I'm presuming you're using XP and not 2k here, if not you can laugh at the following...
Hmmm. As usual, one of the most evil parts (and unfotunately critical) of Windows rears its head 'explorer.exe' . For some reason it loves to crash when parsing certain avi files to produce those thumbnails on the left side in the 'common tasks' area. It restarts without problems (thankfully), but you loose your windows and some task bar icons...
IF this indeed the same problem then I think the quick solution if you don't like the command line (which can be very dangerous if you're not used to it and slip up!) is to go to 'Tools' -> 'Folder options' (in an explorer window - assuming you can get one to appear) - then changing the 'tasks' option to 'Use Classic Windows Folders' - simpler, but simpler = less likely to fail
Since, this kills the 'extra' bar on the left, you shouldn't crash it (although if you are set to view thumbnails it may still - just use the list view instead)
Bah!!.... Or just stick to
SirJeannots method.... the command line interface can't be bested in times of crisis.
