Hi there I haven't installed any software and all of a sudden when I right click in a folder the computer freezes and I have to press the restart button. Does anyone know why this would suddenly happen? I have scanned for virus but nothing showed up. Thanks for any replies :-)

Try rebooting your computer into safe mode. I dont know the real proper way to do this (ive tried the F8 thing under XP but it usually proves unsuccessfull) but i know that if you reboot your computer, and when you see the microsoft windows xp logo and that little progress bar thing reboot your computer again and itl come up with this menu that says something like "Windows did not start all the way up the last time it was attempted, whatcha wanna do" and select "Safe mode". There are a lot of safe mode options but just do "safe mode" or "boot into safe mode" or whatever it says. Just dont goto "safe mode with networking" or "safemode in dos or command or shell or whatever". Then windows will start up with safe mode written on all four corners of the screen and youll have really crappy video. Try right clicking on something then. if it doesnt work, then something really went wrong in either your system or your mouse. ive never heard of this happening in a mouse before but i guess it would be possible. if it does work then its probebly just something minor that starts up when windows does. If its your system, then you need to most likely re-install windows. If its not, try going to start>run and type in msconfig and uncheck "load startup items" select, apply, ok and reboot your computer. try right clicking on something when your computer comes back on, if it works, then run msconfig again, recheck "load startup items", and click on the startup tab and uncheck anything that doesnt need to be there. if the startup thing doesnt work then i dont know what it would be, but u could try a new mouse.

to restart in safe mode, constantly hit F8 BEFORE the logo and bars come up onto the screen. It should then ask you what to do. if it shows the logo and bars but doesn't ask what to do, then you were too late hitting F8

This may apply . Have you updated to sp2 ? Temporary Decline in Performance Occurs When You Right-Click a File or Folder in Windows Explorer http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819101

Hi guys and thanks for replying. I have tried what you said about Safe Mode and the same problem happened. It only happens when I try to click on a Directory or file. I can right click the desktop ok and copy and paste from the internet. I tried to turn off all start up and that didn't work. The strange thing is that when I tried to Scan the disk for errors I can't even get to look at properties of the Drive by going into adminstrative tasks where the right click isn't needed. I tried doing what it said at the Microsoft web page that you recommended and still nothing happened. I am running SP2 but I don't understand because it only started happening today and I didn't make any changes to the system. Hope someone can help me out

This is a small extract from the links provided . http://www.ultratech-llc.com/KB/ASP/FileView.asp?File=/KB/BSOD.TXT http://www.ultratech-llc.com/KB/?File=BSOD.TXT http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winntas/tips/techrep/bsod.asp http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=325011 http://windows.about.com/library/weekly/aa030599.htm http://windows.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q192/4/63.asp http://www.labmice.net/WindowsXP/TroubleshootingXP/error.htm http://sft-cyber.com/stoperrors.htm http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm Troubleshooting Windows STOP Errors (BSOD) and Freezes The following issues are easily responsible for 99% of all system instability issues, particularly with Windows: • Bad or Flaky RAM • High CPU/Case temperatures (Insufficient cooling) • Bad Drivers (usually with el-cheapo hardware) • Inadequate or Dirty Power • Overclocking (some devices cannot run out of spec) • Improper Permissions/Rights (results in Access Denied) • Dirty Upgrade from Win9x/ME to 2000/XP • Virus Infection (can result in a wide variety of problems) • Incorrect jumper settings on your hard drive • Improperly terminated drivers and controller • Disabled or Misconfigured Services SYMPTOMS OF COMMON ISSUES • Bad Drivers ............ BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) or Spontaneous Reboot • Overheating ............ Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze • Bad/Flaky RAM .......... Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze or Failed Install • Dirty Power ............ Spontaneous Reboot or System Generated Errors • Inadequate Power ....... BSOD or Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze • Overclocking ........... BSOD or Spontaneous Reboot or System Freeze • Improper Permissions ... BSOD or System Generated Errors • Dirty upgrade .......... BSOD or System Errors or Slowness or Erratic Behavior • Virus Infection ........ Inexplicable slowness or Highly Erratic Behavior • Wrong Drive Settings ... Inexplicable slowness or Failed Install or Long Boot times • Bad SCSI Termination ... Inexplicable slowness or Failed Install or Long Boot times • Disabled Services ...... Poor System Performance or Installation Problems or Limited OS Functionality Troubleshooting system lock-up problems http://www.legge40.freeserve.co.uk/Tips2.htm#LOCKUP ==================================== You may be able to get more info from the Event viewer . HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;308427 ================================ Windows XP Events and Errors Enter the message source and ID in the text field, then click G http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/support/ee.asp Or , http://www.eventid.net/search.asp Or , Windows Error Generator http://www.netdevel.net.nz/index.php?mod1=netdevel/software Ever wondered what Error(312) means ? Look it up with this, or have it list all the errors your operating system is able to give. Also good for programmers who need to throw a specific system error. Go to Software menu.

Guys guys guys .. I have the exact same problem that the initial poster wrote about. Why are you giving him answers for BLUE SCREENS or OVERHEATING? Here is the simple explanation, ONCE AGAIN, of what happens with NO ADDITIONS OR SUBTRACTIONS! Under WINDOWS XP, WITHOUT SP2 but ALL OTHER UPDATES INSTALLED MANUALLY. When you attempt to RIGHT CLICK on a FOLDER or a FILE the hour-glass icon comes up for about 15 - 20 seconds and your computer doesn't freeze in the sense that it is unusable, but the right-click function to get the sub-menu did NOT work. After 15-20 seconds, instead of the sub-menu popping up, you're left where you were before - with the mouse pointer over the folder. If you right-click within a few seconds, the menu pops up. If you wait more than 5 - 10 seconds to attempt to right click again, the same pause / freeze occurs for 15-20 seconds. You are ABLE to use the computer, but if you attempt to minimize or shut down the window within which you've attempted to right click in, you will not be allowed to minimize or shut down the window until AFTER the 15-20 second pause runs its course. No other problems are found with Windows XP - at all! Does this paint a clearer picture? Please no more posts about BSOD's or intalling SP2. Just a clear remedy. Thanks. ------- Please Leave Message BEEP -------