[Troublemaker]

When trying to explore C drive I select start > my computer > © local disk. Double panes open with Directory visible on the left side, but when I click the (+) plus sign, a search flashlight appears in the right hand pane. Most of the time it quits responding and I have to close by using the Task Manager, sometimes it may display files and folders, but it takes a long time to do so. This all began after using the Eraser program to erase unused disk space. I tried System Restore but the restore point dates did not go far enough back before all this began. Any suggestions?

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There may be a free space wiper which works but I have yet to see it, and the ones I have, have put me off looking

Items in blue which are underlined are clickable to give more information about the process

Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, right click any file then click delete, confirm delete

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc defragmenter

Click start then run, type sfc /scannow then press enter, you need the XP CD

You can also start this with task manager, file, new task, type sfc /scannow then press enter

Windows File Protection will show a blue onscreen progress bar, when the bar goes, reboot

If there is no improvement

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the power button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

Click this to view the XP Repair Install Guide

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[Retired Tech]

There may be a free space wiper which works but I have yet to see it, and the ones I have, have put me off looking

Items in blue which are underlined are clickable to give more information about the process

Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, right click any file then click delete, confirm delete

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc defragmenter

Click start then run, type sfc /scannow then press enter, you need the XP CD

You can also start this with task manager, file, new task, type sfc /scannow then press enter

Windows File Protection will show a blue onscreen progress bar, when the bar goes, reboot

If there is no improvement

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the power button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

Click this to view the XP Repair Install Guide

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[Troublemaker]

Thanks, I'll give it try.

[Troublemaker]

The above tips did not work. I was so fustrated, I just took the bullet and backed up data, reformatted, and did a clean install of OS. Thanks for the tips.