Windows Explorer...

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DrMoriarty

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5,173
OK, this has me beat — can anyone help?

Dell Dimension 4600, running under XP home. As of about a week ago, any time I right-click on a file in Windows Explorer (for example to delete it, or scan it for virusses, or 'send' it somewhere, or even just check its properties), Explorer crashes and I get this error message:

[broken link removed]

Same thing happens if I just select a file and press 'delete', but for some reason not if I put it inside a folder first... [broken link removed]

I've de-fragged and scanned for errors, I've checked for spy/malware and virusses, I've even done a system restore, and it keeps happening... [broken link removed]

Could this be an early sign of impending HDD failure? ('cause the yoke is still just about under warranty, and I'll move fast, if that's the case!)

Thanks in advance...
 
May not be entirely related to your problem, but I used to find Explorer crashed on me while trying to display previews of the documents in my My Documents folder. I eventually had to sort them out into sub-folders and the problem eventually went away.

Again, not quite your problem, but it's just when you mention that it works in a sub-folder, I thought I would mention it...
 
Cheers, MonsieurBond.

Is there any chance it could be a memory problem? Santy is currently bringing me a 1GB upgrade kit (2 x 512MB dual channel 400MHz), because even without running tests I know that the standard Dell-supplied 2 x 256MB RAM is not cutting the mustard. I can hear it! [broken link removed]
 
It may be that something was installed that added an option to the Windows Explorer right click context menu and this is what is causing the crash - not Windows Explorer itself or (even less likely unless there is other evidence to support the theory) hard disk or memory problems. See here for example:

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/techfiles/explorer-crashes.html


Have you tried booting into safe mode to see what happens?

I don't understand what you mean about being able to hear your memory!
 
ClubMan said:
I don't understand what you mean about being able to hear your memory!
Click to expand...
No, I meant that I can hear that the installed 512Mb RAM isn't sufficient by the creaking and groaning of the computer constantly accessing the hard drive!

Anyways — I ended up having to reinstall Windows completely. Tried to do just a 'repair/upgrade' installation, but it kept blue-screening out about 3/4 way through — something about a 'BAD_POOL_CALLER'? — and then refusing to let me boot in safe mode and constantly looking to resume the reinstallation. Spent an hour or two this morning on the 'phone to Dell technical support, who were very good, I must say — patiently tried every other alternative with me before conceding that a complete new installation was the best option, and later rang back twice to check it had gone OK.

So — problem solved, the long way around (or maybe not?). Thank Krishna I'd backed everything up to my new Aldi 320GB drive...!
 
Thank Krishna I'd backed everything up to my new Aldi 320GB drive.
Click to expand...
You must have been up early on sunday for that, nary a 1 left in any of 4 aldis I visited on sunday. was looking at the targa 400gb last night for 219e in lidl, wouldnt have been a bad price a year ago but probably a bit much now. It had the added feature of being able to be networked without being hooked up to a pc though.
 
Too early! I actually went up at 9:00am, only to realise that on Sundays the store doesn't open until noon...

When I arrived at ten to, there were about 100 people queuing. Fortunately for me, most of them semmed to be after the PC or the Lexmark printer!

You could do worse than have a look at the [broken link removed] on komplett.ie...
 
It's a Medion, and I was sure glad to rely on it yesterday...

MonsieurBond said:
Better value too - €100 for 250MB.
Click to expand...
320GB for €119.99 is kinda better value than 250GB for €110.01 + €12 delivery — especially with a three-year return-to-shop vs a 12-month [broken link removed] warranty!
 
DrMoriarty said:
It's a Medion, and I was sure glad to rely on it yesterday...
Click to expand...
But the hard disk drive itself (as opposed to the enclosing unit) is unlikely to be made/assembled by Medion but rather than one of small group of specialist hard disk manufacturers (e.g. Hitachi, Samsung, WD, Maxtor etc.). And when it comes to reliability it's the hard disk itself that matters most.
 
The Medion [broken link removed] doesn't specify, but I'll have a look at the manual later...
 
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