When I click "My Computer" My computer crashes? Any help appreciated

I have Windows XP. I'm wondering if I have a hardware problem or software. Everytime I click "explore" or click the "My Computer" icon, the system freezes up and crashes. I have to power off (it won't shutdown). Anyone ever came across this? Any help apprecaited.

 

Well it sounds like you have a real problem. I would look first under device manager for errors. Can you Right click on my computer and select properities?
You should also try and run antivirus software.How long has this be doing this.
if it is under 5 days,then try a system restore..

 

It sounds like Windows is totally hosed. You could have hardware issues as well, though. Try running Memtest86+ overnight and see if you get any memory errors. Even 1 is one too many.

 

Try restarting Windows Explorer

1. Open up the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+ESC)
2. Click the 'Processes' Tab
3. Find 'Explorer.exe', right click and choose 'Kill Process'.
4. Click 'File' and choose 'New Task (Run)'
5. Type 'explorer.exe' and press enter

 

are you sure mega ? to bring up Task Manager, i thought it was "Ctrl + Alt + Del"

 

Try it and find out

If Windows is connected to a domain, CTRL+ALT+DEL will bring up the Security Box - not the task manager. CTRL-SHIFT+ESC becomes the default way to bring up the task manager

 

sorry mega,
will try it next time i boot XP, still struggling to install software on mandiva :swear:

 

Appears to be a windows problem to me. If a windows repair doesn't fix it I'd say backup your data and reinstall windows.