Windows Explorer/Computer hanging and other strange issues

[chris18]

First time posting.

Yesterday afternoon I noticed that some functions of Vista Home Premium, on my new Toshiba Equium P300-16T purchased on 11th July, seemed to be running slowly.

Just prior to that I had a Google Desktop update icon appearing in the taskbar and at one stage I had the Google desktop update appear in my browser window saying Google Desktop was ready for use. I have never used it so thought that it might have been triggered by mistake so eventually found my way to uninstalling it via the normal Programs and Features option. I believe now however that it was installed during the initial Vista on the 12th although I had never used it.

Shortly after I found that if I used Windows Explorer or accessed Computer from the Start both would hang with the not responding message. Thinking it might have been a program I recently installed I uninstalled the last two small programs (installed the day before)but same problems. I then tried to do a System Restore to try and get back to a fully working version (which is what I used to do in Windows XP) but although this ran it finally reported it had failed and no changes had been made to my system.

I tried a couple of restore dates but same error. I then tried to uninstall Flight Simulator X which was one of the last programs I installed but the InstallWizard will only get so far and then stops.

I have tried again this morning and have the same Windows Explorer problem etc. so I cannot access any files on the system although as far as I can see everything else seems to be OK ( I have run a couple of programs), both IE & Windows Mail work fine.

I have tried to uninstall Flight Simulator X again by inserting the DVD but autorun doesn't seem to function and as I cannot access the disc directly I am unable to start the install process manually.

I am very much a beginner with Vista and having problems finding my way to the various sections I want. I am worried that something happened to the system yesterday for some reason, although whether this is related to Google Desktop I can't be sure, especially as System Restore isn't working which is always a good way to resolve software install issues.

Have been thinking that perhaps booting in SAFE MODE might help identify the problem or that a full re-install might turn out to be the only solution, or does Vista have a repair option? Hope a full install isn't the answer, as although I haven't fully loaded the system it would still be a pain and I would have to use the recovery discs I created due to not being able to access the files stored on the hard drive.

Can you help please

[JimB]

Well to tell you the truth, Windows Explorer hanging is perfectly normal with Vista. And it has nothing to do with CPU or not enough RAM. In fact my Explorer on my Vista OS hangs from day 1. And this on a regular base. On the other hand when it "hangs" there's this strange transparant cover like a condom that covers your whole screen; that's why I call Vista the Condom OS.

[chris18]

Have now discovered that the problem is with a new USB hub I bought recently. I had my usb stick plugged into it and after much head scratching I decided I wasn't using it at that momenr so unplugged it.

As soon as I did that everything started working again.

Have found that the hub only works properly when plugged into one of the usb ports on the left hand side (looking from the front) plugging it into either of the right hand ports causes problems.

Very strange. I know that with a desktop plugging a usb hub into the front slots rather than those at the rear can cause problems but didn't think this would happen with the laptop as I assumed, incorrectly it seems, that all the usb slots had the same priority/function.