Toshiba Laptop taskbar keeps freezing

Question

Hi,
If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated :)
basically my taskbar keeps freezing randomly and constantly, i have absolutly no idea why, im usually on the internet and it freezes when im on there,
but also does with anything im using on the laptop so cant really pinpoint what causes it. its really frustrating me as the sound stops working, and the little icons disappear after it freezes
when it freezes it loads an error message saying 'Windows explorer is not responding' and says the usual, check for a solution, close program etc etc
when i click problem details it comes up with this:
Description:
A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows.
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: AppHangXProcB1
Application Name: explorer.exe
Application Version: 6.0.6001.18164
Application Timestamp: 4907e242
Hang Signature: 7ce1
Hang Type: 128
Waiting on Application Name: svchost.exe:AudioClientRpc
Waiting on Application Version: 0.0.0.0
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 5129
Additional Hang Signature 1: 9224369711237709974176f646a5196a
Additional Hang Signature 2: 67a3
Additional Hang Signature 3: e904f1b372daeebc03218e7628a74682
Additional Hang Signature 4: 7ce1
Additional Hang Signature 5: 9224369711237709974176f646a5196a
Additional Hang Signature 6: 67a3
Additional Hang Signature 7: e904f1b372daeebc03218e7628a74682
i have know idea what that means, please help :)
cheers,
amanda

Answer 1

It is not easy to say why this happen but I think it is definitely software related issue.
I don't know how many experience do you have with operating systems and are you ready to search for problem or you want to fix this quickly.
If you want fast fix use Toshiba recovery disc and install OS again. With clean preinstalled operating system everything should be OK again.
Otherway follow instructions I found on the internet:
I have few steps here that might fix the issue.
First, I suggest that you boot the computer in safe mode and check; safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs do not run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed, follow the steps to boot the computer in safe mode with networking:
A.) To restart the computer in Safe Mode, restart the computer and tap the F8 key for about four to five times. You will see Safe Mode listed in the Windows Advanced options. Select Safe Mode and then press enter.
Now check if you are able to work with your programs, if you are able to boot the computer in safe mode then the problem might be with any of the start-up items conflicting on your computer.
B.) You may have to perform clean boot on the computer, to help troubleshoot error messages and other issues, you can start Windows Vista by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This kind of startup is known as a "clean boot." A clean boot helps eliminate software conflicts.
The following link has steps showing how to perform clean boot: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
1) Perform clean boot (Check the link for Performing clean boot)
2) Enable half of the services
3) Determine whether the problem returns
4) Enable half of the startup items
5) Determine whether the problem returns
6) Repeat the above steps until you find out which service or program is causing the issue
After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration Utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.
Note: Please ensure that the computer is set to start as usual by following the step 7 from the article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
If the issue still persists, I suggest that you perform a System File Checker [SFC] scan on the computer, this replaces corrupted system files with the Version of Windows system files on the computer, follow the steps to perform a scan:
I would suggest you to empty the temp folder and later follow the steps below:
i. Click Start>>type %temp% in the search box>>press enter>>delete everything present in the temp folder.
1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Start Search box.
2. Right-click cmd in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue
3. At the command prompt, the following line, and then press ENTER: sfc /scannow
When the scan is complete, test to see whether the issue that you are experiencing is resolved.
Additional information: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212