Windows Explorer Not Responding

Hello. I am going to try posting this need for help again,
hoping that someone will see this who can help solve my
problem. I want to publicly thank many of you who have
already tried to help me. Unfortunately, the problem has
not been solved.

First, a little about my system.. I use WINDOWS ME and IE
6 (with the latest updates). My system is a Dell Pentium 4
1.5 Ghz with 256MB RAM. It's about 3 1/2 years old.

This issue began about a about three weeks ago. Let me try
and explain the scenario.. What happens is that the system
boots up normally to the desktop - no problems that I can
see. I'll then go about my business such as accessing the
internet, etc.(using a cable modem)and still
everything seems fine. After I have finished (could be 10
minutes, or could be a couple hours), I close out of IE
browser to get back to the normal desktop.

Once back on the desktop, I might click on a different
icon (for example - EXCEL; WORD; My Documents "C" Drive
files, etc.). When I do so - the system totally freezes.
The hour glass just stays on. I give it a few minutes, but
there is no change. So - I hit Ctrl-Alt-Del and the
running tasks menu comes up, shows the running programs
(of which there is only three: Explorer; NAV and SysTray)
and under on the Explorer line, it says, "Explorer(not
Responding)". I try and cancel out of this, but when I do,
the screen goes blue and says that the system is busy. So,
I hit Ctrl-Alt-Del again and reboot. When the reboot is
complete, everything appears to be working fine again
until the problem eventually repeats itself again.

Let's see.. here are some other pirces of info that could
help. When I first started experiencing this issue, I also
noticed that the fan on my PC was running continuously and
it was louder than usual - almost a chirping sound. I keep
the unit cleaned and dusted for the most part. Since that
time, the chirping has slowly subsided, but the fan is
still always running. I personally tink that it's not
related to my problem, but I thought it should be
mentioned.

I scan my computer for viruses regularly (Norton with
updates)and there are no infections. Also, I run Stinger,
Ad-Aware about 2-3 times per week (with the latest
reference files updated); Spy-Bot; CDShredder and BHDemon
on a regular basis. I also clear out my Temporary Internet
Files, and Temp files just about daily.

Based on prior solutions, I have tried to repair IE 6 in
Safe Mode, but that has not solved te problems.

Can anyone offer any other advice please. This is very
frustating and I have read through the Newsgroups and
cannot locate any problems that are similar to mine. Thank
you for any additional help that you could provide.

Frank

One other thing just ocurred to me as well.. I mentioned
about the running programs (Explorer; NAV and Syst Tray).
I neglected to mention that sometimes I also see a running
program called "WinMgmt". There is nothing like that in my
start up but I thought I should mention that anyway.
Thanks again!
-----Original Message-----
Hello. I am going to try posting this need for help
again,
hoping that someone will see this who can help solve my
problem. I want to publicly thank many of you who have
already tried to help me. Unfortunately, the problem has
not been solved.

First, a little about my system.. I use WINDOWS ME and IE
6 (with the latest updates). My system is a Dell Pentium
4
1.5 Ghz with 256MB RAM. It's about 3 1/2 years old.

This issue began about a about three weeks ago. Let me
try
and explain the scenario.. What happens is that the
system
boots up normally to the desktop - no problems that I can
see. I'll then go about my business such as accessing the
internet, etc.(using a cable modem)and still
everything seems fine. After I have finished (could be 10
minutes, or could be a couple hours), I close out of IE
browser to get back to the normal desktop.

Once back on the desktop, I might click on a different
icon (for example - EXCEL; WORD; My Documents "C" Drive
files, etc.). When I do so - the system totally freezes.
The hour glass just stays on. I give it a few minutes,
but
there is no change. So - I hit Ctrl-Alt-Del and the
running tasks menu comes up, shows the running programs
(of which there is only three: Explorer; NAV and SysTray)
and under on the Explorer line, it says, "Explorer(not
Responding)". I try and cancel out of this, but when I
do,
the screen goes blue and says that the system is busy.
So,
I hit Ctrl-Alt-Del again and reboot. When the reboot is
complete, everything appears to be working fine again
until the problem eventually repeats itself again.

Let's see.. here are some other pirces of info that could
help. When I first started experiencing this issue, I
also
noticed that the fan on my PC was running continuously
and
it was louder than usual - almost a chirping sound. I
keep
the unit cleaned and dusted for the most part. Since that
time, the chirping has slowly subsided, but the fan is
still always running. I personally tink that it's not
related to my problem, but I thought it should be
mentioned.

I scan my computer for viruses regularly (Norton with
updates)and there are no infections. Also, I run Stinger,
Ad-Aware about 2-3 times per week (with the latest
reference files updated); Spy-Bot; CDShredder and BHDemon
on a regular basis. I also clear out my Temporary
Internet
Files, and Temp files just about daily.

