Re: "My Computer" system folder freezes

From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 11/08/04 

Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2004 11:28:48 -0800

You must have gone to the Recovery Console which is the first "R" selection
that comes up during bootup even though it comes up in response to the
selection to repair setup. The repair install is later. Try again as
follows as you should not be asked for an administrator password to do a
repair install:

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

Note, in some cases, you won't receive the repair option, only an option to
reinstall. We have discovered that sometimes this is caused by damaged
boot.ini file that can be repaired as follows and also note, in the
instructions, "K" refers to the CD drive in which you have placed the XP CD,
replace that drive letter with the appropriate letter on your system, "K" is
simply an example.

Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option (this is the section I told
you to skip above. In this case, you will need to get to the Recovery
Console to perform the function below), and if the CD letter is say K: give
these commands

COPY K:\i386\ntldr C:
COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:
    (two other files needed - just in case)
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini
DEL C:\boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild

Once you've completed this function, reboot and see if you can access XP as
sometimes, the problem is the damaged boot.ini. If you still cannot access
XP, then reboot and re-run the repair install instructions at the beginning
of this message.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform the
above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition. 

-- 
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"C. M. G." <cmg@ohiorepromed.moc> wrote in message 
news:%23SHoGJSxEHA.4028@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>
> Michael,
>
> sfc did not fix the problem. I therefore tried the repair installation. 
> The system boots off the CD, ask me for the administrator password that I 
> enter, and then just stops (I removed and then added the password after 
> booting from the HD, and it still happens like that. If I enter the wrong 
> password, the system prompts me for the password again).
>
> Any other ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Clem.
>
>
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in message 
> news:%230HE8yqwEHA.2444@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> Two other things I can offer as follows:
>>
>> The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD 
>> or
>> restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
>>
>> Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter.  Note, 
>> there
>> is a space between sfc and the forward slash.  You will be asked for your 
>> XP
>> CD.  Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this 
>> is
>> not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. 
>> Simply
>> minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
>>
>> If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
>>
>> Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you 
>> are
>> unable to recover.  NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
>> files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may 
>> be
>> forced to start over and do a clean install of XP.  If you don't have 
>> your
>> data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
>>
>> Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the 
>> XP
>> CD in the drive.  If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
>> system's BIOS.  When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
>> instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when 
>> you
>> see that, do so.  Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
>> the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. 
>> Save
>> your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive.  The system will 
>> reboot.
>>
>> Boot from the CD.  If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, 
>> it
>> should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if 
>> you
>> wish to boot from the CD press any key.
>>
>> Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin.  You will see a 
>> reference
>> asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
>> wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2.  Just let
>> setup run past all of that.  It will continue to load files and drivers.
>>
>> Then it will bring you to a screen.  Eventually, you will come to a 
>> screen
>> with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
>> using the Recovery console.
>>
>> The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you 
>> to
>> press enter.  When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. 
>> Setup
>> will then search for previous versions of Windows.  Upon finding your
>> version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
>> install fresh.  Press R, that will run a repair installation.  From there
>> on, follow the screens.
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>
>> "C. M. G." <cmg@ohiorepromed.moc> wrote in message 
>> news:%23lAsGMjwEHA.2676@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>>
>>>
>>> Michael,
>>>
>>> I did get the upgrade advisor (version 6.0.2448.0) from the web site you
>>> suggested. I get the same error message:
>>>
>>> ==============================================
>>> Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is
>>> newer than the version on the CD.
>>>
>>> Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
>>> currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
>>> recovered.
>>> ==============================================
>>>
>>> Any idea why I keep getting this error message?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Clem.
>>>
>>>
>>> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in message
>>> news:ungt4$cwEHA.392@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Obviously, something is corrupted in the old account but the 
>>>>> information
>>>> you posted from event log is symptomatic as opposed to causal.
>>>>
>>>> You might try downloading the compatibility checker from the following
>>>> site, it is known as the Upgrade Advisor:
>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/advisor.mspx
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>>>> Windows Shell/User
>>>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>>>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>>>
>>>> "C. M. G." <cmg@ohiorepromed.moc> wrote in message
>>>> news:ePJ3uiTwEHA.2172@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>>>>>
>>>>> Michael,
>>>>>
>>>>> since my prior response, I have made some other discoveries:
>>>>>
>>>>> 1, drivers are up to date.
>>>>>
>>>>> 2, I have created a new account, and that account does not have the
>>>>> problem with the "my computer" system folder crashing.
>>>>>
>>>>> Does this help in figuring out the problem? (I would prefer to 
>>>>> continue
>>>>> using the old account because of the many settings associated with
>>>>> it...)
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>
>>>>> Clem.
>>>>>
>>>>>> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:%23ONGBUEwEHA.1452@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>>>>>>> Yes, I would run the System Compatibility Check.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also, check your device manufacturers websites for the latest 
>>>>>>> drivers.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Also, you might try temporarily disabling or otherwise uninstalling
>>>>>>> your antivirus as sometimes antivirus software can cause this type 
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> issue. Do this as a last resort if none of the above help.  If it
>>>>>>> proves to be the issue, you'll enact to contact Trend Micro for help
>>>>>>> with this issue.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>>>>>>> Windows Shell/User
>>>>>>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>>>>>>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "C. M. G." <cmg@ohiorepromed.moc> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:%23VUuNA8uEHA.3828@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Michael,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thank you for your response.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I use Trend Micro Internet Security, my pattern version is 
