This happened to me also...

Different things at different times. Programs, Documents, Resources (like vector files, images that I use for work). No matter what I search for, Occasionally explorer restarts.

{"me5624", in part stated: "if I search using the search box within the Start 8 menu, explorer resets."}

Unfortunately I too have been running into the same problem. And it doesn't matter what I search for (could be Chrome, Firefox, or whatever), I usually only get a couple of the letters of the name typed when the Start8 program no longer responds, and this is followed by Explorer.exe restarting. After which I "may" or "may not" be able to type in the search field of Start8: if I may all works as it is supposed to; however more frequently than not I still may not type in it, as it does the same as explained above.

So I uninstalled Start8 v.1.03a (and that was the only listing of it in the Control Panel, as prior to installing that version I had already uninstalled all other listings of various versions of Start8). I then manually removed all other findings of Start8 from my hard drive. Next I ran Auslogics BoostSpeed Registry Cleaner (v.5.4.0.10) and cleaned the registry. I then rebooted the computer, and re-installed Start8 v.1.03a, and all worked fine for a few hours - however it is once again doing the same as before.

A little background. . .

Since installing Windows 8 (and that was just after it became available in stores) the two programs which I have experienced most crashes in are Explorer.exe and Internet Explorer.exe (both in the preferred, by me, Desktop UI). So perhaps the issue I am now having with Start8 crashes may be more to do with Explorer.exe than not. . . ?

You know, before Windows 8 landed on my computer I was a reasonably happy user of Windows 7 (I am hoping to become that way again ); during the installation of Windows 8 on my computer, when I arrived at the "Choose what to keep" screen, I chose the option of "Nothing." However on hindsight, I now wish I had of choose the old way of installation, that is, place Win8 disc in drive and reboot computer, installing via that method (prior to booting into Windows), as well as making sure the hard drive is fully formatted before proceeding with the installation. Maybe will have to bite the bullet and re-do it that way yet.

Anyway, back to the Start8 lock-ups, freezes, crashes, or whatever the proper term might be, any ideas or suggestions?

regards,

Laurence

Has anyone had their computer shut down and restart since using Start8 v1.03a?

I restored back to Start8 v1.03 and haven't had a problem since.

I am not totally sure if it was Start8 v1.03a causing it, but my investigation seems to be pointing me to that.

@Laurence3: That's my problem exactly, though I have no crashes or resets of explorer.exe or iexplore.exe. It just seems to be Start8 that resets explorer when I start to type. After explorer resets, the search box works for a while, then will reset. I'm a power user so I do search my files a lot and with 32TB of NAS storage that I use for my job, I really need to be able to search quickly.

I have done 3 installs of Windows 8 Pro since it's release. The 1st was an upgrade and I kept all my applications and files, 2nd kept nothing and the 3rd was a clean format and a fresh install of Windows 8 Pro with Media Centre. All installs had the same result with Start8. 

@Stardock: Any ideas what's causing the problem?

Thanks.

Mike. 

I recorded the process for you as I think it will help explain things and show you the reset as it happens. The video is unlisted, so no-one can see it other than this post.

Mike.

 

We have a beta update coming which may help.

If not the next step will be to install some debugging tools and capturing a mini dump from the crash so we can debug it further locally.  Unfortunately the address in the event log is no use as it is the exception handler rather than the actual place it is crashing.

Is the beta available to everyone or is it a closed one only available on request? If it's the latter then I'd very much like to test it as well please if it also contains the fix for the slow-to-display menu issue (caused by Defender).

@ all,

I realize that not much time has passed since the release of Start8 1.09 beta (and I had installed it pretty much right away), however I think it is still noteworthy to mention that since installing it I have been able to type in Start8's search field and complete the search without experiencing any problems; whereas prior to the 1.09 beta Start8 would stop responding and explorer.exe would restart. I am curious to hear if any others have had similar good results using this beta, or if the problem initially reported still remains?

(I was a little hesitant to speak of this, in case I jinxed myself. )

regards,

Laurence

[quote who="Neil Banfield" reply="17" id="3287259"]The beta link is in this thread : https://forums.stardock.com/437628

If you continue to experience search crashes it would be very helpful if you could send us a dmp file from the crash.

You will need to install the Debugging Tools for Windows (32 or 64 bit depending on your OS), then from an elevated command prompt run windbg -I from the Debugging tools for windows folder (off program files).

Then create a folder off drive C called a  This is just to save effort later.

Then next time it crashes it should break into that.  Dismiss the save workspace dialog and in the entry box at the bottom type .dump c:\a\crash.dmp

Notice the . at the front there.

Then zip that up, put it somewhere online (say dropbox) and post the link here or use the private message system here to send me the link.

With that information we should be able to track it further.

The debugging tools can be obtained from here : http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463009.aspx[/quote]

Hi Neil,

Looks like the restarting taskbar or explorer.exe has returned on this machine of mine. But I do not know whether Start8 has any claim for responsibility of it. I am presently running Start8 v.1.09 beta.

OK, my question: when installing the Windows Software Development Kit, do I download and install all its features which are, Windows Software Development Kit, Windows Performance Toolkit, Debugging Tools for Windows, Application Verifier for Windows, .NET Framework 4.5 Software Development Kit, Windows App Certification Kit? Or do I unselect all except for the Debugging Tools for Windows (which reduces the download size to 'only' 256.2 MB)?

Thanks much.

regards,

Laurence

PS: Now when attempting to type any text into the Start8 "Search programs and files" the Taskbar or Explorer.exe does not always restart - but, the Start Menu remains open and I cannot use it for anything: it has stopped responding, with the curser changing into the spinning circle when placed anywhere over the Start Menu. When checking under Tasks tab (in System Explorer v. 4.0.0.5025  it shows the Start Menu as not responding, and when I rmb click on it and select Go to Process it highlights dwm.exe (Desktop Window Manager v.6.2.9200.16420 of the Microsoft Windows Operating System). I had downloaded Sysinternals ProcDump utility, and when the Start Menu had stopped responding I had run ProcDump dwm.exe which created a file named dwm_121204_142105.dmp; I will zip it up and send it to you in case it is of any use.

If you do find any more cases of explorer hanging, open taskmanager, details page and right click on explorer and I think there is a Create Dump File menu option.  That would make a dmp file from explorer which might be useful.