>From one second to another, the file explorer on my WM5 device (HTC
Prophet) cannot display the contents of the windows directory anymore.
Instead, the timepiece pops up and remains, while the file explorer
application seems to be stuck in a loop (consuming most of the cpu
power which leads to other running applications not responding
anymore). Killing the file explorer via the task manager fails. All I
can do in such a situation is soft reset the device.

I can browse any other folder, the windows folder being the only
exception. I can even browse the windows folder without problems using
an alternative file explorer like total commander or from my PC when
the device is connected to it via active sync. It is just the
combination of the built-in file explorer and the windows folder.

I searched for files that were changed the day that behavior occurred
and could thus be suspect for being responsible, but found none.

I have tried with a different and no storage card inserted, but the
problem remains.

I don't really need to browse the windows folder using MS file
explorer. But I'm afraid that this is just a symptom of something
beeing broken, and I don't want to run into other problems.

Has anyone ever experienced the same problem and found a solution
(except hard resetting and reinstalling everything)?

Thanks a lot in advance,
Ralph

gamin@gmx.de (gamin@gmx.de) in
1170332291.431241.148700@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups. com:

>> From one second to another, the file explorer on my WM5 device (HTC
> Prophet) cannot display the contents of the windows directory anymore.
> Instead, the timepiece pops up and remains, while the file explorer
> application seems to be stuck in a loop (consuming most of the cpu
> power which leads to other running applications not responding
> anymore).
....
> I don't really need to browse the windows folder using MS file
> explorer. But I'm afraid that this is just a symptom of something
> beeing broken, and I don't want to run into other problems.
>
> Has anyone ever experienced the same problem and found a solution
> (except hard resetting and reinstalling everything)?

I have always experienced considerable delays before I could browse my WM5
Windows folder (HTC Wizard). I assume that it is merely the sheer number of
file names (and extended file attributes) that needs to be processed.
And possibly the low speed of non-volatile memory.

Did you happen to install software just prior to this slowdown?
Thay may explain the matter, if it should have placed many files in the
Windows directory.

--
Chris Laarman

Since you can access Windows folder using an alternative file
explorer, then the default file explorer is malfunctioning. I'm afraid
only a hard reset can help solve this problem. But as you wrote, you
can survive without the default file explorer, so just don't use it
anymore.

Linley Meslier
Pocket PC Mauritius.

gamin@gmx.de wrote:
> >From one second to another, the file explorer on my WM5 device (HTC
> Prophet) cannot display the contents of the windows directory anymore.
> Instead, the timepiece pops up and remains, while the file explorer
> application seems to be stuck in a loop (consuming most of the cpu
> power which leads to other running applications not responding
> anymore). Killing the file explorer via the task manager fails. All I
> can do in such a situation is soft reset the device.
>
> I can browse any other folder, the windows folder being the only
> exception. I can even browse the windows folder without problems using
> an alternative file explorer like total commander or from my PC when
> the device is connected to it via active sync. It is just the
> combination of the built-in file explorer and the windows folder.
>
> I searched for files that were changed the day that behavior occurred
> and could thus be suspect for being responsible, but found none.
>
> I have tried with a different and no storage card inserted, but the
> problem remains.
>
> I don't really need to browse the windows folder using MS file
> explorer. But I'm afraid that this is just a symptom of something
> beeing broken, and I don't want to run into other problems.
>
> Has anyone ever experienced the same problem and found a solution
> (except hard resetting and reinstalling everything)?
>
> Thanks a lot in advance,
> Ralph

would suggest you remove the memory card and see if the problem
remains... there have been some serious issues with memory card access
under wm5 which, once begun, compound and continue. For example, any
shortcut pointing to a network resource when not connected (not common)

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

He's not trying to access his memory card, only the windows folder. he
can't even do it through activesync on his PC.

Linley Meslier
Pocket PC Mauritius.


Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:
> would suggest you remove the memory card and see if the problem
> remains... there have been some serious issues with memory card access
> under wm5 which, once begun, compound and continue. For example, any
> shortcut pointing to a network resource when not connected (not common)
>
> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

>> He's not trying to access his memory card, only the windows folder.
he can't even do it through activesync on his PC. <<

That's not relevant to the reason I posted the suggestion.

Even if "he" is not accessing the memory card, it's likely that file
explorer, both on the ppc and pc might be.

If the problem continues without the memory card in place (and following
a soft reset) then the fact that the memory card is not a factor is
relevant.

Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

You may be right but he can access the windows folder from Total
Commander.

Linley Meslier
Pocket PC Mauritius.

Beverly Howard [Ms-MVP/MobileDev] wrote:
> >> He's not trying to access his memory card, only the windows folder.
> he can't even do it through activesync on his PC. <<
>
> That's not relevant to the reason I posted the suggestion.
>
> Even if "he" is not accessing the memory card, it's likely that file
> explorer, both on the ppc and pc might be.
>
> If the problem continues without the memory card in place (and following
> a soft reset) then the fact that the memory card is not a factor is
> relevant.
>
> Beverly Howard [MS MVP-Mobile Devices]

Thank you for your quick responses.

> If the problem continues without the memory card in place (and following
> a soft reset) then the fact that the memory card is not a factor is
> relevant.

I already tried without a memory card, as well as with a different one
(with soft resetting the device after removal/insertion). I think I
can safely exclude the memory card from the list of suspects.

> I have always experienced considerable delays before I could browse my WM5
> Windows folder (HTC Wizard). I assume that it is merely the sheer number of
> file names (and extended file attributes) that needs to be processed.
> And possibly the low speed of non-volatile memory.

That was what I thought at the beginning, but even if I give it five
minutes to finish, it won't. Third-party file explorers, however, need
about five seconds for processing and displaying the windows folder's
content.

> Did you happen to install software just prior to this slowdown?
> Thay may explain the matter, if it should have placed many files in the
> Windows directory.

No. The last software I installed before the error occurred was Opera
Mobile Trial. I uninstalled it in the meantime, but the error remains.

I remember that I was actually browsing the windows folder when it
happened. I played a sound file, and when I closed (or minimized)
media player, file explorer got stuck while re-reading the windows
folder content and refuses to do it from that moment on.

That's what I thought. if you really need file explorer, you're only
option is to hard reset. otherwise just use Total Commander.

Linley Meslier
Pocket PC Mauritius.

gamin@gmx.de wrote:
> Thank you for your quick responses.
>
> > If the problem continues without the memory card in place (and following
> > a soft reset) then the fact that the memory card is not a factor is
> > relevant.
>
> I already tried without a memory card, as well as with a different one
> (with soft resetting the device after removal/insertion). I think I
> can safely exclude the memory card from the list of suspects.
>
> > I have always experienced considerable delays before I could browse my WM5
> > Windows folder (HTC Wizard). I assume that it is merely the sheer number of
> > file names (and extended file attributes) that needs to be processed.
> > And possibly the low speed of non-volatile memory.
>
> That was what I thought at the beginning, but even if I give it five
> minutes to finish, it won't. Third-party file explorers, however, need
> about five seconds for processing and displaying the windows folder's
> content.
>
> > Did you happen to install software just prior to this slowdown?
> > Thay may explain the matter, if it should have placed many files in the
> > Windows directory.
>
> No. The last software I installed before the error occurred was Opera
> Mobile Trial. I uninstalled it in the meantime, but the error remains.
>
> I remember that I was actually browsing the windows folder when it
> happened. I played a sound file, and when I closed (or minimized)
> media player, file explorer got stuck while re-reading the windows
> folder content and refuses to do it from that moment on.

At 01 Feb 2007 09:18:39 -0800 Linley Meslier wrote:
> That's what I thought. if you really need file explorer, you're only
> option is to hard reset. otherwise just use Total Commander.


This is out of left field, but just for a lark, why not try running the
"welcome.exe" file in the \windows directory (with the 3rd party
explorer, obvipusly!)

Don't panic when running it- it's the "tap the screen to continue"/align
screen/stylus tutorial start-up program like you see when you hard reset,
but no data is lost.

No one has ever explained to me exactly what it does, but it apparently
resets some registers or something because it's fixed many a WinMobile
weirdness (usually, in my case, affecting PIE rather than File Explorer)
for me over the years, sometimes saving me from having to resort to a
hard reset.

It might help, and certainly can't hurt! Give it a shot.