Based on prior solutions, I have tried to repair IE 6 in
Safe Mode, but that has not solved te problems.

Can anyone offer any other advice please. This is very
frustating and I have read through the Newsgroups and
cannot locate any problems that are similar to mine.
Thank
you for any additional help that you could provide.

Frank

.

What version of NAV are you using? NAV 2004 apparently has a known
incompatibility with WinME.

Can you temporarily disable the various components of NAV and go through the
sequence of browsing for a few minutes, then closing IE and see if the
Desktop still freezes?


--
"Frank wrote in message..
...I'll then go about my business such as accessing the
internet, etc.(using a cable modem)and still
everything seems fine. After I have finished (could be 10
minutes, or could be a couple hours), I close out of IE
browser to get back to the normal desktop.

Once back on the desktop, I might click on a different
icon (for example - EXCEL; WORD; My Documents "C" Drive
files, etc.). When I do so - the system totally freezes. ...

Hmmm.. WinMgmt.exe doesn't need to be running all the time. Disable it
from the Tasklist first before you do anything else. THEN do the browsing,
closing sequence and see if the Desktop is accessible without freezing.


--
One other thing just ocurred to me as well.. I mentioned
about the running programs (Explorer; NAV and Syst Tray).
I neglected to mention that sometimes I also see a running
program called "WinMgmt". There is nothing like that in my
start up but I thought I should mention that anyway.

Thanks for your help. To answer your questions..

(1) As far as Winmgt.exe... I am pretty certain that this
program does not start up automatically. How would I know
if it does? If I go into msconfig and then click on
startup what will clue me in as to whether this program
runs automatically. Also, what is Winmgt.exe?

(2) I use NAV 2002, and have paid for upgrades to that
software and have about 6-8 months remaining.

(3) I will try your suggested of disbaling NAV and see
what happens. Thanks.
-----Original Message-----
What version of NAV are you using? NAV 2004 apparently
has a known
incompatibility with WinME.

Can you temporarily disable the various components of NAV
and go through the
sequence of browsing for a few minutes, then closing IE
and see if the
Desktop still freezes?


--
"Frank wrote in message..
...I'll then go about my business such as accessing the
internet, etc.(using a cable modem)and still
everything seems fine. After I have finished (could be
10
minutes, or could be a couple hours), I close out of IE
browser to get back to the normal desktop.

Once back on the desktop, I might click on a different
icon (for example - EXCEL; WORD; My Documents "C" Drive
files, etc.). When I do so - the system totally
freezes. ...




.

Winmgmt.exe can be called by a number of application including the PCHealth
Scheduler for Data Collection. What follows may or may not be of interest.

PCHealth Scheduler for Data Collection:
The PCHealth entry in MSConfig | Startup and also in the Task Scheduler,
refers to the PCHealth Scheduler for Data Collection routine (pchschd.exe)
which launches winmgmt.exe to collect software and hardware configuration data
that can be accessed using Help & Support's System Information's History view.
In other words it allows you to see changes over a period of time to your
system such as drivers. The details collected are contained in the files
CollectedData???.xml files in the folder ..\windows\pchealth\helpctr\DataColl.

Note that all that pchschd.exe is doing every ten minutes is checking if the
system is idle or not. If idle it launches winmgmt.exe to collect the
information and sets itself to run again in 6 hours, if not it continues to
run at ten minute intervals until it finds the system is idle.

As to whether you need this historic data or not, only you can decide. A
number of us have long since decided to disable pchschd.exe having no use for
the collected data. It should be noted that if you contact MS or an OEM for
help that it is possible that they might request you send them these files.
If you do choose to disable pchschd.exe it is ESSENTIAL to delete/disable it
from both MSConfig | Startup and the Task Scheduler as otherwise the startup
entry will recreate the Task Scheduler entry when the system is rebooted.

One advantage of disabling the PCHealth Scheduler is that it minimizes the
chances of winmgmt.exe causing problems. What happens is that quite often
winmgmt.exe doesn't exit correctly when it has finished but instead remains
resident and using cpu cycles.

Note also that disabling these entries does NOT affect either System Restore
or System File Protect, nor AutoUpdate or your ability to use Help & Support,
all part of what Microsoft call "PCHealth".
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



Frank wrote:

Thanks for your help. To answer your questions..

(1) As far as Winmgt.exe... I am pretty certain that this
program does not start up automatically. How would I know
if it does? If I go into msconfig and then click on
startup what will clue me in as to whether this program
runs automatically. Also, what is Winmgt.exe?

(2) I use NAV 2002, and have paid for upgrades to that
software and have about 6-8 months remaining.

(3) I will try your suggested of disbaling NAV and see
what happens. Thanks.

