File explorer freezes when saving a document

terrykiwi

New Member
Messages
15
This problem started "out of the blue" a couple of months ago. I had a tech look at it, and the only solution he came up with was to create a new user account, which worked. The problem has just come back. I can't find anything online to resolve it, so hopefully somebody here can help.

When trying to save a document (could be from OpenOffice or LibreOffice or even a PDF), the Save As dialog opens and then immediately freezes. There is no way to escape--I have to "X" out of it and the document app crashes.

No new software has been installed since creating the new user account. We use Norton 360 and also Malware Bytes for protection.

This is a business computer, so obviously we need to get this resolved ASAP. Please help! :cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
I thought LibreOffice was a Ubuntu-only program?

There is a known issue with this happening in LibreOffice on Ubuntu- Try upgrading to the latest version.

Also, get the absolute latest version of Acrobat or Acrobat Reader you can find

I found this, which is related:

Save/Print as PDF crashes Word - Microsoft Community

Make the error show up again, force the program out, and show us the Event Logs from exactly when it happened, maybe there is something in there that can tell us why it is happening.

I know OpenOffice has a Windows version, is that the same as LibreOffice? You might be better off just buying a stand alone version of Microsoft Word, if you can- That way you can save to PDF's and there won't be any problems. Both Office 2010 and 2013 have good Save to PDF functions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Thanks for your quick response AweUponX. To clarify a few things for you and others:
  • LibreOffice runs on Windows
  • I am not trying to save as a PDF from LibreOffice - I am just trying to save the document to disk.
  • It happens with BOTH LibreOffice and OpenOffice, AND ALSO when saving an existing Adobe PDF file "As..."
  • The issue is with Windows File Explorer, not these applications
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Actually I think it is an issue with LibreOffice. I doubt it is actually File Explorer per se, but the combination of Programs you have.

I just spent half an hour reading posts where "Save As" or "Save as PDF" caused it to crash, the most common solution is to export rather than "Save As".

But if as you say, LibreOffice and OpenOffice - They BOTH crash? One is affecting the other, and my guess it is Libreoffice. I'd take it out and just keep using OpenOffice: There are DEFINITE Conflicts between the programs:

OpenOffice.org Vs LibreOffice: questions (View topic) ? Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

So I would take them both out, and re-install them one at a time to see which one is causing it. I wouldn't have them both in at once, put one in, then put the other in, and see which one causes the problem. For now, just try Exporting rather than Saving.

I'll install these programs myself and check this out firsthand, but my first impression is that they are affecting each other and your copy of Windows.

The only other thing you can try is running "SFC /SCANNOW" from an Admin Command Prompt- Run it 3 times in a row to make sure it gets whatever it finds cleared up.

Do that while I install LibreOffice and Open Office.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I'm going to make another guess here, that Norton 360 has a firewall service in addition to the Windows Firewall? Try disabling it temporarily, and while it is off, try saving something.

Ok yes, I think I am onto something, Norton 360 actually deletes important files from LibreOffice.

https://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Internet-Security-Norton/LibreOffice-4-1-0/td-p/995801

So - SHUT OFF Norton, and try re-installing LibreOffice.

Here is another:

https://community.norton.com/t5/Nor...sitive-for-Libre-Office-Help-Pack/td-p/794524

You don't have to uninstall Norton, just disable it while installing, and RESTORE any Files related to LibreOffice from its Quarantine and mark them as Excluded in future scans.

(Edit - Ok I have them both, latest versions for each, they are going in now...)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I'll try the re-installs, but you should know that when this problem first occurred, we only had OpenOffice installed. I thought that it was the problem, so I uninstalled it and installed LibreOffice. That is ho I know that they have BOTH experienced the issue.

Acrobat Reader, opening a PDF and then doing a Save As, is also causing File Explorer to hang. That's why I believe it is File Explorer that is the common element, and therefore, the culprit.

Anyway, I'll try your suggestions as soon as I can get to them, and report back.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
I see an issue immediately that may have a bearing - OpenOffice requires Visual C++ 2008.

If this gets corrupted it could cause problems, maybe even this crash.

Here is the name of the package, but the one I found is a 32 bit package. There may be a 64 bit for 64 bit machines.

Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
A couple of other things:


  • I have been running LibreOffice and Norton together ever since the first issue without any problems until yesterday.
  • Windows firewall is OFF and only Norton's is ON.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Start with the SFC /Scannow, if this doesn't help, we'll move on to the DISM command. Remember to sun SFC /Scannow three times in a row at least.

Obviously something has gotten corrupted, now whether it is Windows, or either one of these programs, or the Visual C++ they both need, or something else. And also the False Positive report from Norton, that may also have a bearing on it.

These programs are almost identical, so whatever is causing the crash in one, WILL cause the crash in the other.

While we are at it, we'll check your Java package, use IE while it is not in Enhanced Protection mode, go to the Java page and check your Java installation, they may be something there as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
While we are at it, we'll check your Java package, use IE while it is not in Enhanced Protection mode, go to the Java page and check your Java installation, they may be something there as well.

I don't use IE, and I don't know how do what you're asking.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
I am running Win8 64-bit. Is the link you sent the correct one for this version?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
Ok, then do it in Chrome - Just go to the main Java website and make sure you have the most recent package.

Verify Java Version

Just check to see if you have it, if you do, then make sure it is the latest version. There is a tool for removing old versions as well.

I don't know if Soffice uses it, it might.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I am running Win8 64-bit. Is the link you sent the correct one for this version?

Thats the 64 bit version. Open Office would have installed it right before installing the Program.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
try is running "SFC /SCANNOW" from an Admin Command Prompt

How do I get to the command prompt in Win8?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
OK, here's a new twist...
I just tried to download a fresh copy of Acrobat Reader (since that is also crashing when attempting to 'Save As' an open file, and guess what? As soon as the dialog opened to save the downloaded file, it froze exactly the same way. Took down Chrome as well. I'm convinced the issue is the Windows File Explorer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
OK, here's a new twist...
I just tried to download a fresh copy of Acrobat Reader (since that is also crashing when attempting to 'Save As' an open file, and guess what? As soon as the dialog opened to save the downloaded file, it froze exactly the same way. Took down Chrome as well. I'm convinced the issue is the Windows File Explorer.

So I just tried to get to the Java update, but Windows 8 won't let you do crap. Tried to install the plugin -- CRASH. So now I can't even download a file. I'm screwed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
OK, seems like you are right, this is a this is a system wide issue, lets get you started on SFC

Move the Cursor down to the very Lower Left and right click it, you'll see a window and in it "Admin Command Prompt. You can also get to that by hitting "Windows Key + X"

Actually is says "Command Prompt (Admin) - Click n that, and type "SFC /scannow" in there.

Run it 3 times in a row.

We may need your Windows 8 install DVD, you'll have to get that from your Admin/Tech. If SFC does not fix it, then we'll have to do an In-Place Install. Well save this for last, we'll try DISM if SFC does not work. Then if that doesn't well have to do the In Place Install. Just get all these things ready cos we'll do them one by one.

There is also a good probability you have a virus called Sirefef, I'll show you how to check for that after we do SFC. Norton cannot get rid of it.

We have to get that SFC running before we try any of this though, go ahead and start that now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
OK, I am running scannow. Just so you know, I purchased this PC from Best Buy and there is no Windows install CD.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS all-in-one (NOT touch screen)
    Antivirus
    Norton 360
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