On Feb 2, 1:18 am, "Linley Meslier" <meslie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That's what I thought. if you really need file explorer, you're only
> option is to hard reset. otherwise just use Total Commander.
>
> Linley Meslier
> Pocket PC Mauritius.
>
> g...@gmx.de wrote:
> > Thank you for your quick responses.
>
> > > If the problem continues without the memory card in place (and following
> > > a soft reset) then the fact that the memory card is not a factor is
> > > relevant.
>
> > I already tried without a memory card, as well as with a different one
> > (with soft resetting the device after removal/insertion). I think I
> > can safely exclude the memory card from the list of suspects.
>
> > > I have always experienced considerable delays before I could browse my WM5
> > > Windows folder (HTCWizard). I assume that it is merely the sheer number of
> > > file names (and extended file attributes) that needs to be processed.
> > > And possibly the low speed of non-volatile memory.
>
> > That was what I thought at the beginning, but even if I give it five
> > minutes to finish, it won't. Third-party file explorers, however, need
> > about five seconds for processing and displaying the windows folder's
> > content.
>
> > > Did you happen to install software just prior to this slowdown?
> > > Thay may explain the matter, if it should have placed many files in the
> > > Windows directory.
>
> > No. The last software I installed before the error occurred was Opera
> > Mobile Trial. I uninstalled it in the meantime, but the error remains.
>
> > I remember that I was actually browsing the windows folder when it
> > happened. I played a sound file, and when I closed (or minimized)
> > media player, file explorer got stuck while re-reading the windows
> > folder content and refuses to do it from that moment on.

Just a thought, but I noticed that when I have my File Explorer set to
sort by file type or file size, it takes ages to load.

could this perhaps be the problem?

Just a thought if nothing else seems to help.

I'm thinking that maybe the Windows folder has grown too big. download
sk tools (WWW.s-k-tools.com). this is a good cleanup tool. Let me know
if this helps.

Linley Meslier
Pocket PC Mauritius.

Travis wrote:
> On Feb 2, 1:18 am, "Linley Meslier" <meslie...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > That's what I thought. if you really need file explorer, you're only
> > option is to hard reset. otherwise just use Total Commander.
> >
> > Linley Meslier
> > Pocket PC Mauritius.
> >
> > g...@gmx.de wrote:
> > > Thank you for your quick responses.
> >
> > > > If the problem continues without the memory card in place (and following
> > > > a soft reset) then the fact that the memory card is not a factor is
> > > > relevant.
> >
> > > I already tried without a memory card, as well as with a different one
> > > (with soft resetting the device after removal/insertion). I think I
> > > can safely exclude the memory card from the list of suspects.
> >
> > > > I have always experienced considerable delays before I could browse my WM5
> > > > Windows folder (HTCWizard). I assume that it is merely the sheer number of
> > > > file names (and extended file attributes) that needs to be processed.
> > > > And possibly the low speed of non-volatile memory.
> >
> > > That was what I thought at the beginning, but even if I give it five
> > > minutes to finish, it won't. Third-party file explorers, however, need
> > > about five seconds for processing and displaying the windows folder's
> > > content.
> >
> > > > Did you happen to install software just prior to this slowdown?
> > > > Thay may explain the matter, if it should have placed many files in the
> > > > Windows directory.
> >
> > > No. The last software I installed before the error occurred was Opera
> > > Mobile Trial. I uninstalled it in the meantime, but the error remains.
> >
> > > I remember that I was actually browsing the windows folder when it
> > > happened. I played a sound file, and when I closed (or minimized)
> > > media player, file explorer got stuck while re-reading the windows
> > > folder content and refuses to do it from that moment on.
>
> Just a thought, but I noticed that when I have my File Explorer set to
> sort by file type or file size, it takes ages to load.
>
> could this perhaps be the problem?
>
> Just a thought if nothing else seems to help.

Welcome.exe helps you recreate configuration files that may have been
deleted by mistake.


Linley Meslier
Pocket PC Mauritius

At 01 Feb 2007 21:37:53 -0800 Linley Meslier wrote:
> Welcome.exe helps you recreate configuration files that may have been
> deleted by mistake.

Thanks for the info- I know it's helped fix stuff for me, I just never
knew why!

> Just a thought, but I noticed that when I have my File Explorer set to
> sort by file type or file size, it takes ages to load.

> could this perhaps be the problem?

Oh my God, shame on me. You are right. The little dropdown menu was
set to "sort by type", and setting it back to "sort by name" fixed
everything. Maybe this setting causes file explorer to run into memory
problems and block when chewing on folders as large as the windows
folder.

Even if it was not applicable to this problem, I find the welcome.exe
hint quite useful, too. In case something else breaks in the future, I
will give it a try. And the sk tools helped me find and remove lots of
useless junk (most of it from opera).

Thanks for all the helpful replies!

Best regards,
Ralph