OK maybe it´s the Conexant Modem and/or audio driver provided via Windows Update from the Microsoft Homepage:


I just completely formated and reinstalled Windows XP SP2; I also installed all optional Windows components unter "Software" like monitoring programs and so on.

After that I just installed Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG with driver 9.0.1.9
dated 10/29/2004 using Intel PROSet Wireless Software from Intel Homepage.

And then I installed CISCO VPN Client 4.6.0.x

Everything went fine establishing an internet connection using WLAN and CISCO VPN.

After that I installed both Conexant Modem and Audio driver provided on Windows Update from the Microsoft Homepage and after that installation of those two drivers my taskbar freezes after establising an internet connection using WLAN und CISCO VPN. I get an established message and that´s it...

EDIT: It doesn´t seem to freeze every time. I restarted the Laptop again and was trying to establish a connection and everything went fine. After disconnecting, switching off WLAN, switching on WLAN and reestablishing a WLAN VPN connection the taskbar freezed.

UPDATE: Maybe it is this Conexiant Audio driver


AT ALL OTHER USERS: Could you please describe which hardware you are using? Are you all using a notebook? Which hardware? Something from Conexiant?

Hm, very strange. Right now I did nearly the same as before:

Windows XP SP 2 (but without the additional windows software compotents)
CISCO VPN Client
Intel WLAN Software
Conexant Aduio Driver

everything seemes to work


After installing the additional windows software components the problem occurs again.


OK, I deinstalled the additional windows software components. After that with the first try everything worked. I tried it a second time and - taskbar freezed again.

OK, I think I know what it is - the additional windows components like "network services", "additional monitoring programs" "additional file and print services".

I reinstalled Win XP SP2 again but didn´t intsall these components - and it works. At least till now.

I reinstalled Win XP SP2 on my second HP notebook - again without the addiotional windows software components mentioned above - and it works - also with dial-up networking

It doesn´t help by the way, if you just uninstall these additional components - you have to completely format and reinstall Windows XP SP2.

I had the same problem with the taskbar freezing on me for several minutes when I would first connect to the internet (dial-up).

I am running WinXP SP2 Home Ed.

These are the steps I have taken to resolve this issue:

1) Stopped and disabled the following services:
a) SSDP Discovery Service: This service is responsible for querying a network for possible Plug and Play devices. It uses port 1900. A little history: when I connected to the internet, I configuared the Windows Firewall not to allow exceptions. This included the UDP port 1900 that is part of the UPnP Framework (UPnP = Universal Plug and Play). After doing that, the taskbar would freeze after I connected to the internet. After a little research, I discovered the purpose of UPnP and the SSDP Discovery Service and it's need to connect though port 1900. When I configuared Windows Firewall to allow this port, the taskbar no longer froze. However, since I did not need this service on my network, I chose to disable it.
b) Univeral Plug and Play Host Service: This service is responsible for hosting UPnP devices to a network for sharing with other computers that comply with the UPnP Framework protocol. Since I did not need this service, I disabled it.
2) NOTE: Please be careful when changing the registry as your computer may become unbootable/unusable if incorrect postings are made, changed or deleted. I posted a registry change to disable UPnP discoveries: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectPlayNATHelp\DPNHUPnP]
"UPnPMode"=dword:00000002

After appling these changes, I have not had a problem with the taskbar freezing since -- not even once.

Hope this helps those having this problem.

Michael

PS. If you are wondering if disabling the services outlined in the steps above will disable the Plug and Play features in WinXP for any device you connect to your computer...it will NOT. The "Plug and Play" Service is responsible for that and is seperate from the Universal Plug and Play Host and the SSDP Discovery Services.

Just in case the questioned arose.

Alright, so my problem is similiar, not sure if its the same as above or not.
My taskbar freezes when starting up windows (connected to internet or not). When I hover over it, my cursor just turns into an hourglass as if it was loading. It also wont open Internet Explorer or Taskmanager. It just became this way like overnight some how, I have not installed anything. The taskbar will eventually load after I leave it alone for about 15 minutes... same as if I don't log on. If I leave it at the Logon window for about 15 min and then log on then it runs fine without problem also.

