Problem after installing SP2

[Joel Head]

I recently have been having a problem that is really driving me crazy. I
have recently updated XP pro to SP2. I am having a problem now
right-clicking files anywhere on my system. Windows will hang and give me an
error about "Dr. Watson postmortem has caused an error and needs to close".
After waiting a minute or two explorer.exe will close and open again and I
receive an event id 1002 saying "The shell stopped unexpectedly and
Explorer.exe was restarted."

What makes this even weirder is that I can right click on shortcuts and
other desktop icons with no problem, its just when I right click files no
matter where they are either on the desktop or somewhere on the harddrive.

I have uninstalled SP2 and tried to see if the problem went away and yes it
did. I then reinstalled SP2 again and the problem is back!

Any ideas? Thank you

[PA Bear]

1. Uninstall SP2 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot.

2. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
log to an appropriate forum.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.net/downloads/hijackthis.zip)
is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

3. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
of health.

Also see:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE, Shell/User, Security), AH-VSOP

Joel Head wrote:
> I recently have been having a problem that is really driving me crazy. I
> have recently updated XP pro to SP2. I am having a problem now
> right-clicking files anywhere on my system. Windows will hang and give
> me an error about "Dr. Watson postmortem has caused an error and needs to
> close". After waiting a minute or two explorer.exe will close and open
> again and I receive an event id 1002 saying "The shell stopped
> unexpectedly and Explorer.exe was restarted."
>
> What makes this even weirder is that I can right click on shortcuts and
> other desktop icons with no problem, its just when I right click files no
> matter where they are either on the desktop or somewhere on the harddrive.
>
> I have uninstalled SP2 and tried to see if the problem went away and yes
> it did. I then reinstalled SP2 again and the problem is back!
>
> Any ideas? Thank you

[Rock]

Joel Head wrote:

> I recently have been having a problem that is really driving me crazy. I
> have recently updated XP pro to SP2. I am having a problem now
> right-clicking files anywhere on my system. Windows will hang and give me an
> error about "Dr. Watson postmortem has caused an error and needs to close".
> After waiting a minute or two explorer.exe will close and open again and I
> receive an event id 1002 saying "The shell stopped unexpectedly and
> Explorer.exe was restarted."
>
> What makes this even weirder is that I can right click on shortcuts and
> other desktop icons with no problem, its just when I right click files no
> matter where they are either on the desktop or somewhere on the harddrive.
>
> I have uninstalled SP2 and tried to see if the problem went away and yes it
> did. I then reinstalled SP2 again and the problem is back!
>
> Any ideas? Thank you
>

In addition to PA Bear's advice this problem can be caused for certain
context menu handlers. See these links:

http://www.winxptutor.com/sp2/divxcrash.htm

"Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers"
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User