I'm just looking for ideas about why Windows Explorer freezes for as much as 30 seconds at a time when opening/right-clicking folders. For example, if I want to open my music folder, I'll double-click and it'll stall for about 20 secs, explorer will seem to crash, and then it'll open up. Then, if I right-click on something, the same will happen. I'm thinking that it has something to do with Windows refreshing the contents of the folder (music bitrates/lengths, or video thumbnails, etc...), the only problem is that it happens before it even opens the folder, so I figure it's got to be something else. Now, before you go guessing, it's not spyware. No viruses. I'm slowly getting rid of more and more XP services. I defrag once a week. Hell, I have two RAID-0 arrays just to keep my drives as fast as bloody possible. I just want my system to run as smoothly and as quickly as bloody well possible. Any ideas would be helpful, such as disk structure optimization, any XP services that could be causing the problem, or anything like that. Thanks.

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