PC Started hanging at "My Computer"

[katzdvd]

In the last week or so, I have noticed that it takes longer than usual to open "my computer" Today, when I try to open it, I end up with the "flashlight search" screen & it never does open to give me access to my drives, etc.

I have just run several spyware programs, Virus protection is up to date; any ideas on this one (other than reformatting)

I know, in light of my other recent problems that would be the way to go, but I have a pile of junk on here that I am not in the mood to reinstall...



thanks, katz

[Abuilder]

Katz
Close My computer and remove any/all CD/DVD's you may have in your drives and try it again.

[soup]

Mine was not quite as bad but I did find it hanging a bit, so I cut back on some of the protection programs because I believed there might be some conflicts. I turfed Spyware Doctor, AdAware, Spyware Blaster & Spybot. Basically down to my System Suite & Ewido/AVG anti spyware. Since I have done this it has not happened.

[katzdvd]

Close My computer and remove any/all CD/DVD's you may have in your drives and try it again.

I did that & still have the problem...

After my initial post, I decided to do a sys. restore. My most recent restore point was Dec. 2006, & I tried 2 different dates. The system would not restore to either of them. Cannot system restore roll the system back to a previous year backup?

[Abuilder]

Katz
Well try this then.
In my computer tools > folder options > view > (uncheck if it is) Automatically search for network folders and printers.

And if that isn't it, it beats the $@(& out of me.
Format it and have a LONG talk with that boy!
LOL

[doctorhardware]

I would get net nanny and start blocking certain web sites that cause the most problems.

[katzdvd]

I would get net nanny and start blocking certain web sites that cause the most problems.

I have Cyberpatrol. Problem is, he plays several online games, steam, etc. that probably muck up the system with junk...

I (Hate) Video Games

[Abuilder]

Katz
I haven’t given up quite yet. I noticed from another thread that you are running Avast. Seeing that Avast updates itself on your system almost daily, I have an idea. Power your system off and unplug the cat5 cable from your nic and boot the system back up. Some backdoor virus’s depend on that internet connection to function correctly. They can very easily defeat program like se and spybot. Now run a “full” (inside zips and cabs) virus scan and see what happens. Maybe with a little luck Avast will find something and disable it or at least let you know that there is something potentially dangerous running.
Make sure to “always” pull the power cable out of the power supply when tinkering with the hardware. LOL

[Squee77]

what it does it is suppose to search for known hardwares such as hard drives dvd drivers and some folders and shared this feature can be shut off somehow i believe it can be shutoff b somewhere in folder options.

[Chewy]

time for a major overhaul, try to work in safe mode and get control back,
uninstall everything but the essentials, download trojanhunter, update it and if it comes up clean then reevaluate what programs were installed that caused
a major conflict with the xp kernel

[katzdvd]

time for a major overhaul, try to work in safe mode and get control back,
uninstall everything but the essentials, download trojanhunter, update it and if it comes up clean then reevaluate what programs were installed that caused
a major conflict with the xp kernel

Thanks to all for the suggestions; Chewy, I know you are right; it is time for an overhaul, as I have had misc. quirks going on for a few weeks now.
I have just acquired a 2nd pc that I am planning on installing all my son's games on so he can beat that one to death & mine will stay running fine.

Instead of doing all the troubleshooting further & trying to find out exactly what is at fault, I think it is easier at this point to just reformat for a sqeaky clean system.

I rem. a few months ago when drf was having similar issues with a pc, & he was posting on here daily for weeks about a "new" virus or malware/spyware that he was discovering while doing scans. We all were telling him it was time to dump the system & start over with a fresh install...wonder what ever became of that?

[Chewy]

last I heard after 8 reinstalls he's using virtual pc from ms on seperate partitions for his dangerous work

[Abuilder]

Katz
Don't forget to backup "my document" and your Favorite/bookmarks before wiping it. I usually forget about the bookmarks and have to google like mad to find everything again.