M
Marc Woolfson
I have had major XP problems with explorer.exe for a few
days now.
When I have a few explorer-based windows open and try to
do basic tasks (such as rename files/folders, copy
files, or even just give focus to one), Windows closes
them all, flashes to an empty desktop and then
reloads any non-explorer windows that were open before the
crash. Most of the Taskbar icons also disappear,
although the programs are still running. The same effect
happens when I try to open video files in Windows Media
Player, which also closes along with the explorer windows.
When the problem occurred for the first time, I received
one of the standard 'explorer.exe has crashed' messages,
asking me to debug (I've got the .Net Framework v1.1) or
close. I no longer get these, but I do get Winlogon
entries in the Event Viewer stating "The shell stopped
unexpectedly and explorer.exe was restarted".
I also get the same effect when trying to open media files
in Windows Media Player 8 - the program loads fine but
when the file is opened it does the usual and crashes
explorer.
I have tried many of the solutions recommended to others
in various newsgroups, but to no avail. These are as
follows:
- checking iMesh and/or McAfee software (not installed)
- checking HomeSite dlls (done)
- check for viruses and spyware (clear)
- fixing broken links and registry entries (done, but
managed to break IE...)
- perform System Restore (problem persisted 'in the past',
and now System Restore seems to be broken as well)
- use DrWatson for diagnosis (sample log file at
http://www.marcwoolfson.co.uk/drwtsn32.log)
- check latest video/sound drivers (done)
- clearing history and cached web content (done)
- check core windows assemblies using 'sfc /scannow' (done)
- check XP fully patched up and latest version of IE (done)
I tried swapping the RAM, as someone else suggested this
could be a hardware problem. It made no difference.
Tried doing an XP repair and it broke everything. Ended up
rebuilding over the weekend, and everything seemed fine,
but the same error just occurred!
I uninstalled the latest Update that took place last night
by doing a System Restore, and the problem is still there.
I have only installed Office XP, Easy CD 5, TVTool, NAV,
Enemy Territory and GameSpy; all along with their latest
service packs/patches.
Conclusion: Hardware...?
days now.
When I have a few explorer-based windows open and try to
do basic tasks (such as rename files/folders, copy
files, or even just give focus to one), Windows closes
them all, flashes to an empty desktop and then
reloads any non-explorer windows that were open before the
crash. Most of the Taskbar icons also disappear,
although the programs are still running. The same effect
happens when I try to open video files in Windows Media
Player, which also closes along with the explorer windows.
When the problem occurred for the first time, I received
one of the standard 'explorer.exe has crashed' messages,
asking me to debug (I've got the .Net Framework v1.1) or
close. I no longer get these, but I do get Winlogon
entries in the Event Viewer stating "The shell stopped
unexpectedly and explorer.exe was restarted".
I also get the same effect when trying to open media files
in Windows Media Player 8 - the program loads fine but
when the file is opened it does the usual and crashes
explorer.
I have tried many of the solutions recommended to others
in various newsgroups, but to no avail. These are as
follows:
- checking iMesh and/or McAfee software (not installed)
- checking HomeSite dlls (done)
- check for viruses and spyware (clear)
- fixing broken links and registry entries (done, but
managed to break IE...)
- perform System Restore (problem persisted 'in the past',
and now System Restore seems to be broken as well)
- use DrWatson for diagnosis (sample log file at
http://www.marcwoolfson.co.uk/drwtsn32.log)
- check latest video/sound drivers (done)
- clearing history and cached web content (done)
- check core windows assemblies using 'sfc /scannow' (done)
- check XP fully patched up and latest version of IE (done)
I tried swapping the RAM, as someone else suggested this
could be a hardware problem. It made no difference.
Tried doing an XP repair and it broke everything. Ended up
rebuilding over the weekend, and everything seemed fine,
but the same error just occurred!
I uninstalled the latest Update that took place last night
by doing a System Restore, and the problem is still there.
I have only installed Office XP, Easy CD 5, TVTool, NAV,
Enemy Territory and GameSpy; all along with their latest
service packs/patches.
Conclusion: Hardware...?
