Unable to locate component

T

Teri Cyr

I don't know what happened, but when I turn on my computer with Windows XP on
it on, it gets as far as displaying the desktop background with none of the
normal other stuff (shortcuts or taskbar) with a message which states:
Explorer.exe - Unable to locate component This application has failed
to start because SHDOCVW,dll was not found. Re-installing the application
may fix this problem. Do I need to completely restore my system (which will
wipe out everything) or is there another way? If I need to completely
restore, is there a way I can get to my files to copy them to a disk?

Thank you from an ametuer

Teri
 
M

Mark L. Ferguson

shdocvw is an activeX component for Internet Explorer. You probably use IE7
on a normal XP install which comes with IE 6. That being so, you can
uninstall and then reinstall IE 7 to refresh shdocvw.dll. Another way to do
that is to run the command 'sfc /scannow' from a command prompt.

--
Please use the Communities guidelines when posting.
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Use the "Ratings" feature. It helps the new users.
Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Mark.Ferguson
 
P

philo

Teri Cyr said:
I don't know what happened, but when I turn on my computer with Windows XP on
it on, it gets as far as displaying the desktop background with none of the
normal other stuff (shortcuts or taskbar) with a message which states:
Explorer.exe - Unable to locate component This application has failed
to start because SHDOCVW,dll was not found. Re-installing the application
may fix this problem. Do I need to completely restore my system (which will
wipe out everything) or is there another way? If I need to completely
restore, is there a way I can get to my files to copy them to a disk?

Thank you from an ametuer

Teri


When your system is booting up...(after the bios messages)
but just before Windows loads...hit the F8 key
and opt for safe mode

if you can get to safe mode...
use system restore to take your machine back to a date prior to the problem

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx


BTW: If you do get the machine working...
I suggest backing up all your data to DVDs
or an external harddrive

If you cannot even boot to safe mode post back for further advice
 
T

Teri Cyr

Mark, Thanks for the suggestion, but when I got to the C:\ and typed in
sfc/scannow I was told that it was not a recognized command. Just wondering,
if I download IE7 and save to a disc could I reinstall that way?

Thanks again.
Teri.
 
T

Teri Cyr

Philo, Thanks for trying to help. I do have most of the stuff on the pc
backed up already, but there is some that is not. I cannot get to safemode.

Thanks again,
Teri.
 
P

philo

Teri Cyr said:
Philo, Thanks for trying to help. I do have most of the stuff on the pc
backed up already, but there is some that is not. I cannot get to safemode.

Thanks again,
Teri.

Ok

the best thing to do...is pull the drive and put it in another machine
so that you can backup all your data.


I'd run a RAM test and a HD diagnostic
and if your hardware checks out ok...
then a repair installation may get it fixed
 
T

Teri Cyr

A little beyond my know how. I have a brother in law who might be able to
save it for me. Maybe I will call him, although I was really hoping I could
fix myself for a change. Oh well.

Thank you any way for your suggestions, they are truly appreciated!

Teri.
 
E

Elmo

Teri said:
Mark, Thanks for the suggestion, but when I got to the C:\ and typed in
sfc/scannow I was told that it was not a recognized command. Just wondering,
if I download IE7 and save to a disc could I reinstall that way?

Thanks again.
Teri.

The command was supposed to be:

sfc /scannow

- not -

sfc/scannow

Do you see the difference? Windows' command line does even if you
don't. ;o)
 
P

philo

Teri Cyr said:
A little beyond my know how. I have a brother in law who might be able to
save it for me. Maybe I will call him, although I was really hoping I could
fix myself for a change. Oh well.

Thank you any way for your suggestions, they are truly appreciated!

Teri.


Ok

give him a call!
 

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