Severe explorer.exe problem - NEED HELP

[Guest]

I am having a severe problem with Windows Explorer. I have searched through
these forums, Microsoft knowledgebase, and the internet in general for a fix,
and have tried many of them, but to no avail. There are quite a few posts
here similar to mine, but mine seems to have advanced far past the severity
of the ones I've read. My problem...

I cannot perform any functions in My Computer or Windows Explorer. I can
open them both, and can open folders, but when I attempt to perform any
function while left or right clicking (move, copy, open a file, open a zipped
file, etc.), I get one of the following four error messages:

1) Proxy Desktop: explorer.exe - Application error
The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program.

2) Windows Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
for the inconvenience.

3) Dr. Watson Postmortem Debugger has encountered a problem (I didn't write
down the rest, but I'm sure you all know the error since I've seen it
referenced numerous times in these forums).

4) The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
memory could not be "written". Click OK to terminate the program.

Up until 2 nights ago, everything worked just fine (with just the
occassional random lockup which is par for the course with any Windows
flavor). I began playing around with some XML editing and installed a few
programs. Everything was fine for a few hours, then the problems began. The
programs were Notepad++, IrfanView, and ConText. Each adds elements to the
shell and context menu. I have since removed Notepad++ and Context, and have
removed IrfanView references from the shell. I have installed ShellExView to
check for any other possible culprits. The only other is a program in the XP
PowerToys for viewing raw images, and that has been installed for over a week
with no problems.

I also had both Google Desktop Search and MSN Desktop search installed. I
figured one or both was responsible for the Proxy Drsktop error, so I
uninstalled Google and disabled MSN.

I have disabled DrWatson per the instructions from Microsoft by deleting the
registry key.

I have run Norton Systemworks 2005 One Button Checkup which cleaned all of
my system erors in the registry, shortcuts, etc. Virus scans and
malware/spyware scans come up negative. I have searched and edited the
registry for any instances of the afforementioned removed programs.

Problem numbers 2 & 4 above are still occurring as before - everytime I
attempt to perform a function.

I have WinXP Pro SP2 with all updates and patches as well as OfficeXP Pro
SP3 with all updates and patches (plus numerous other programs, utilities and
games). I just reinstalled EVERYTING over the holidays, and DO NOT WANT TO
DO IT AGAIN! All of the software I have on my system takes days to install
and configure.

If anyone has an ideas or clues, PLEASE let me know. I'm starting to pull
my hair out (and I didn't have much to begin with).

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Bill Adder" <[email protected]>

| I am having a severe problem with Windows Explorer. I have searched through
| these forums, Microsoft knowledgebase, and the internet in general for a fix,
| and have tried many of them, but to no avail. There are quite a few posts
| here similar to mine, but mine seems to have advanced far past the severity
| of the ones I've read. My problem...
|
| I cannot perform any functions in My Computer or Windows Explorer. I can
| open them both, and can open folders, but when I attempt to perform any
| function while left or right clicking (move, copy, open a file, open a zipped
| file, etc.), I get one of the following four error messages:
|
| 1) Proxy Desktop: explorer.exe - Application error
| The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program.
|
| 2) Windows Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
| for the inconvenience.
|
| 3) Dr. Watson Postmortem Debugger has encountered a problem (I didn't write
| down the rest, but I'm sure you all know the error since I've seen it
| referenced numerous times in these forums).
|
| 4) The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "written". Click OK to terminate the program.
|
| Up until 2 nights ago, everything worked just fine (with just the
| occassional random lockup which is par for the course with any Windows
| flavor). I began playing around with some XML editing and installed a few
| programs. Everything was fine for a few hours, then the problems began. The
| programs were Notepad++, IrfanView, and ConText. Each adds elements to the
| shell and context menu. I have since removed Notepad++ and Context, and have
| removed IrfanView references from the shell. I have installed ShellExView to
| check for any other possible culprits. The only other is a program in the XP
| PowerToys for viewing raw images, and that has been installed for over a week
| with no problems.
|
| I also had both Google Desktop Search and MSN Desktop search installed. I
| figured one or both was responsible for the Proxy Drsktop error, so I
| uninstalled Google and disabled MSN.
|
| I have disabled DrWatson per the instructions from Microsoft by deleting the
| registry key.
|
| I have run Norton Systemworks 2005 One Button Checkup which cleaned all of
| my system erors in the registry, shortcuts, etc. Virus scans and
| malware/spyware scans come up negative. I have searched and edited the
| registry for any instances of the afforementioned removed programs.
|
| Problem numbers 2 & 4 above are still occurring as before - everytime I
| attempt to perform a function.
|
| I have WinXP Pro SP2 with all updates and patches as well as OfficeXP Pro
| SP3 with all updates and patches (plus numerous other programs, utilities and
| games). I just reinstalled EVERYTING over the holidays, and DO NOT WANT TO
| DO IT AGAIN! All of the software I have on my system takes days to install
| and configure.
|
| If anyone has an ideas or clues, PLEASE let me know. I'm starting to pull
| my hair out (and I didn't have much to begin with).

