Click a folder - desktop disappears

[Null_1138]

I was trying to click on my Conversion Pack folder, but as soon as I did, the file explorer window stopped responding, as did all other windows. I had to Ctrl Alt Del to end all these programs. Once I did that, though, the entirety on my desktop disappeared except for my background and cursor. Sometimes the taskbar, icons, and everything come back. If they don't, I have to Ctrl Alt Del again and restart my computer from there.

A screenshot I was just able to take depicting what's in that folder:

Hidden/Spoiler:

Advice?

[Dohnutt]

explorer.exe is what runs your taskbar (and I believe your icons and other desktop stuff too) so if you end that process, it'll get rid of all that stuff.
You can get it back by pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL and then clicking "New task" and then typing in "explorer.exe".

Not sure why it's freezing up, but I figured I'd help you out with that so you don't have to restart every time.

[Null_1138]

That's helpful to know, thanks Dohnutt.

[Maveritchell]

How often do you shut down your computer? How old is it? When was the last time you defragmented your hard drive?

[Null_1138]

How often do you shut down your computer?

Uh, everyday. Mostly around 9:00 at night.

How old is it?

Got it Christmas of '08.

When was the last time you defragmented your hard drive?

Yikes, don't remember. Definitely not in the last 3 months.

[Maveritchell]

How often do you shut down your computer?

Uh, everyday. Mostly around 9:00 at night.

How old is it?

Got it Christmas of '08.

When was the last time you defragmented your hard drive?

Yikes, don't remember. Definitely not in the last 3 months.

Go ahead and pretend as though my questions didn't exist, then - I was headed down the wrong track.

[RogueKnight]

Is your OS 7 or Vista?

Do you have Aero Glass running?

What kind of processor do you have and how much RAM do you have?

[Dohnutt]

Is your OS 7

Oh haha, I interpreted that as "OS7"... as in, Mac. I was like "but... Windows Explorer"

Okay back on topic, ha

[Null_1138]

Is your OS 7 or Vista?

XP

Do you have Aero Glass running?

Never heard of Aero Glass.

What kind of processor do you have and how much RAM do you have?

Intel Core 2 Quad, 3.25 GB of RAM. The computer is a Dell Inspiron 530.

I just want to make we're on the same page, this is just one folder, not all of them. I could just go back and download the Convo Pack assets again. Its not preferable because it would take a while, and I would like to know how to fix this in case it happens again.