Windows Explorer won't allow files to be saved to Documents

[Prskater]

Since last Tuesday's Microsoft Windows Update, my Windows Explorer is experiencing a number of issues.

The update hung for hours on "preparing to update" or some such thing.

I had to manually shut the computer off several times and finally tried the safe mode start, which warned me that the update was not fully done.

Now, when I click on Favorites/My Documents, it hangs; like it is searching but when the shaded bar gets to the end, it stays there and Explorer freezes. When I click on any the window, it goes whitish and a message pops up asking if I want to continue waiting or should the program be closed. I shut the program down.

If I click any other item on Favorites or Libraries, even Documents within Libraries, Explorer does ok.

When I try to save a file in Photoshop or Dreamweaver or any other program, a message pops up saying the program failed to respond and gives me the option to wait or close the program.

Even if I try to print to PDF, it does the same thing.

In other words any time I need to save any item from within any program, the programs freeze. I even changed the save folder in PDF Phantom, from documents to downloads and still it won't save.

My next step will probably be PC Restore and to hell with everything.

I tried system restore but it won't fully restore. A message pops up after the computer restarts saying that a complete restore was not done.

Next step PC Restore and start all over again, from scratch. hell!

Roxy

 

[richc46]

Roxy
Lets get the real potential problems out of the way
A full anti virus scan
Donwload and scan with malwarebytes. Be sure its the full scan and its updated first

If negative
Type event viewer in search and look for errors.

 

[karlsnooks]

Roxy,
I second Rich's advise.

Here's the link:
Malwarebytes

Just 2 days ago, I used MalwareBytes to remove 190 infections from a chap's laptop.

 

[Prskater]

I'm running Malwarebytes' for the last 44 minutes.

I'll post the results ASAP.

Thank you all.

Roxy

 

[karlsnooks]

Excellent Roxy. This will either eliminate the problem or help us to know what to pursue next.

 

[richc46]

It can take up to 90 minutes or so
Do not forget the antivirus. The two are not looking for the same thing.

 

[karlsnooks]

Depending upon the hardware and the size and number of files on the disk and depending upon quick or full scan, I've had MalwareBytes run for well over two hours, but never regretted one second thereof as MalwareBytes enabled me to solve a chap's problems.

 

[Prskater]

After one hour and 18 minutes, Malwarebytes' says there are no malicious items detected and no files infected.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Roxy

 

[Prskater]

Richc46, FYI I had run an anti-virus previously.

Roxy

 

[richc46]

With system restore go back and uninstall the updates If you are working properly install one by one to find the culprit.

 

[karlsnooks]

Also uninstall your present AV software.

Download, install and RUN Microsoft Security Essentials.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

[Prskater]

I used the system restore from several earlier dates, all the way to last month, and a message pops up saying that it could not fully restore all files and Win7 opens up fine. But I can't save files from programs such as Photoshop or Dreamweaver, in which the little sand clock just stays on forever and the window turns a whitish color and is stuck until I click the X to close the program. A window message pops-up saying Dreamweaver not responding and gives me the choice to close the program or wait for the program to respond at which time I just chose to close the program and lose all the changes to the file.

I can save WordPad files.

And Windows Explorer also freezes when I click on My Documents in Favorites. I can, however, click on other folders from the sidebar, such as downloads, videos and pictures...

Go figure.

Thank you.

Roxy

 

[Prskater]

Did the Microsoft Security Essentials and nothing found.

Thanks

Roxy

 

[richc46]

Perform this scan, up to 3 times if errors are found
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[karlsnooks]

Roxy,

At some point in time your computer was working.

Uninstall ALL programs which you have installed since that time.

Does your system work correctly, other than for the the now missing programs?

 

[Prskater]

Richc46: Ok. I did the sfc deal but I can't open the cbs.log file: Access Denied. Tried changing permissions to no avail.

Karlsnooks: I have not installed any new programs for several months.

 

[richc46]

Assume that the log has errors, run three more times to try to correct them.

 

[karlsnooks]

Richc46: Ok. I did the sfc deal but I can't open the cbs.log file: Access Denied. Tried changing permissions to no avail.

Karlsnooks: I have not installed any new programs for several months.

Boot into safemode.

Run SFC /SCANNOW from an elevated command prompt.
Keep running it until you get a clean bill of health ( the screen will say something to that effect).

 

[karlsnooks]

Could you fill out your System Specs. This info helps us to help you.

________________________________________
________________________________________

HOW TO FILL OUT YOUR SYSTEM SPECS

In the line at the top of www.SevenForums.com you will see UserCP.
That is an abbreviation for User Control Panel.
Click on UserCP.
In the left-hand column, under Your Profile you will see Edit System Spec.
Click on Edit System Spec
You can copy and paste from the output of Speccy, Speccy - System Information - Free Download to fill out much of the info. Be sure to use the Other Info section of your System Specs for such info as your optical drive, your wireless adapter, your speakers, etc.

________________________________________
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Make yourself a System Repair Disc. You are going to need it. If not now, then later.

________________________________________
________________________________________
DISC - CREATE A SYSTEM REPAIR DISC
START | type System Repair | Enter key | Create Disc button
________________________________________
________________________________________

 

[Prskater]

Karlsnooks: Today, just like yesterday, the system would not turn on normally. I had to manually shut it down and turn it on again, on the second start it gave me the option to Safe Boot and when it did try to boot, it rejected the restore point which has been dragging since the beginning of this issue ( I have used three different restore points). It did then start normally.

I filled out the UserCP specs.

I have run the sfc /scannow 8 times and the message says it found corrupt files but was unable to fix them... details in c:\windows\logs\CBS\CBS.log . This file is the one I can't open.

Created system repair disc.

Still slightly under the water...

Thank you all for your efforts.