Opening Windows Explorer Scans A-Drive

I’m running a Dell Pentium III as a workstation using Windows 98, and whenever I try to open Windows Explorer the A:drive immediately starts winding as if searching for it. Eventually Explorer opens, but it take 10 sec, seems to slows the system down, and eventually crashes completely. I’m loaded with RAM, so this shouldn’t be the cause. Could it have something to do with virtual memory settings? Do I need to reload Win98?