What did I delete that caused this?

[...D.]

NO real big deal - computer still works, maybe no harm done...

So, going through "Program Files" yesterday. seeing stuff I didn't have
loaded anymore.. So I deleted some of the3 folders out of the multitude
that was there.

Well after that the reboot I thought things were loading slower/.. Or was
it my imagination? or just rarely it happens, something just gets out of
place and a shut down and restart fixes it all.

So here is what's going on. I look in XP's "task manager". With nothing
going on, the CPU seems to have similar readings as before, as in "CPU
usage = 2% (then) 4% (then maybe) 5%, (then back down to) 2%.. Or in
"processes" "system idle process" is like 98%..

OK, but still in the task manager, back in "Applications" again, there is
something that wasn't there before. It is a white box that just say
exactly this as to what it is "# working on".. Now, I right click and
select "go to process", and so it jumps to the "Processes" window, and in
is on "explorer.exe".

And it is legit, because if I end process I lose my icons and am staring
at my desktop background... So I have to reboot using task manager, which
is the only thing I can access now (using cntrl-alt-del).

OK - so how can I get this back to normal? I do not recall "explorer" -
the Windows basic thing that other stuff runs on operating I guess - ever
showing up as an "application" that was running.. And while sitting there
in "Processes" looking at it, the CPU category occasionally jumps to 2%.

So what evil have I done? Any help or guidance please.. I do not want to
have to reinstall windows just to get this right.. It annoys me..

Thanks,
...D.

 

[Malke]

NO real big deal - computer still works, maybe no harm done...

So, going through "Program Files" yesterday. seeing stuff I didn't
have
loaded anymore.. So I deleted some of the3 folders out of the
multitude that was there.

Well after that the reboot I thought things were loading slower/.. Or
was
it my imagination? or just rarely it happens, something just gets out
of place and a shut down and restart fixes it all.

So here is what's going on. I look in XP's "task manager". With
nothing going on, the CPU seems to have similar readings as before, as
in "CPU
usage = 2% (then) 4% (then maybe) 5%, (then back down to) 2%.. Or in
"processes" "system idle process" is like 98%..

OK, but still in the task manager, back in "Applications" again, there
is
something that wasn't there before. It is a white box that just say
exactly this as to what it is "# working on".. Now, I right click and
select "go to process", and so it jumps to the "Processes" window, and
in is on "explorer.exe".

And it is legit, because if I end process I lose my icons and am
staring at my desktop background... So I have to reboot using task
manager, which is the only thing I can access now (using
cntrl-alt-del).

OK - so how can I get this back to normal? I do not recall "explorer"
- the Windows basic thing that other stuff runs on operating I guess -
ever showing up as an "application" that was running.. And while
sitting there in "Processes" looking at it, the CPU category
occasionally jumps to 2%.

So what evil have I done? Any help or guidance please.. I do not want
to have to reinstall windows just to get this right.. It annoys me..

Thanks,
...D.

Explorer.exe is the Windows graphical user interface (gui) and under
normal circumstances, always runs. There is no way for us to know what
you have done. Try a System Restore to before you did whatever it was
you did. Make sure you have a current version antivirus using updated
definitions also.

Malke

 

[Galen]

In ....D. <d@no_usenet_email..org> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

NO real big deal - computer still works, maybe no harm done...

<snip>

The explorer.exe that you were seeing is things like icons and taskbar. It
could have a virus attached to it but that's a whole other story.

What did you do? Well... You deleted the folders from the program files
instead of the add/remove applet within the control panel. Specifically?
I've no idea. I don't know what you deleted.

Galen

 

[Kelly]

What were they? Are they still in your recycle bin?

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[...D.]

Explorer.exe is the Windows graphical user interface (gui) and under
normal circumstances, always runs. There is no way for us to know what
you have done. Try a System Restore to before you did whatever it was
you did. Make sure you have a current version antivirus using updated
definitions also.

Malke

Thanks. But that's one thing that always ceases to work.. I've deleted all
(turned it off), and re-set it several times, yet when it goes to restore,
it goes through the motions, reboots, still acts like it is going to work,
but then it always comes up "cannot restore from this saved point..

I don't even know why I leave it on.. I've re-set it probably 5 times,
saved a point, immediately went and restored from that point, just as a
test.. ...and then when I need it - it is crap. other than that, all works
great, and i like Windows XP.

...D..

 

[...D.]

What were they? Are they still in your recycle bin?

Just some programs like CompuServe 7.0 (No idea how I got that) and a few
other folders I though I had uninstalled the right way previously..

I am thinking that, because in the task manage's reporting of used CPU,
that I just somehow messed up explorer's icon - and I don't recall
explorer showing up as a running "application" in the applications
window - in the task manager. (I know it shows up in "processes). I guess
I'll ask my friend to look in his task manager..

Thanks you guys....

...D.