explorer.exe crashes on Control Panel or Windows Explorer close

  • Thread starter Thread starter SKnowles
  • Start date Start date
S

SKnowles

Ever since I installed the KB951847 .NET Framework update, I get the "Windows
Explorer has encountered an error and has to close" message whenever I close
a Control Panel or Windows Explorer window.

I'm running Windows XP SP3.

KB951847 failed to install at first, and I had to uninstall all .NET
Framework updates, then re-install & re-apply all. (I had to use the Dot Net
Clean-up tool to uninstall.)

I do not need to have a Windows Explorer window open to cause this (by
closing Control Panel). It happens whether I close with "File/Close" or the
corner 'X'. And, I can leave both Control Panel and Windows Explorer open
with no problems until I close one.

Sometimes, Dr. Watson also crashes. If that happens, I have to restart with
<alt><ctl><delete>. If only Windows Explorer crashes, I can continue to work,
as long as I wait for the desktop to refresh BEFORE ending the error
reporting dialog.

Event logs (from a combined crash) below. I sure hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance,
- Steve
---------------- Event Log data ---------------
=====================================
Windows Explorer and Dr. Watson crash:
=====================================
(Explorer.exe):
--------------
Date: 3/6/2009
Time: 9:33:09 AM
Type: Error
User: N/A
Computer: SKWORK2MA

Source: Application Error
Category: None
Event ID: 1000

Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, faulting module

browseui.dll, version 6.0.2900.5512, fault address 0x00028833.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Data: (Bytes)
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 35 35 31 32 20 00.5512
0030: 69 6e 20 62 72 6f 77 73 in brows
0038: 65 75 69 2e 64 6c 6c 20 eui.dll
0040: 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 30 30 6.0.2900
0048: 2e 35 35 31 32 20 61 74 .5512 at
0050: 20 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 offset
0058: 30 30 30 32 38 38 33 33 00028833
0060: 0d 0a ..

Date: 3/6/2009
Time: 9:33:12 AM
Type: Error
User: N/A
Computer: SKWORK2MA

Source: Application Error
Category: None
Event ID: 1001

Description:
Fault bucket 745630164.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Data (Bytes):

0000: 42 75 63 6b 65 74 3a 20 Bucket:
0008: 37 34 35 36 33 30 31 36 74563016
0010: 34 0d 0a 4..


------------
(Dr. Watson):
------------
Date: 3/6/2009
Time: 9:33:15 AM
Type: Error
User: N/A
Computer: SKWORK2MA

Source: Application Error
Category: (100)
Event ID: 1000

Description:
Faulting application drwtsn32.exe, version 5.1.2600.0, faulting module

dbghelp.dll, version 5.1.2600.5512, fault address 0x0001295d.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Data: (Bytes)
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 64 72 77 ure drw
0018: 74 73 6e 33 32 2e 65 78 tsn32.ex
0020: 65 20 35 2e 31 2e 32 36 e 5.1.26
0028: 30 30 2e 30 20 69 6e 20 00.0 in
0030: 64 62 67 68 65 6c 70 2e dbghelp.
0038: 64 6c 6c 20 35 2e 31 2e dll 5.1.
0040: 32 36 30 30 2e 35 35 31 2600.551
0048: 32 20 61 74 20 6f 66 66 2 at off
0050: 73 65 74 20 30 30 30 31 set 0001
0058: 32 39 35 64 295d

Date: 3/6/2009
Time: 9:33:27 AM
Type: Error
User: N/A
Computer: SKWORK2MA

Source: Application Error
Category: None
Event ID: 1001

Description:
Fault bucket 223121472.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Data (Bytes):
0000: 42 75 63 6b 65 74 3a 20 Bucket:
0008: 32 32 33 31 32 31 34 37 22312147
0010: 32 0d 0a 2..
 
SKnowles said:
Ever since I installed the KB951847 .NET Framework update, I get the "Windows
Explorer has encountered an error and has to close" message whenever I close
a Control Panel or Windows Explorer window.

