Extremely Stubborn XP Problem

When I try to access system folders through Windows=20
Explorer, the system32 folder in particular but not=20
limited to the system32 folder, my PC will lock up tight.=20

Nothing short of resetting or shutting it off and turning=20
it back on works to unlock it. I have checked the event=20
viewer. I have cleared the event viewer then purposely=20
locked it up to see if there is anyhing new in it but I=20
do not find any errors.

I can get the computer to lock up at will just by trying=20
to access system folders. Otherwise, I can basically run=20
the PC all day and perform different tasks and run=20
software without a problem.=20

I have even stripped the computer to the bare minimum,=20
just a video card, memory and hard drive, swapped out=20
video cards, swapped out memory and tried safe mode,=20
updated the BIOS and updated all of the drivers for the=20
motherboard as well as what litle hardware is left in the=20
machine and yet the problem persists.

I know the best advice would probably be to not try=20
browsing the system folders, however there still has got=20
to be a reason for and a=20
solution to the problem.

System components a

AMD Athlon 1400
ECS K7VTA3 motherboard
512 MB Ram
LinkSys NC100 NIC
IBM 100 GB Hdd
ATI Radeon 7500 Video Card
On Board Audio RealTek ALC100/P AC'97 CODEC
VIA=AE Apollo KT266A North Bridge VT8366A
VIA=AE VT8233A South Bridge=20

BIOS has been updated to the most current version

Your help is greatly appreciated

Best Regards,
D. Beaulieu

Don wrote:
When I try to access system folders through Windows
Explorer, the system32 folder in particular but not
limited to the system32 folder, my PC will lock up tight.

Nothing short of resetting or shutting it off and turning
it back on works to unlock it. I have checked the event
viewer. I have cleared the event viewer then purposely
locked it up to see if there is anyhing new in it but I
do not find any errors.

I can get the computer to lock up at will just by trying
to access system folders. Otherwise, I can basically run
the PC all day and perform different tasks and run
software without a problem.

I have even stripped the computer to the bare minimum,
just a video card, memory and hard drive, swapped out
video cards, swapped out memory and tried safe mode,
updated the BIOS and updated all of the drivers for the
motherboard as well as what litle hardware is left in the
machine and yet the problem persists.

I know the best advice would probably be to not try
browsing the system folders, however there still has got
to be a reason for and a
solution to the problem.

System components a

AMD Athlon 1400
ECS K7VTA3 motherboard
512 MB Ram
LinkSys NC100 NIC
IBM 100 GB Hdd
ATI Radeon 7500 Video Card
On Board Audio RealTek ALC100/P AC'97 CODEC
VIA® Apollo KT266A North Bridge VT8366A
VIA® VT8233A South Bridge

BIOS has been updated to the most current version

Your help is greatly appreciated

Best Regards,
D. Beaulieu

Don wrote:
When I try to access system folders through Windows
Explorer, the system32 folder in particular but not
limited to the system32 folder, my PC will lock up tight.

Nothing short of resetting or shutting it off and turning
it back on works to unlock it. I have checked the event
viewer. I have cleared the event viewer then purposely
locked it up to see if there is anyhing new in it but I
do not find any errors.

I can get the computer to lock up at will just by trying
to access system folders. Otherwise, I can basically run
the PC all day and perform different tasks and run
software without a problem.

I have even stripped the computer to the bare minimum,
just a video card, memory and hard drive, swapped out
video cards, swapped out memory and tried safe mode,
updated the BIOS and updated all of the drivers for the
motherboard as well as what litle hardware is left in the
machine and yet the problem persists.

I know the best advice would probably be to not try
browsing the system folders, however there still has got
to be a reason for and a
solution to the problem.

System components a

AMD Athlon 1400
ECS K7VTA3 motherboard
512 MB Ram
LinkSys NC100 NIC
IBM 100 GB Hdd
ATI Radeon 7500 Video Card
On Board Audio RealTek ALC100/P AC'97 CODEC
VIA® Apollo KT266A North Bridge VT8366A
VIA® VT8233A South Bridge

BIOS has been updated to the most current version

Your help is greatly appreciated

Best Regards,
D. Beaulieu
Try this: Open My Documents/up on the Toolbar-click Tools/Folder
Options/View -then scroll down to "Do not show hidden files and folders"
and uncheck-then add a checkmark to the next one "Show hidden files and
folders"-then scroll down to "Hide protected operating system files" and
uncheck the box-when the Nag Screen appears, say Yes-go to the Top and click
"Apply to all Folders"-click Ok at the bottom. This just might solve the
problem. A warning-after you look at the file you want and do your thing; go
back to My Documents/Tools/Folder Options/View-and click "Restore Defaults".

--
Gene