Still, very annoying problem. Just today I tried to install SP2 with windows update, but everytime I click on a windows update link a blank explorer pops up as if it was loading and just freezes that IE window. (not sure if that is related to the same problem or not)

I have run a PandaScan, used like Spybot and Adaware, and this thing called security task manager to check to see if there was any threatening processes. Nothing that has fixed the problem.

I would reformat/reinstall but I don't have a Windows XP CD. And i'm not sure how that would work with having to re-activate my version of windows.

Anyways, if anyone has any idea what this could be, please let me know! Thanks.

I have resolved the issue by stopping and disabling IPv6 Helper Service. (I have no idea why it was installed in the first place.) Go to Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services, open IPv6 Helper Service, stop it and change its Startup type to Disabled.

I just followed the instructions from auditordude27 and voilla my machine runs smoothly agian. not sure if it was a windows update or the domain change we had internally. but all of a sudden my taskbar froze, explorer would freeze and and I could only switch between apps using the alt-tab shortcut.
switsching off the upnp service, and adding the reg key while I was at it, as well as switching off the firewall service which was running although I had the xp firewall disabled seems to have solved the issue.

I suggest to anyone having such a problem to start off with disabling all services you really don't need.
I learned this lesson only after formatting and resinstalling my machine.

I'm SOOOO Glad i found this thread!!

I'm running a Compaq presario V1000 notebook (much similar to the hp nx series)

The notebook was running perfectly well.

As it came with 256mb ram, After 6 months of use i decided to add another 512mb ram. .Total ram 768 mb ram.

Thats when my taskbar started freezing. Occassionally it would freeze. It woould be reproduced when i closed my notebook's screen. (my notebook is configured to "do nothing" when i close the computer lid)

The taskbar would also occassionally freeze up as it liked.

I tried the solution posted by auditordude but it didn't work..

Anyone got any more ideas to help me out with this problem?

Try this - http://www.xp-antispy.org/ -
It helpped me :bounce:

no more ideas?
why does my taskbar freeze?!! while the programs and icons on the desktop still work?

1. My taskbar freezes for 5-15 minutes, when computer connects to Internet.
I'm trying to ctr+alt+del. Doesn't work.
Then suddenly all the actions start to pop-up.
I've changed register of Outlook for:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Exchange\Exchange Provider]
"Rpc_Binding_Order"=
from "ncalrpc,ncacn_ip_tcp,ncacn_spx,ncacn_np,netbios,ncacn_vns_spp"
to "ncacn_ip_tcp,ncacn_spx,ncacn_np,netbios,ncacn_vns_spp,ncalrpc"
As it was mentioned in some postings.
It’s have changed for a while. But then I realized my language bar from Taskbar disappeared. I restored it and the problem returned again.

2. My internal firewall is showing-on on security center even in firewall configuration window it's off.

This is my system info:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2017 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Award Software, Inc. ASUS P4SGX-MX ACPI BIOS Revision 1005, 11/06/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
Total Physical Memory 640.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 338.30 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.16 GB

This taks are running:
acrotray.exe
alg.exe
ccapp.exe
ccevtmgr.exe
ccsetmgr.exe
cdac11ba.exe
cidaemon.exe
cidaemon.exe
cisvc.exe
csrss.exe
ctfmon.exe
excel.exe
explorer.exe
helpctr.exe
helpsvc.exe
iexplore.exe
iexplore.exe
lsass.exe
navapsvc.exe
nmbgmonitor.exe
npfmntor.exe
pdvdserv.exe
services.exe
smagent.exe
smc.exe
smss.exe
sndsrvc.exe
spbbcsvc.exe
spoolsv.exe
starwindservice.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
svchost.exe
symlcsvc.exe
system
system idle process
tcpsvcs.exe
wdfmgr.exe
winlogon.exe
wmiprvse.exe


I have:
Norton Antivirus 2005
Sygate FireWall pro
SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
Router-Linksys 2.4Ghz 802.11b


Any ideas???
Thank you!