I suggest performing additional anti virus scans -- just to make sure !


Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[Guest]

Thanks David, I'll try that. I've never heard of the site you are referring
to, but I will use it from now on, regardless if that is the problem or not.

A few things I forgot to mention though...

I did check to make sure the explorer.exe was in the root folder and NOT in
the system32 folder which would indicate a virus.

As for running in Safe Mode, at the moment, I am unable to boot into SM. I
have a rather unusual hardware configuration with a SOYO MB that refuses to
boot to my raid drives - it freezes at the DMI Pool Data (searched everywhere
for weeks for an answer to that one). The MB is a Dragon Ultra and the drive
attached is a WD 200GB, so its not a problem with old or no-name hardware. I
upgraded the bios and that did not resolve the issue either. So, as a work
around, I keep the WinXP Pro CD in the drive and the system boots using the
CD. It has worked for the past year, but, as I said, I cannot boot into safe
mode (F8 starts the install from the CD) - actually works as a security
messure too... I take the CD with me and the system won't boot! LOL

Anyway, I'll post again after I run a few more virus scans.

From: "Bill Adder" <[email protected]>

| I am having a severe problem with Windows Explorer. I have searched through
| these forums, Microsoft knowledgebase, and the internet in general for a fix,
| and have tried many of them, but to no avail. There are quite a few posts
| here similar to mine, but mine seems to have advanced far past the severity
| of the ones I've read. My problem...
|
| I cannot perform any functions in My Computer or Windows Explorer. I can
| open them both, and can open folders, but when I attempt to perform any
| function while left or right clicking (move, copy, open a file, open a zipped
| file, etc.), I get one of the following four error messages:
|
| 1) Proxy Desktop: explorer.exe - Application error
| The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program.
|
| 2) Windows Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
| for the inconvenience.
|
| 3) Dr. Watson Postmortem Debugger has encountered a problem (I didn't write
| down the rest, but I'm sure you all know the error since I've seen it
| referenced numerous times in these forums).
|
| 4) The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "written". Click OK to terminate the program.
|
| Up until 2 nights ago, everything worked just fine (with just the
| occassional random lockup which is par for the course with any Windows
| flavor). I began playing around with some XML editing and installed a few
| programs. Everything was fine for a few hours, then the problems began. The
| programs were Notepad++, IrfanView, and ConText. Each adds elements to the
| shell and context menu. I have since removed Notepad++ and Context, and have
| removed IrfanView references from the shell. I have installed ShellExView to
| check for any other possible culprits. The only other is a program in the XP
| PowerToys for viewing raw images, and that has been installed for over a week
| with no problems.
|
| I also had both Google Desktop Search and MSN Desktop search installed. I
| figured one or both was responsible for the Proxy Drsktop error, so I
| uninstalled Google and disabled MSN.
|
| I have disabled DrWatson per the instructions from Microsoft by deleting the
| registry key.
|
| I have run Norton Systemworks 2005 One Button Checkup which cleaned all of
| my system erors in the registry, shortcuts, etc. Virus scans and
| malware/spyware scans come up negative. I have searched and edited the
| registry for any instances of the afforementioned removed programs.
|
| Problem numbers 2 & 4 above are still occurring as before - everytime I
| attempt to perform a function.
|
| I have WinXP Pro SP2 with all updates and patches as well as OfficeXP Pro
| SP3 with all updates and patches (plus numerous other programs, utilities and
| games). I just reinstalled EVERYTING over the holidays, and DO NOT WANT TO
| DO IT AGAIN! All of the software I have on my system takes days to install
| and configure.
|
| If anyone has an ideas or clues, PLEASE let me know. I'm starting to pull
| my hair out (and I didn't have much to begin with).

