IE 6 fails to start (wants to send error report)

[Some Guy]

On the system in question (win-98se, fully patched/updated) IE was well
behaved. I was away for a few days and a relative stayed at my house
and was using the computer. At some point IE got screwed up.

So right now when IE is launched, no IE window is created or started.
Instead, some sort of error window comes up that says "Microsoft
Internet Explorer has encounterd a problem and needs to close". There
is a checkbox to restart IE, along with a couple of buttons (send error
report, don't send report).

The details of the report contains the following selected info:

Error Signature:
AppName: iexplore.exe
modver: 4.72.3812.600
Appver: 6.0.2800.1106
Offset: 00001af2
ModName: shell32.dll
Exception Information:
Code: 0xc0000005
flags: 0x00000000

Is it correct that the problem here is the interaction between ie and
shell32?

Shell32.dll is version 4.72.3812.600, user32.dll and user.exe is version
4.10.2231.

Would a remedy be to install IE? Is that even possible?

PS: Firefox continues to function correctly, although I believe that
I'm seeing some strange behavior (such as the home, end, and arrow keys
don't always function in the URL entry box).

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

On the system in question (win-98se, fully patched/updated) IE was well
behaved. I was away for a few days and a relative stayed at my house
and was using the computer. At some point IE got screwed up.

So right now when IE is launched, no IE window is created or started.
Instead, some sort of error window comes up that says "Microsoft
Internet Explorer has encounterd a problem and needs to close". There
is a checkbox to restart IE, along with a couple of buttons (send error
report, don't send report).

The details of the report contains the following selected info:

Error Signature:
AppName: iexplore.exe
modver: 4.72.3812.600
Appver: 6.0.2800.1106
Offset: 00001af2
ModName: shell32.dll
Exception Information:
Code: 0xc0000005
flags: 0x00000000

Is it correct that the problem here is the interaction between ie and
shell32?

Shell32.dll is version 4.72.3812.600, user32.dll and user.exe is version
4.10.2231.

Would a remedy be to install IE? Is that even possible?

PS: Firefox continues to function correctly, although I believe that
I'm seeing some strange behavior (such as the home, end, and arrow keys
don't always function in the URL entry box).

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[RandyCorona]

On the system in question (win-98se, fully patched/updated) IE was well
Buy, beg, or steal a copy of XP and stop messing around with 98.
I've been running it on my personal machines and test beds since it was in beta,
and it's vastly superior and far more stable

 

[winta]

I have a similar problem. After I downloaded skype, my internet, I/E
stopped responding. I can open the internet but it stops responding after
my opening window. I get a blank window and something flashes a few times.
I can't even check it for a hijack, because i can't switch windows. Also,
when I am in O/E and I click on an underlined URL, I get a blank window and
I/E does not respond.

I would appreciate any suggestions. O.E seems to work anmd I use XP.

thanks.
Al

 

[Maurice N ~ MVP]

Al,

A few suggestions. Start your own new thread. The last reply to this thread
was a month and a half ago.
In your new post, state your version/edition of Windows and IE version also.
I note yours is XP, but you may just want to state if it is Home or PRO
edition, and which Service Pack. But your IE version is the key one. IE 6
or IE 7 ? or ?

Here is the immediate action you need to take the next time this issue
re-appears. Use CTRL+ALT+DEL keys to get to Task manager.
Find and highlight each instance of IEXPLORE.EXE and then click END
Process. Do that for each one. You will likely have 2 or more.

The next immediate action is to check for malware infections, as stated by
Frank and PABear.

Once that is done, as a interim measure, get another browser setup on the
system to use while IE is un-usable.

Here is the behavior you likely see with IE:
You can start IE browser ok. As soon as you select a site or type in a URL,
the mouse pointer disappears and the screen "appears to freeze" or even goes
back to home page. And the very next thing, the screen is refreshed with
only the IE title bar and the rest of it all white.
Meantime in the background, successive copies of Internet Explorer
(IEXPLORE) are being started.

I have seen this on 1 XP Pro SP2 with IE 6 with latest MS updates. No
malware found up to now. I have run 2 scans plus other tools as well.