Windows Explorer Crashes When I Connect External Hard Drive

[bushleaguer88]

Hi,

I have windows 7 and a Dell computer and have been having an ongoing problem where I'll connect an external hard drive and windows explorer will need to be restarted after a few minutes of general glitchy behavior. I'll remove the external hard drive and everything will be ok....reconnect it and the problem resurfaces. I've tried reinstalling the USB driver and have made sure that the driver for the external hard drive installs correctly.

Any help with this is greatly appreciated!

Dan

 

[Prostar Computer]

Hi Dan!

Have you connected the external drive to more than one computer with the same result? I've seen this happen before on a couple of rare occasions, and it has always been the device itself on its way out.

 

[reedo_43]

Agree with the above...

 

[bushleaguer88]

Hi Dan!

Have you connected the external drive to more than one computer with the same result? I've seen this happen before on a couple of rare occasions, and it has always been the device itself on its way out.

Hi,

Yes, I've connected it to two different devices (both running the same operating system) and it doesn't do this. I've also tried other external hard drives and experience the same result with the computer in question.

 

[reedo_43]

Maybe the usb port is flaky? Do you have another to try?

 

[bushleaguer88]

Yes, I have multiple USB ports (2.0 and 3.0) and regardless of the port used the issue occur.

 

[Prostar Computer]

Yeah, I don't suspect the USB ports nor the controllers. I believe this is a software issue; either faulty drivers, or possibly malware.

Does Windows Explorer do the same thing in Safe Mode?

 

[ffg7]

bushleaguer88, do you have spybot search & destroy on your computer?

 

[bushleaguer88]

Prostar - Yes, the problem occurs in safe mode.

ffg7 - No, I don't have spybot installed.

Well, I don't know if this was the actual problem but I've been doing some research and the problem seems to be fixed by disabling explorer thumbnails. I guess loading all those small images was causing windows explorer to crash. Now, that could still be a symptom and not the real cure but for now I'll take what I can get.

Thank you everyone for your help!!!!

 

[Prostar Computer]

Hey, as long as it works! Thanks for following up, bushleaguer88.