Windows Explorer slows down, starts taking 99% of CPU, after browsing a media folder, XP

[Jon Hyland]

I have been having this problem for a while. Whenever I open a folder
that has either my DivX movies or sometimes MP3 files (especially if I
have clicked on one), the computer slows down to a crawl. I open the
task manager and sort the processes by CPU time. When I do this I
notice that explorer.exe is usually taking up like 98-99% of the
resources. I can solve this problem by end-tasking explorer.exe,
which rids me of the task bar and such. I of course then manually
restart explorer.exe and everything is fine. Unfortunately this
happens EVERY time I open a folder containing my movies (DivX format).
This behavior is unaceptable in my opinion and I would really
appreciate if someone knew why this was happening. I have tried
reformatting a few times to no avail. This is happening on BOTH of my
computers not just one.

Some information about my machine..

Running Windows XP Pro
1800 AMD T-Bird
256 DDR Ram
40+120GB HD
DivX codec 5.02

On some previous posts by other people having a similar problem,
running a virus scan was mentioned. I am using Norton Antivirus 2002
with (I believe) all the newest virus definitions. There are no known
viruses (anymore) on my system, which is extensive.

I know DivX is a common format for video compression these days and I
can't imagine everyone using it has this problem. I currently am
using the 5.02 codec (and no other).

Thanks in advance
Jon

[Kelly]

Hi Jon,

A workaround is to create a shortcut to your Desktop and view from
there. This
has to do with how Windows XP previews files when opened with
Explorer.

Automated Edit: This edit prevents high usage when browsing AVI
files.

AVI Search Remove - Restore (Line 74)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual Edits: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to the key below
and delete the default data (right pane).

For AVI's

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\
shellex\PropertyHandler

For MP3's

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.mp3\shellex\PropertyHandler

Note: Make a backup (export) the key before editing just for
precautionary measures.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP-Shell/User [AE-Windows® XP]
Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

"Jon Hyland" <jonh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:f2eb7bdc.0212...@posting.google.com...

[Sean Rowan]

I have had similar problem, I ahve AMD XP 1800 512 DDR 60GB+100GB Divex 5.02
Heres what I think the deal is. I assume your directories are chucked full
of divx and Mp3's I do not think that the explorer shell can support that
kind of amount of information. Especially with the preview pane open and
all the little data it tries to automatically collect about each file.
My suggestion is what my next step is going to be. To go to a third party
shell. I have heard good thinkgs about a shell program called GEO Shell, so
I am going to give it a try. You might try that too, or you may want to
look into turning off soe of your advanced options like the preview and
detail pains.

"Jon Hyland" <jonh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:f2eb7bdc.0212...@posting.google.com...

[Jon Hyland]

Well this seems to have worked so far... I went and cleared the data
from this key..

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler

from the registry and have not got the problem since. This is all I
have done and it seems to work fine. Thanks!

Jon

"Kelly" <ke...@mvps.org> wrote in message news:<e2#7BSYqCHA.2484@TK2MSFTNGP10>...

[Kelly]

You are welcome, Jon. Glad all is well and thanks for the
feedback.

--
All the Best,
Kelly

MS-MVP Win98/XP-Shell/User [AE-Windows® XP]
Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

"Jon Hyland" <jonh...@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:f2eb7bdc.02122...@posting.google.com...