Update: This issue is now solved -- reinstalling Windows did the trick.
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I'm having a major problem with the new build I just put together. I'm hoping someone has seen a similar issue and can suggest how to correct it.
Physically, the system seems to be fine, It posts and boots, and runs well... for ~ 5 minutes.
Then, Windows Explorer goes into Never-Never Land.
When this happens I can't get to the file system, the Start menu, Task Manager, etc. and eventually other applications that are already running become unresponsive as well. However, during this time the mouse pointer continues working, I can move windows around the screen, and if there are any animations running (like install / uninstall spinners) they continue running pretty much indefinitely - if there is a time counter it will continue counting too.
I cannot restart the system when it gets like this, so have to use the reset button or the power button.
This doesn't really sound like a hardware problem -- if it was a bad component or something not properly seated I would expect a hard hang or crash. Being able to move windows and the mouse pointer seems to indicate that the core hardware isn't failing.
Now, I didn't reinstall Windows, which may very well be the cause of the problem. It's possible that some of the applications, services, or drivers from the previous build don't like their new home. I was hoping to avoid having to reinstall and set up everything again since I am continuing to use the same storage devices.
Another thing that strongly suggests it is a software issue is if I do a Clean Boot the problem does not happen. It only happens when I do a normal boot. I'm currently trying to figure out which software is causing the problem, but no luck so far.
The new components are an 8700K, Asus ROG Strix z370 Gaming E, and 16 GB G-Skill Trident DDR4 3200. The rest of the components are the same as the Main in my signature.
Any suggestions welcome.