I suggest performing additional anti virus scans -- just to make sure !


Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[Guest]

Well, I have no viruses on my system. Instead of using the one in Dave's
suggestion, I used Window's Live Safety Center full online Scan and then
followed that with Kaspersky Labs full online scan. Neither of these nor my
Norton 2005 found any viruses. Does anyone have any ideas other than a virus?

From: "Bill Adder" <[email protected]>

| I am having a severe problem with Windows Explorer. I have searched through
| these forums, Microsoft knowledgebase, and the internet in general for a fix,
| and have tried many of them, but to no avail. There are quite a few posts
| here similar to mine, but mine seems to have advanced far past the severity
| of the ones I've read. My problem...
|
| I cannot perform any functions in My Computer or Windows Explorer. I can
| open them both, and can open folders, but when I attempt to perform any
| function while left or right clicking (move, copy, open a file, open a zipped
| file, etc.), I get one of the following four error messages:
|
| 1) Proxy Desktop: explorer.exe - Application error
| The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program.
|
| 2) Windows Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
| for the inconvenience.
|
| 3) Dr. Watson Postmortem Debugger has encountered a problem (I didn't write
| down the rest, but I'm sure you all know the error since I've seen it
| referenced numerous times in these forums).
|
| 4) The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "written". Click OK to terminate the program.
|
| Up until 2 nights ago, everything worked just fine (with just the
| occassional random lockup which is par for the course with any Windows
| flavor). I began playing around with some XML editing and installed a few
| programs. Everything was fine for a few hours, then the problems began. The
| programs were Notepad++, IrfanView, and ConText. Each adds elements to the
| shell and context menu. I have since removed Notepad++ and Context, and have
| removed IrfanView references from the shell. I have installed ShellExView to
| check for any other possible culprits. The only other is a program in the XP
| PowerToys for viewing raw images, and that has been installed for over a week
| with no problems.
|
| I also had both Google Desktop Search and MSN Desktop search installed. I
| figured one or both was responsible for the Proxy Drsktop error, so I
| uninstalled Google and disabled MSN.
|
| I have disabled DrWatson per the instructions from Microsoft by deleting the
| registry key.
|
| I have run Norton Systemworks 2005 One Button Checkup which cleaned all of
| my system erors in the registry, shortcuts, etc. Virus scans and
| malware/spyware scans come up negative. I have searched and edited the
| registry for any instances of the afforementioned removed programs.
|
| Problem numbers 2 & 4 above are still occurring as before - everytime I
| attempt to perform a function.
|
| I have WinXP Pro SP2 with all updates and patches as well as OfficeXP Pro
| SP3 with all updates and patches (plus numerous other programs, utilities and
| games). I just reinstalled EVERYTING over the holidays, and DO NOT WANT TO
| DO IT AGAIN! All of the software I have on my system takes days to install
| and configure.
|
| If anyone has an ideas or clues, PLEASE let me know. I'm starting to pull
| my hair out (and I didn't have much to begin with).

I suggest performing additional anti virus scans -- just to make sure !


Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Bill Adder" <[email protected]>

| Well, I have no viruses on my system. Instead of using the one in Dave's
| suggestion, I used Window's Live Safety Center full online Scan and then
| followed that with Kaspersky Labs full online scan. Neither of these nor my
| Norton 2005 found any viruses. Does anyone have any ideas other than a virus?
|


Kaspersky was a good idea. Window's Live Safety Center is not. It falls way below the
standards of the AV industry so it just was a time consuming venture.

If it is not malware, I don't wahat your explorer.exe problem is. Sorry I can't be of any
further assistance.

 

[Rock]

<snip>

See if it might be a right click context menu handler gone awry. See
this link:
Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

 

[Guest]

sounds like your infected by malware - there was a patch released by
Microsoft on friday for the WMF - do you get any warnings/errors etc.. at the
bottom right handside on your taskbar/notification area which says something
like "warning you have been infected by spyware" or something?

