Windows 8 Start Screen and Apps Not Responding

Anonymous
2012-11-17T18:46:01+00:00

I upgraded to Windows 8 Pro on its release date.  It had been working fine for me until yesterday (11/16/2012).  Suddenly, I can't get the Start screen to respond.  I'm unable to launch apps, access the Charms bar, etc.  By pressing WinKey + D multiple times, I am able to get the Desktop to load.  Once loaded, the Desktop seems OK though I can't access Charms from it either.  

I tried the Apps Troubleshooter from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=271185, but it didn't find any problems.  Also, my screen resolution is above 1024 x 768, my video driver is current (I checked for updates via Device Manager), I do NOT have UAC disabled, and I'm logged into my own account (which is linked to my Microsoft account).  Also, I do not have a 3rd party AV/security product installed, just Defender.

In Event Viewer, I do see repeated errors from Time Broker (listed as TimeBroker.exe or  svchost.exe_TimeBroker).  The error message reads, "The Time Broker service terminated unexpectedly."  That didn't seem to be a problem until yesterday, but I don't know what to do about it.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice.k

Matt

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Performance and system failures

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-19T20:53:42+00:00

    I too was experiencing this exact issue with TimeBroker service crashing and unresponsive start menu after a recent update while having some random clock app installed..

     

    I've managed to solve it by using regedit to set the timebroker service disabled. I then restarted, removed all apps (including Mail, Games, everything) using the PowerShell script. I set the service to enabled and restarted the computer. Then went to store and redownloaded the apps I needed.

     

    Before I did the above I did the old netsh winsock and ipv4/6 reset, and removed all my NICs in device manager, because SSDP service was crashing too. Didn't seem to have any effect. I also ran WSReset, but that kept hanging...

     

    Fingers crossed it sticks :)

    How did you disable the timebroker service?  I did everything else that you cited, e.g. ran the script and deleted ALL the aps except for the store and IE... and I still have the reinstalled apps hanging due to timebroker hangs.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-18T20:14:34+00:00

    Did you follow the instructions and remove the offending apps using the PowerShell script as described? It was the only thing that worked for me.

    Where are these instructions? Would you mind send a link or something? Thanks a lot.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-17T23:22:50+00:00

    Same here. Start screen is back working. But many modern apps no longer work (including weather and skype) with timebroker always crashing. It's very frustrating. 

    Mine's all fixed.

    Did you follow the instructions and remove the offending apps using the PowerShell script as described? It was the only thing that worked for me.

    Maybe you have another app causing the issue, not just the clock app?

    Just get rid of them all, they're absolute rubbish anyway on a full Windows PC. Clearly these so-called "modern" apps are no such thing, rather a thowback to some pretty poor DOS programming with little protection from the system.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-12-17T17:31:21+00:00

    Same here. Start screen is back working. But many modern apps no longer work (including weather and skype) with timebroker always crashing. It's very frustrating.

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  5. Anonymous
    2012-12-17T14:03:22+00:00

    Nope, mine's still broken also.

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