Cleanmgr Hangs on analyzing compressed files

From: Ken (Searay1_at_Hotmail.com)
Date: 06/24/03 

Date: Tue, 24 Jun 2003 05:50:38 -0700

I currently own a DELL Dimension 8200 (2.4 gHz) running
Windows XP Home Edition. I am not sure of the actual
build number, but I have been diligent about being current
with Windows Update.

Recently I went through my normal clean up procedure,
which is to delete the internet files, cookies, history,
run Norton full system scan, and then finally the
Microsoft disk clean up. Everything seemed to work
normally except disk clean up. It immediately started and
froze (3 blocks appear in the status bar) during
calculating space from the compressed files. I let it run
for almost 12 hours with no change and no disk activity
light. It never reached the point where you select what
you want to do (i.e. the check boxes). The system does
not hang in fact you can cancel the disk clean up, but
then the system runs extremely slow. If you check the
processes 'cleanmgr.exe' is running and takes about 98% of
the CPU (even with the disk clean up dialogue bixes
closed). At this point I need to reboot or end task
(which gives a nasty warning).

If I boot Windows in safe mode or use the basic startup
via msconfig it does the same thing.

One thing I did suspect was a problem with the disk, so I
proceeded to look for scandisk (I miss DOS6.2). Unable to
find that utility in XP, I decide to do a disk defrag.
The thought was that if there is a disk problem it would
surface during the intense disk I/O defrag process. It
went through the defrag fine. It completed in about an
hour. It is a Maxtor 80 gbyte drive with 10.4 gbytes
used. I then re-ran Norton (6/18 virus definitions) with
no problems and I even ran the latest Adaware utility
again no problems or suspicious events.

I called Dell and their response was to re-install XP on
top of the existing XP and if that does not fix it re-
install from scratch (format C). I did the re-install on
top of my existing XP. I was surprised that I had to re-
register, so I was concerned that I would loose my
existing data, but fortunately everything was ok when the
system did finally come up. One interesting hitch, the
installation program prompted me for the audio driver.
Dell needs to be a bit more specific on how to perform
this procedure or add audio drivers on the re-installation
CD. Fortunately I found the driver using browse on the C:
drive (painful).

The system rebooted and looked normal, but still disk
clean up would hang on the analyzing compressed files.

I am not willing to rebuild the disk from scratch, since
everything else seems to be working fine. If anyone has
any ideas I would certainly appreciate any suggestions.
Also, if anyone knows the best way to get a resolution
that would great. I call Dell and they say rebuild from
scratch, then I go to Microsoft and they say OEM OS call
Dell. Is my only option the paid call to Microsoft and
would they help with a Dell installed Windows XP? I tried
the knowledge database and could not find any articles
related to my disk cleanup failure.

Thank you

Ken