Well, I have no viruses on my system. Instead of using the one in Dave's
suggestion, I used Window's Live Safety Center full online Scan and then
followed that with Kaspersky Labs full online scan. Neither of these nor my
Norton 2005 found any viruses. Does anyone have any ideas other than a virus?

From: "Bill Adder" <[email protected]>

| I am having a severe problem with Windows Explorer. I have searched through
| these forums, Microsoft knowledgebase, and the internet in general for a fix,
| and have tried many of them, but to no avail. There are quite a few posts
| here similar to mine, but mine seems to have advanced far past the severity
| of the ones I've read. My problem...
|
| I cannot perform any functions in My Computer or Windows Explorer. I can
| open them both, and can open folders, but when I attempt to perform any
| function while left or right clicking (move, copy, open a file, open a zipped
| file, etc.), I get one of the following four error messages:
|
| 1) Proxy Desktop: explorer.exe - Application error
| The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "read". Click on OK to terminate the program.
|
| 2) Windows Explorer encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
| for the inconvenience.
|
| 3) Dr. Watson Postmortem Debugger has encountered a problem (I didn't write
| down the rest, but I'm sure you all know the error since I've seen it
| referenced numerous times in these forums).
|
| 4) The instruction at "0x04##2e90" referenced memory at "0x04##2748". The
| memory could not be "written". Click OK to terminate the program.
|
| Up until 2 nights ago, everything worked just fine (with just the
| occassional random lockup which is par for the course with any Windows
| flavor). I began playing around with some XML editing and installed a few
| programs. Everything was fine for a few hours, then the problems began. The
| programs were Notepad++, IrfanView, and ConText. Each adds elements to the
| shell and context menu. I have since removed Notepad++ and Context, and have
| removed IrfanView references from the shell. I have installed ShellExView to
| check for any other possible culprits. The only other is a program in the XP
| PowerToys for viewing raw images, and that has been installed for over a week
| with no problems.
|
| I also had both Google Desktop Search and MSN Desktop search installed. I
| figured one or both was responsible for the Proxy Drsktop error, so I
| uninstalled Google and disabled MSN.
|
| I have disabled DrWatson per the instructions from Microsoft by deleting the
| registry key.
|
| I have run Norton Systemworks 2005 One Button Checkup which cleaned all of
| my system erors in the registry, shortcuts, etc. Virus scans and
| malware/spyware scans come up negative. I have searched and edited the
| registry for any instances of the afforementioned removed programs.
|
| Problem numbers 2 & 4 above are still occurring as before - everytime I
| attempt to perform a function.
|
| I have WinXP Pro SP2 with all updates and patches as well as OfficeXP Pro
| SP3 with all updates and patches (plus numerous other programs, utilities and
| games). I just reinstalled EVERYTING over the holidays, and DO NOT WANT TO
| DO IT AGAIN! All of the software I have on my system takes days to install
| and configure.
|
| If anyone has an ideas or clues, PLEASE let me know. I'm starting to pull
| my hair out (and I didn't have much to begin with).

I suggest performing additional anti virus scans -- just to make sure !


Download MULTI_AV.EXE from the URL --
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe

To use this utility, perform the following...
Execute; Multi_AV.exe { Note: You must use the default folder C:\AV-CLS }
Choose; Unzip
Choose; Close

Execute; C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT
{ or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS }

NOTE: You may have to disable your software FireWall or allow WGET.EXE to go through your
FireWall to allow it to download the needed AV vendor related files.

C:\AV-CLS\StartMenu.BAT -- { or Double-click on 'Start Menu' in C:\AV-CLS}
This will bring up the initial menu of choices and should be executed in Normal Mode.
This way all the components can be downloaded from each AV vendor's web site.
The choices are; Sophos, Trend, McAfee, Kaspersky, Exit this menu and Reboot the PC.

You can choose to go to each menu item and just download the needed files or you can
download the files and perform a scan in Normal Mode. Once you have downloaded the files
needed for each scanner you want to use, you should reboot the PC into Safe Mode [F8 key
during boot] and re-run the menu again and choose which scanner you want to run in Safe
Mode. It is suggested to run the scanners in both Safe Mode and Normal Mode.

When the menu is displayed hitting 'H' or 'h' will bring up a more comprehensive PDF help
file. http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm


* * * Please report back your results * * *