Hi aa,

I am interested in your remark "NAV 2004 apparently has a known
incompatability with WinME"

I have been using NAV 2004 since it first came out with my Pent4 and
WinME and have had no probleams whatsoever .... what is supposed to be
the problem with it ?

Thanks,

Steve

On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 10:04:50 -0400, "aa"
wrote:

What version of NAV are you using? NAV 2004 apparently has a known
incompatibility with WinME.

Can you temporarily disable the various components of NAV and go through the
sequence of browsing for a few minutes, then closing IE and see if the
Desktop still freezes?

Ask any of the 200 or so people who've attempted to install it and come here
for advice when it kills their system either on the install, or later!


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
or
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f.../Mar27pmvp.asp

"Steve" wrote in message
...
Hi aa,

I am interested in your remark "NAV 2004 apparently has a known
incompatability with WinME"

I have been using NAV 2004 since it first came out with my Pent4 and
WinME and have had no probleams whatsoever .... what is supposed to be
the problem with it ?

Thanks,

Steve

On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 10:04:50 -0400, "aa"
wrote:

What version of NAV are you using? NAV 2004 apparently has a known
incompatibility with WinME.

Can you temporarily disable the various components of NAV and go through
the
sequence of browsing for a few minutes, then closing IE and see if the
Desktop still freezes?

Mike, I checked my system last evening. "pchschd.exe" is
already disabled and the box is not checked in startup so
I would guess that this is not what is causing winmgmt.exe
to pop up. Any other ideas? This wouldn't be related to
any kind of parasite or virus issue would it?

Secondly, as you can see from the lack of responses to my
issue, no one knows how to help me. Any ideas? I'm
desperate. Thanks.

Frank
-----Original Message-----
Winmgmt.exe can be called by a number of application
including the PCHealth
Scheduler for Data Collection. What follows may or may
not be of interest.

PCHealth Scheduler for Data Collection:
The PCHealth entry in MSConfig | Startup and also in the
Task Scheduler,
refers to the PCHealth Scheduler for Data Collection
routine (pchschd.exe)
which launches winmgmt.exe to collect software and
hardware configuration data
that can be accessed using Help & Support's System
Information's History view.
In other words it allows you to see changes over a period
of time to your
system such as drivers. The details collected are
contained in the files
CollectedData???.xml files in the
folder ..\windows\pchealth\helpctr\DataColl.

Note that all that pchschd.exe is doing every ten minutes
is checking if the
system is idle or not. If idle it launches winmgmt.exe to
collect the
information and sets itself to run again in 6 hours, if
not it continues to
run at ten minute intervals until it finds the system is
idle.

As to whether you need this historic data or not, only
you can decide. A
number of us have long since decided to disable
pchschd.exe having no use for
the collected data. It should be noted that if you
contact MS or an OEM for
help that it is possible that they might request you send
them these files.
If you do choose to disable pchschd.exe it is ESSENTIAL
to delete/disable it
from both MSConfig | Startup and the Task Scheduler as
otherwise the startup
entry will recreate the Task Scheduler entry when the
system is rebooted.

One advantage of disabling the PCHealth Scheduler is that
it minimizes the
chances of winmgmt.exe causing problems. What happens is
that quite often
winmgmt.exe doesn't exit correctly when it has finished
but instead remains
resident and using cpu cycles.

Note also that disabling these entries does NOT affect
either System Restore
or System File Protect, nor AutoUpdate or your ability to
use Help & Support,
all part of what Microsoft call "PCHealth".
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



Frank wrote:

Thanks for your help. To answer your questions..

(1) As far as Winmgt.exe... I am pretty certain that
this
program does not start up automatically. How would I
know
if it does? If I go into msconfig and then click on
startup what will clue me in as to whether this program
runs automatically. Also, what is Winmgt.exe?

(2) I use NAV 2002, and have paid for upgrades to that
software and have about 6-8 months remaining.

(3) I will try your suggested of disbaling NAV and see
what happens. Thanks.

.

You said:
"I neglected to mention that sometimes I also see a running
program called "WinMgmt". There is nothing like that in my
start up but I thought I should mention that anyway. "

To which I responded giving one reason of a number of reasons why winmgmt.exe
might be running.

As for why Explorer may not be responding then, yes, this could well be the
result of an unwanted parasite in which case you need to check your system and
state what you have done (you may already have done so but I only keep the
post headers for a couple of days so cannot check).

Sorry not to be able to help.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



Frank wrote:

Mike, I checked my system last evening. "pchschd.exe" is
already disabled and the box is not checked in startup so
I would guess that this is not what is causing winmgmt.exe
to pop up. Any other ideas? This wouldn't be related to
any kind of parasite or virus issue would it?

Secondly, as you can see from the lack of responses to my
issue, no one knows how to help me. Any ideas? I'm
desperate. Thanks.