I have an annoying problem with Windows Explorer and would be very grateful for some help:

It is only possible for me to browse my hard disks using the right hand pane of explorer. I do this by starting with a single click on "My Computer" on the left pane.

If I try to browse and expand directory trees for the hard disk using the left pane Windows Explorer freezes.

After it freezes, the task manager says that the program is not responding, but if I wait for a few minutes, it will eventually expand the directory tree, or go to the folder I selected.

The annoying thing is that this problem doesn't seem to occur if I use the explorer soon after starting the computer, but will definitely occur after using other programs.

Additionally I have experienced the problem from within other programs when I have come to save files and/or create new folders.

I have tried scanning for viruses, I have reinstalled Windows XP, I have downloaded all required MS updates, I have seached loads of help forums; all with no positive results.

Can anyone help?

Do you, per chance, own an NEC CDROM drive?

No, I have a Toshiba DVD-ROM SD-R6112.

The computer is a laptop

Yawningdog,
I have the same problem. I don't know how to solve it, however, I now use "my computer" from the start menu to do my browsing. It does the same thing as windows explorer and has not frozen on me, yet!!!

Marty525

Good to hear I'm not alone

open "windows task manager"
see if explorer.exe uses alot of cpu amount
if that's the case then i think u have a corrupt file in one of your folders.i think a media file.(.avi file?)(e.g .avi file that cannot be opened)
I had the same problem a while back.
if that's the case just remove it.