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XP hangs with only wallpaper displayed

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by altergeek

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

The symptoms appear to be very similar to https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-11184-0.html?forumID=47&threadID=165060

However, that was an XP Pro SP2 system, this is XP MCE 2005 SP3+ (all patches current). I've also noticed it seems to occur only in a non-Admin acct, but that could simply be coincidence, since I rarely login as Admin after cold-boot.

My workaround (assuming fast user-switching is enabled): {Win}L, logon as Admin, logoff non-Admin via TaskMan, logoff Admin, logon non-Admin

I've tried other things, such as {Ctrl}{Alt}{Del} logoff from the hung session, but WinXP then won't respond to the keyboard to allow logon to any acct.

... when it becomes more than an annoyance, I'll have a closer look, perhaps via Process Explorer, to see if it is possible to determine what is hanging.

11 replies

by peconet tietokoneet

You memory could be the cause of your issue here. If possible upgrade to at least 2GB. Or test another memory stick on/in your computer.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.
If this information is useful, please mark as helpful. Thanks.

by altergeek

Came w/ 2GB, and that has always passed MemTest+, on the random occasions I've tested it.

by altergeek

It only occurs occasionally, and I wasn't aware that XP is capable of uncorrupting a profile ... unless it is a misperception of corruption, that goes away. On another computer, running XP Home, it randomly occurs a user account corrupt, but after reboot, thinks it is fine.

by altergeek

Of the things mentioned in that KB article, "Auto-hide the taskbar option has been selected", or "The Explorer.exe file does not load during startup" look like the most promising leads.

Possibly coincidental, but I've noticed at other times that WindowsDefender (MsMpEng) seems to be delaying other processes, by chewing up a lot of CPU.

by zlitocook

It seems simple but, log in as Admin copy the user accounts you need or want to save.
Delete all the user accounts except the admin, and then check the size of the hard drive.
How much is left? If there is only a small section you need to clean and delete some things. First do you have a good antivirus program installed? And do you back up your drive? Delete cookies, temp files and internet files. You will have to go my computer then go to, folder options, view, tools and click on the show hidden files and folders. Then remove the check from hide extensions for known file types.
This happens because the programs that load before the desktop loads uses up the memory so the desktop can not load.
Try this CTRL+ALT+DEL and select task manager, select applications, new and type in explorer.

by altergeek

Free Space is half of 250 GB (even the worst MS Windows variants should be able to work flawlessly(?) with that (;<)). As mentioned in another reply, memory is 2GB.

AV is NOD32 4.0.437.0
Firewall is ZAP 8.0.298.000
Also using ThreatFire 4.5.0 (PCtools)

The tip about using TaskMan to start Explorer is worth a shot.

by ic-it

Then try
Ctrl-Shift-ESC
That opens the Taskmanager directly.

by kenone

difference is I can {Ctrl}{Alt}{Del} logoff then log in again and all is fine. I never let it go for 15 minutes, maybe one of these days. Totally random, only from cold boot, machine seems to have to be down for some time before it happens again.

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