Regarding Windows XP SP2.

A few hours ago, I urged a friend to update his internet browser.
He installed IE7, and all seemed well until he was prompted to complete the
installation by restarting his PC now or later.

He choose "Restart now", the PC rebooted and everything seemed normal up to
the point that the Desktop Background picture appeared but without the
toolbar or any icons.

Instead a message box appeared stating:
"Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close".

Along with the send error report function.

Right click with the mouse doesn't work either.

Faced with a blank screen, the only thing I knew to try was
"Ctrl"+"Alt"+"Del" to call up the Task Manager - which I used to reboot the
PC.

I have tried launching in Safe Mode but the result is the same.

I have also tried Rebooting to the "Last Known Good Configuration" - but
this didn't make any difference.

I am able to access Command Prompt by choosing that Safe Mode option, but I
don't know what to do once there.

Regretfully he had a few important documents that he hadn't yet backed up -
my first priority is to retreive them.

I appreciate any help, advice or ideas anybody has.

- Please.

How to start the system restore tool at a command prompt
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449

Since the data which is not backed up is important, it may be worth your
time to slave the drive to your computer 's hard drive and copy the files to
it before attempting the system restore.
--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2008


"malynx" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:FCD98C5B-C7E7-49A6-A63E-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Regarding Windows XP SP2.
>
> A few hours ago, I urged a friend to update his internet browser.
> He installed IE7, and all seemed well until he was prompted to complete
> the
> installation by restarting his PC now or later.
>
> He choose "Restart now", the PC rebooted and everything seemed normal up
> to
> the point that the Desktop Background picture appeared but without the
> toolbar or any icons.
>
> Instead a message box appeared stating:
> "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close".
>
> Along with the send error report function.
>
> Right click with the mouse doesn't work either.
>
> Faced with a blank screen, the only thing I knew to try was
> "Ctrl"+"Alt"+"Del" to call up the Task Manager - which I used to reboot
> the
> PC.
>
> I have tried launching in Safe Mode but the result is the same.
>
> I have also tried Rebooting to the "Last Known Good Configuration" - but
> this didn't make any difference.
>
> I am able to access Command Prompt by choosing that Safe Mode option, but
> I
> don't know what to do once there.
>
> Regretfully he had a few important documents that he hadn't yet backed
> up -
> my first priority is to retreive them.
>
> I appreciate any help, advice or ideas anybody has.
>
> - Please.
>

Thanks Ron - I will be trying a System Restore from the Command Line in the
morning.

Also I'll be trying sfc /scannow.

Re: slaving my PC's Hard Drive to his:
do you know a useful "How to..." link for this, please?



"Ron Badour" wrote:

> How to start the system restore tool at a command prompt
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449
>
> Since the data which is not backed up is important, it may be worth your
> time to slave the drive to your computer 's hard drive and copy the files to
> it before attempting the system restore.
> --
> Regards
>
> Ron Badour
> MS MVP 1997 - 2008

Remove the side panels from both cases. If his hard drive uses a ribbon
cable and your CDRom drive uses one, normally the cable will be long enough
that you can remove the devices from your cable and with his machine sitting
right next to yours, you can attach your cable to his hard drive. His hard
drive will be jumpered as master so with it being the only device on your
cable, a jumper pin change will not be required. Power up both machines and
you should be able to access his drive using Windows Explorer on your
machine. If the cable is not long enough, you can remove his hard drive
from the case and sitting it on its end outside your case, attach the ribbon
cable and a power cable from your machine.

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2008


"malynx" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:02AA9A0B-03C3-4959-BD75-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks Ron - I will be trying a System Restore from the Command Line in
> the
> morning.
>
> Also I'll be trying sfc /scannow.
>
> Re: slaving my PC's Hard Drive to his:
> do you know a useful "How to..." link for this, please?
>
>
>
> "Ron Badour" wrote:
>
>> How to start the system restore tool at a command prompt
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449
>>
>> Since the data which is not backed up is important, it may be worth your
>> time to slave the drive to your computer 's hard drive and copy the files
>> to
>> it before attempting the system restore.
>> --
>> Regards
>>
>> Ron Badour
>> MS MVP 1997 - 2008

Thanks very much Ron:

the System Recovery worked and I was able to back up the files.

I ran Scannow, but I don't know if it did anything - one minute it was
scanning, then it had finished(?) without a notification or report or
anything!

His PC still has problems but his files are safely backed up now.

Thanks again