Windows Explorer will not launch

[Guest]

I have a Media Center 05 PC. I am unable to launch Windows Explorer without
an error message, I did not have a chance to see what the error was, as it
immediately went to "Reporting this error to Microsoft". I have restarted,
shut down let it sit for a while and still have the same problem. I briefly
noticed the file name of XXXXX.dll before the reporting window came up.

HELP!!!!!!!!

 

[Guest]

Here is the error message:

App Name: explorer.exe App Vers: 6.0.2900.2180 Mod Name: shell32.dll
Mod Vers: 6.0.2900.2951 Offset: 0015fca2

 

[Claymore]

Hello Ken,

That doesn't tell us enough. Go to Start => Run and type in
"eventvwr.msc" {without the quotes)

Look in the System and/or Appilcation folders for any errors about the
time you encounter the problem, and double-click to open them. They
should indicate the explorer.exe cause. There should be a link to MS
online help that may give a solution.
Otherwise, you'll see a small notebook-type icon. Click this, which
will copy the error message to the clipboard. Open Notepad and paste it
in. Copy what you get and post it here.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Clayton, I did what you suggested, and found some errors around the
time that Windows Explorer stopped working. I am not sure what I am supposed
to be looking for when I double click on the error. I get the same error
description that I posted earlier in here. Can you please be more specific
what I am to look for in the description of the error that I find. Thanks.

I was going to do a restore back to a time when I know all was working, but
my feeling is that is just masking the problem. Is there a way I can do a
"repair" on XP? The PC is a Media Center PC and I have the disk from my last
upgrade which was MC 05.

 

[Guest]

OK, Clayton or anyone else willing to take a shot at this. Here is the
contents of the error that I got from eventvwr.msc:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 10/25/2006
Time: 5:51:18 PM
User: N/A
Computer: YOUR-9K1AY6X2A2
Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.2180, faulting module
shell32.dll, version 6.0.2900.2951, fault address 0x0015fca2.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 65 78 70 ure exp
0018: 6c 6f 72 65 72 2e 65 78 lorer.ex
0020: 65 20 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 e 6.0.29
0028: 30 30 2e 32 31 38 30 20 00.2180
0030: 69 6e 20 73 68 65 6c 6c in shell
0038: 33 32 2e 64 6c 6c 20 36 32.dll 6
0040: 2e 30 2e 32 39 30 30 2e .0.2900.
0048: 32 39 35 31 20 61 74 20 2951 at
0050: 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 30 offset 0
0058: 30 31 35 66 63 61 32 0d 015fca2.
0060: 0a

 

[Claymore]

Hello again, Ken

Try this:

"Otherwise, you'll see a small notebook-type icon. Click this, which
will copy the error message to the clipboard. Open Notepad and paste it

in. Copy what you get and post it here."

You should see ans Event ID. Probably won't help much but we'll see.

One possibility is a corrupt User account, so start in Safe Mode (tap
F8 after the startup splash screen) and log in to the Administrator
account. If you don't get the same condition, back in Normal Mode
create another account and see if you get the same condition.

 

[Guest]

Clayton I posted earlier the error message from eventvwr.msc. Here it is
again:


Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 10/25/2006
Time: 5:51:18 PM
User: N/A
Computer: YOUR-9K1AY6X2A2
Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.2180, faulting module
shell32.dll, version 6.0.2900.2951, fault address 0x0015fca2.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 65 78 70 ure exp
0018: 6c 6f 72 65 72 2e 65 78 lorer.ex
0020: 65 20 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 e 6.0.29
0028: 30 30 2e 32 31 38 30 20 00.2180
0030: 69 6e 20 73 68 65 6c 6c in shell
0038: 33 32 2e 64 6c 6c 20 36 32.dll 6
0040: 2e 30 2e 32 39 30 30 2e .0.2900.
0048: 32 39 35 31 20 61 74 20 2951 at
0050: 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 30 offset 0
0058: 30 31 35 66 63 61 32 0d 015fca2.
0060: 0a

 

[Guest]

Well, the problem did not occur in Safe Mode, but I have but one question,
how do I create a new user account in Normal Mode if I am unable to launch
Control Panel????????????????????

Can I create a new account in Safe Mode?

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Well, the problem did not occur in Safe Mode, but I have but one question,
how do I create a new user account in Normal Mode if I am unable to launch
Control Panel????????????????????

Can I create a new account in Safe Mode?

Yes, you can.

You may also find that if you can right-click on My Computer and choose
Manage, then click on Users and Groups, then Users, and then choose Action,
New User, you can create a new user account.

HTH
-pk