Ryder

I never had a taskbar freeze problem after I got my Compaq Presario V1000 notebook. Centrino 1.5Ghz wireless-b

I upgraded my ram from 256 to 768mb. before any freezing happened.


I took my notebook to my friends plac, used his wifi and then my taskbar started freezing. I used my Notebook in my dad's house, plugged into his network thru his HUB (not a router or switch) then it started freezing. I used my new D-link Router via LAN it froze occassionally and wifi froze all the time.
(hubs are slow)

I had initially thought that my new ram was the culprit but after i did the following the problem went away permanantly.

I reconfigured my network, threw away the Dlink router, used another modem router and the problem was solved.

I have tried many of the methods in this forum but to no avail.

I have settled into one conclusion.. The reason why the taskbar freezes is because the network is slow and/or lagging.

Improve your network and all the taskbar freezing will go away

At least this solution worked for me..

I have a notebook ASUS Z9000R with wireless, connected to the same router and never had this problem.

Ryder

1 ok.. i didn't mention that my slow network had a strange configuration. It was a dlink 714p+ wireless router connected with a fixed IP to an Aztech modem router on DHCP. (Connected router to router). This may have slowed down the network somewhat. Don't know why.It was so slow i would also get a timeout while uploading. Needless to say that when i realized that this configuration was the problem i promptly changed it. Now i'm connected directly via LAN to the modem router. No problem with the taskbar freezing, no problem on uploading or downloading. The wireless router is still networked and i only use it when I move my noteboook around the house, for minimal data transfer.

What i'm trying to say is that my taskbar froze because of the slow internet connection.

Those who still have the taskbar freeze problem, just plug you computer into a proven higher speed internet connection (or any connection which doesn't have this problem).. Try and see if the problem is stilll there..


2. I notice that mostly the compaq and HP notebooks are affected by this problem. Mebbe because its a first generation centrino. I've got loads of ram so that can't be the problem..

wait ..

what do you mean you never had this problem.. isn't your taskbar freezing now?

Unlike you guys' taskbar freezing for about five minutes, mine is COMPLETELY frozen. When I start up the computer, I am able to log in. Afterwards, I would move the cursor to the taskbar and it would have that waiting symbol. Apparently, it doesn't go away. So the only way to run programs for me, is to use task manager. But even task manager won't work UNLESS I disable explorer.exe on the processes. In doing so, I am able to launch Mozilla. Everything is fine this way except there is no taskbar and no icons. Also, solutions I've tried are disabling some startup programs that was not common at startup, did a system restore and it worked. I mean literally. It was fine when it restored, but when I restart, it goes back to its normal stage: FREEZING. I tried system restore twice and the same problem occurred. I'm running out of ideas. Also, when I try to open Control.exe on Windows Task manager, it just freezes after a few seconds. Safe mode is no good idea, it is the same as running it regularly. I desperately need help, and this computer is not even a year old! If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it!

Disconnect your Lan cables, switch off your wireless and boot the computer, does it freeze?

If the computer works well without connecting to the net, then its the slow network fault.
Contact your systems admin to speed up the net, or do some modifications to your network.

If you have disconnected to the net and the problem still arises then its probably a windows problem, ask Microsoft for support

I am having exactly the same problem, only sometimes, other things start freezing too. My problem was the ctfmon.exe. I suggest you open task manager before connecting to the internet and end the process ctfmon.exe and see if it works then. If it doesn't, then I have no idea what's wrong.

Hi everyone (new member)

I had this problem but it totally froze my computer

when i started up it just completely froze and i couldnt do anything even after waiting for an hour so i rebooted in safe mode and had a look at some of the applications running in the taskbar (the bottom right)

This may only help those of you who have desktop x installed

the problem was the desktop x program was trying to load up and it crashed everything so I uninstalled it in safe mode.

If you dont have desktop x installed try removing any other applications that run in the taskbar as they will probably sort out the problem

Of course if the problem still occurs after trying everything then just wipe ur computer it allways works!

Hope this helps