Freezes when Search for Files and Folders stops
 

On my XP Thinkpad, several years old, 'Search for Files and Folders' works
fine until it stops, either by a STOP command or just finishing. At the the
stopping point, the screen freezes, although I can still move the cursor. I
have to use Task Manager to shut down Non-Responding Search for Files and
Folders. Then Windows returns to normal. I am not sure whether this problem
began with adding a 1TB external hard drive. My computer has no other
functional problems. Any good ideas out there?