Run Time Error

When using search / find files I get the following message during the process.

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime Error

Program: C:\windows\explorer.exe

This application has requested the runtime to terminate in an unusual way.

When I click OK to this, half the icons in my system tray dissappear and the machine seems to continue but slows down.

Have Googled this although many articles and possible cures, I'm still stuck with it.

Have tried: chkdsk /f   sfc / scannow    removed google / yahoo toolbars

Nothing new installed recently on PC. At a lose end

Using Win XP with SP3

Any ideas?

Dave