Windows 7: Green Ribbon of Death on Multiple New Computers.

We have a lot of computers running both 64bit and 32bit Windows 7 Professional and Enterprise. Most of the computers are brand new dell computers in the optiplex line. Almost all of these computers have a problem with the green ribbon of death. We have tried all of the fixes that I have been able to find online (turning off thumbnails, making all folders document type, turning off remote differential compression, etc.) none of these seem to make any difference. For those not aware, the green ribbon is when windows explorer freezes and the green bar at the top continues to load and never stops. My Computer and Control Panel are not accessible when this is happening. All of the computers are on a Windows 2008 Domain, but we have had some that were removed from the domain and still have the problem. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Are these machines formatted and loaded with Windows 7 in house? In other words are you using your own Windows 7 load or the one from Dell? If you are using the Dell load that will most likely be your problem. You need to wipe what Dell sends you and use your own load so you have complete control of what software is loaded and especially what is NOT. -WS

Most of them are still on the dell image, but we do have some that have a fresh install and nothing but drivers added and still have the problem.

Does the HD come on and stay on forever when this happens?

There seem to be HD driver problems with certin combinations of drives and controllers. The WD Green drives have this proiblem and I also had a similar issue using an Intel SSD.

Switching the mass storage driver from MS to Intel or other depending on the chipset or switching between IDE and AHCI mode inthe BIOS may help (The loatter should be done on a test machine only, switching that mode in the bios under windows can be tricky, initially boot into safe mode after the switch, then reboot again into normal mode if it boots up in safe mode ok)

Green ribbon of death?
I understand you to say that your webpages are taking to long to load. The ribbon is a way to show you when the request "you've made" is being accessed. And this happens with all machines in your office. Do I understand correctly?
I'm far from expert here so......................
Do all machines connect to the same server?
Does that server connect to a router>modem or is it being used as a router?
I would be surprised if Dell screwed the pooch the same way on every machine, that would be a systemic issue at Dell and there would be alot of unhappy customers.
Look at whats common to your network.
Is the networks modem set up right?
Is the networks router set up right?
Are the nic's, in individule computers, set right for your network, drivers correct?
Is your networks ISP service bandwidth enough and are you getting what you paid for?

Even the Computer I'm currently on has the problem, and it is a Gateway. The hard drive light flashes some, but just like normal use, it's not a constant on or flashing like it is overloaded. It almost seems to be an issue with our network, but since the problem persists on machines which have been removed from the domain, I had ruled that out.

What DOMAIN polices do you have set? If you miss set a setting in the Explorer settings or restrictions you can have many issues. If you have put other restrictions on the machines by policy you may have some conflicts. This can get even more complex if you use an IDS and/or Corporate firewall.

What happens if you load a test machine from scratch with Windows 7 all Microsoft Updates, no software (Office, Adobe, etc.) do not add to the domain?? Does it work; if it does then add it to the domain does it stop working??? If so then you know it is something changed by adding the machine to the domain. -WS

So it happens on:

1) Clean install of Windows 7 with no specific or unsusual software installed ? (No AV, no network prefetch code or internet connected software?)
2) Accessing the local HD using explorer. (Opening a folder?)
3) On a machine that is not on the network.
4) Explorer has NO mounted network drives?
5) No CDRom in the CDRom drive?

And is it any random folder? Or folders with specific files in them maybe?

I keep thinking HD issue since you say that control panel cannot be opened, and assuming no other explorer windows wil operate normally? It sounds like Windows is completely blocked on the HD which leads to a driver or hardware issue. Is the common demoninator is a specific chipset or HD type/manufacturer?

Course the other thing is a previewer locking up all instances of explorer which I nbelieve you alluded to possibly fixing with settings in your first post...

The OP made no mention of web pages or the internet. He said "windows explorer"...I know the problem he's talking about, but I don't know a solution.

Loading web pages is the only time I see a ribbon or downloading from net. I see no ribbon using normal desktop functions?