Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > Windows XP General Discussion > Windows Explorer crashing after running full-screen program

Windows Explorer crashing after running full-screen program

Forum Windows XP : Windows XP General Discussion - Windows Explorer crashing after running full-screen program

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tchsu11   02-05-2007 at 05:14:58 PM

Hi, got a troubling problem here. Haven't really changed my computer configuration, but over the past few days, I've noticed that as I've quit all programs running in full-screen mode (ie half-life, star wars), I've run into crashes at the desktop. The desktop will be partially redrawn, and I can see my mouse cursor moving, but that's it. My right-click menu will not come up, and if I click on the start menu, that does not come up either. I do see the hard disk spinning if I click on a desktop icon, but the associated program does not show up on the screen. I can also force the computer to reboot by hitting ctl-alt-del twice. Is there anyway to force the desktop to redraw or refresh itself (preferably with a shortcut key, as I can't see any menus)? Any other suggestions to try? This doesn't happen if I quit from a windowed application (such as iexplorer). Thanks much for the help and time!

Tom

Windows XP SP2
Pentium 4 2.4C OC to 2.7
Abit IC-7 MB
1 Gb PC3200 RAM
BFG 6600 GT AGP

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pscowboy   02-05-2007 at 08:28:42 PM
- 0 +

Your graphics card isn't good enough, technologically.

A better choice would have been the 6600gt OC for playing games.

A couple of suggestions:

1. Close out all programs before firing up the game.
2. Have patience after you exit. Give it 5 minutes.
3. Think about upgrading the video.
4. Think about going to dual-channel memory - and 2gs worth.

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tchsu11   02-05-2007 at 10:47:37 PM
- 0 +

Just to clarify...

Sorry, meant to say I was running the 6600GT OC version.
I've actually left it overnight, and the desktop was still frozen in the morning.
It's running dual-channel 512mbs right now.

I agree, it's a rather old configuration, but the puzzling thing is that I've been running this for about 2 years now, without any hiccups, and for this problem to come up in the past few days without any major changes puzzles me. Again, thanks for the help!

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pscowboy   02-05-2007 at 11:51:59 PM
- 0 +

That changes everything.

You've got a problematic device driver not wanting to let go.

Something may have caused you non-critical corruption. Go online and get the free scans from SpySweeper & AVG.

Then do a Repair install. Pop in the XP cd - restart & boot to it - Hit Enter at the first repair screen - hit R at the next one. DO NOT BOOT TO THE CD on the next two restarts.

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