>>>>>>>> constantly
>>>>>>>> (sometimes several times daily) updated, and a system scan finds no
>>>>>>>> viruses.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Ad-Aware SE v. 6._ w/ the latest pattern file finds only a few
>>>>>>>> tracking
>>>>>>>> cookies (deleted).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I unchecked "Automatically Restart" as you suggested, but when I go 
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> "My
>>>>>>>> Computer" and click "Change a Setting,"  the system freezes until I
>>>>>>>> close
>>>>>>>> the window, and no blue screen is displayed.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The event viewer shows the following info:
>>>>>>>> ============================================
>>>>>>>> Event Type: Information
>>>>>>>> Event Source: Winlogon
>>>>>>>> Event Category: None
>>>>>>>> Event ID: 1002
>>>>>>>> Date:  10/26/2004
>>>>>>>> Time:  8:20:53 PM
>>>>>>>> User:  N/A
>>>>>>>> Computer: DELL04
>>>>>>>> Description:
>>>>>>>> The shell stopped unexpectedly and Explorer.exe was restarted.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
>>>>>>>> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
>>>>>>>> ============================================================
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I followed that link and get this information:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>>>>>>>            Details
>>>>>>>>            Product: Windows Operating System
>>>>>>>>            ID: 1002
>>>>>>>>            Source: Winlogon
>>>>>>>>            Version: 5.0
>>>>>>>>            Component: Application Event Log
>>>>>>>>            Symbolic Name: EVENT_SHELL_RESTARTED
>>>>>>>>            Message: The shell stopped unexpectedly and %1 was
>>>>>>>> restarted.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            Explanation
>>>>>>>>            The shell was stopped and then restarted. By default, 
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> shell
>>>>>>>> is explorer.exe; however, you might have a customized shell.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            User Action
>>>>>>>>            No user action is required.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            Version: 5.2
>>>>>>>>            Symbolic Name: EVENT_SHELL_RESTARTED
>>>>>>>>            Message: The shell stopped unexpectedly and %1 was
>>>>>>>> restarted.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            Explanation
>>>>>>>>            The shell was stopped and then restarted. By default, 
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> shell
>>>>>>>> is explorer.exe; however, you might have a customized shell.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            User Action
>>>>>>>>            No user action is required.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>             Related Knowledge Base articles
>>>>>>>>                 You can find additional information on this topic 
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> following Microsoft Knowledge Base articles:
>>>>>>>>                 . A security policy does not process restricted 
>>>>>>>> groups
>>>>>>>> correctly
>>>>>>>>                 If you configure a restricted group by using Group
>>>>>>>> Policy,
>>>>>>>> the membership list is incomplete when the group is processed by 
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> client.
>>>>>>>> This problem is indicated by events from the SceCle and Userenv
>>>>>>>> sources in
>>>>>>>> the application event log. For...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>            I follow the link to
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>                  Article ID : 320099
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> but I do not, quite honestly, understand what that article is 
>>>>>>>> about.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I imagine that this might be related to installing SP2?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Any advice where to go from here? Should I use my XP CD and 
>>>>>>>> generate
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> "Check System Compatibility" report?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> All help is appreciated!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Clem.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>>> news:elAS7LtuEHA.3840@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>>>>>>>>> First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions 
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> run
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>> virus scan.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
>>>>>>>>> www.lavasoftusa.com
>>>>>>>>> Note: you should always be well backed up before running an
>>>>>>>>> application of
>>>>>>>>> this type.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open 
>>>>>>>>> System,
>>>>>>>>> go to
>>>>>>>>> the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, 
>>>>>>>>> remove
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure.  This 
>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>> cause
>>>>>>>>> the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
>>>>>>>>> information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> issue.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer,
>>>>>>>>> look for
>>>>>>>>> errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the
>>>>>>>>> information
>>>>>>>>> contained within may give a clue as to the
>>>>>>>>> source of the problem.  If you don't understand the information
>>>>>>>>> inside,
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> third button down in that dialog box will copy the information,
>>>>>>>>> you can then paste it into a message and post it here and maybe we
>>>>>>>>> can
>>>>>>>>> figure out what is going on.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD 
>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System
>>>>>>>>> Compatibility,"
>>>>>>>>> the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software 
>>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>> system.  If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this
>>>>>>>>> application
>>>>>>>>> known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
>>>>>>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
>>>>>>>>> Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be 
>>>>>>>>> best
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> download using that as this is a rather large download.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your
>>>>>>>>> graphics
>>>>>>>>> card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. 
>>>>>>>>> Do
>>>>>>>>> not
>>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>>> Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites
>>>>>>>>> and if
>>>>>>>>> you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers 
>>>>>>>>> being
>>>>>>>>> unsigned
>>>>>>>>> by Microsoft.  *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are 
>>>>>>>>> well
>>>>>>>>> backed
>>>>>>>>> up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore 
>>>>>>>>> point
>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>> System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver
>>>>>>>>> update
>>>>>>>>> and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup. 
>>>>>>>>> Start\All
>>>>>>>>> Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>>>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>>>>>>>>> Windows Shell/User
>>>>>>>>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>>>>>>>>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> "C. M. G." <cmg@ohiorepromed.moc> wrote in message
>>>>>>>>> news:OekhBLkuEHA.1520@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>>>>>>>>>> When I double-click "My Computer" on the desktop, the folder 
>>>>>>>>>> opens,
>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>> almost all commands (change a setting, my network places, my
>>>>>>>>>> documents,
>>>>>>>>>> control panel) cause the "My Computer" window to freeze, and I 
>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> terminate it. I have no problem accessing the various system 
>>>>>>>>>> folders
>>>>>>>>>> etc
>>>>>>>>>> from the "start" button.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Any idea what is going on?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Clem.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
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