cannot find explorer.exe

[Guest]

I booted up my computer (running xp sp2) and all I see is my desktop
background. I can't right click, no icons show up, no taskbar, no start menu.

If I alt-ctrl-del I can run tasks, that is how I got here. I try to run
explorer.exe and it says:
Windows cannot find 'explorer.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly,
and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then
click Search.

Luckily there is a Browse button on the New Task menu, so I click that and
sure enough, explorer.exe is there in the WINDOWS directory. Again, same
error. Then I rename it to zexplorer.exe and try that, it opens up My
Documents in Windows Explorer.

I have checked the shell in the registry which looks correct to me:
hklm\software\microsoft\winnt\currentversion\winlogon = explorer.exe

I have run microsoft's beta spyware app, trojan remover, xsoftspy, mcafee
virus scan (all up to date). I went to windows update and got all the updates
there, no help. I have rebooted countless times, no luck. I tried logging on
as different users and it's the same thing, except their picture loads up in
the background.

No errors pop up when I start.

The gpedit.msc is fine... all the "don't load desktop/start menu" options
haven't been touched.

I ran sfc /scannow and it did nothing (well, I got to sit and watch a blue
bar go across the screen, then when it got to the end nothing, no "Your
computer is fine" or "Your computer is garbage, you better reinstall
everything"

I know windows has a backup recovery deal, but I don't know how to access
it, or if it would even help. Explorer.exe will work when it is called
something else, but it won't seem to shell... something odd is happening
here. Hopefully someone can help. Thank you.

 

[Dan Tate]

Try loading the last known good configuration. It may not work since you've
logged in already, but, sometimes the process to copy the CCS into lastknown
doesn't execute if something is wrong with the system. Also, attempt to
reapply SP2.

From the task manager, click "new task" and type
%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe to start the system restore
process. This may be the only time you want to hear the words "System
Restore".

Try to start explorer from cmd.exe and see if it brings the shell up - also
check your msconfig to see if anything has adulterated the startup.

If all this fails, you may stick in the Windows CD and use the repair
functions.

If all else fails, there's progman for that Windows 3.11 feel

 

[Dan Tate]

Also, if you hit F8 on bootup and go to safe mode - does the shell start
then?

 

[Peter Foldes]

From Kelly's site


Control/Alt/Delete - When the Windows Task Manager dialog box appears, select the File menu and then New Task (Run). When the Create New Task dialog box appears, type in Explorer and press the OK button. Windows Explorer should restart complete with the Start button

 

[Guest]

nope, not even in safe mode... which is what really caught me off guard.

 

[Guest]

Reapplied SP2... nothing
Tried to run explorer.exe from command prompt, it errors as if the file
isn't there
I ran the restore, it let me choose any day so I picked the one from before
I had the problems and it worked... can't remember what I did that was
different but I will be watching out for it now. Thanks... I'll answer the
other replies also incase someone else has this issue.

 

[Guest]

lol... 1st thing i tried listed in para 2, thanks tho. got it from system
restore

 

[Guest]

I have the same problem about 10% of the time when I boot up.

I haven't tried the suggestions here as I've only just discovered this site,
but next time it happens I'll try the new task/Explorer solution and see what
happens.

Thanks for the solutions. I'm running Media Center/XP Rollout 2 btw.