I'm running Windows XP SP3.

KB951847 failed to install at first, and I had to uninstall all .NET
Framework updates, then re-install & re-apply all. (I had to use the Dot Net
Clean-up tool to uninstall.)

I do not need to have a Windows Explorer window open to cause this (by
closing Control Panel). It happens whether I close with "File/Close" or the
corner 'X'. And, I can leave both Control Panel and Windows Explorer open
with no problems until I close one.

Sometimes, Dr. Watson also crashes. If that happens, I have to restart with
<alt><ctl><delete>. If only Windows Explorer crashes, I can continue to work,
as long as I wait for the desktop to refresh BEFORE ending the error
reporting dialog.

Event logs (from a combined crash) below. I sure hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance,
- Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,
We seen this issue a lot and can be caused by many things, they are:
1- Bad application running in the background
2- BHO installed on your Browser causing the shell to crash
3- Security software installed or an old one removed and still some
remenanats causing the crash!
4- Malware and virsues
5- Corrupt/damaged IE installation/Program
etc.....>>
Since you didn't mention your Browser IE? version and I can see you said you
installed SP3 I will take it you have IE7?

Try to narrow down the causers by starting the machine with clean boot per
the instructions provided by the MS KB provided in this post and try to check
two programs each time and start the machine and see if the Explorer will
carsh when you open CPL, does it help to find the causer?
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
View products that this article applies to.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434


If it doesn't try these steps:
1... Click start >> Control Panel >> Double Click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options, on the IE Properties window
you will see these Options:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs
| Advanced .

Click on General Tab (1st Tab on the left) and you will see a Button called
[ Clear History ..] click on it to clear your History caches, then click on
[Delete Files..] to delete Internet Files created over the time, click on [
Delete Cookies...] to delete your cookies left by visiting websites.

Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
= Then try to Disable the Add-Ons on your Browser somehow installed on your
browser, On how to disable the Add-ons follow this:
Click on Programs Tab and then click the Manage Add-Ons Button there Disable
the None/Not Verified Plug-ins/Add-ons ( you need to Renable them one-by-one
later and see which is the culprit .
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256

install the free trial of Windows Live OneCare
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/technologies/onecare/default.mspx

Windows Defender detects and removes spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936213/
How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737

Open a Notepad and copy and paste these commands, then save on your desktop
as repair.bat then double click the icon for the batch file to execute and
Reboot your machine. Does it help?

If the above didn't help run the System file checker (SFC) from the Run
command:
sfc /scannow
HTH,
nass
 
Nass -
Thanks; I'll definitely try the clean boot & (if that doesn't do it) several
of your other suggestions.

I want to be clear, though, that it's Windows Explorer that is crashing, not
Internet Explorer. (I believe they can affect each other, though.)

I should also have said: I'm running XP Pro SP3. I run both IE
(7.0.5730.11) and Firefox 3 (3.06). I've run a complete scan (using
Kaspersky) which comes up clean. Also, tried disabling DEP for explorer.exe;
didn't fix the problem.

Sorry, I didn't understand a couple of your acronyms: what are "BHO" and
"CPL"?

Thanks again; will report back once I've tried your other suggestions.
- Steve

nass said:
SKnowles said:
Ever since I installed the KB951847 .NET Framework update, I get the "Windows
Explorer has encountered an error and has to close" message whenever I close
a Control Panel or Windows Explorer window.

I'm running Windows XP SP3.

KB951847 failed to install at first, and I had to uninstall all .NET
Framework updates, then re-install & re-apply all. (I had to use the Dot Net
Clean-up tool to uninstall.)

I do not need to have a Windows Explorer window open to cause this (by
closing Control Panel). It happens whether I close with "File/Close" or the
corner 'X'. And, I can leave both Control Panel and Windows Explorer open
with no problems until I close one.

Sometimes, Dr. Watson also crashes. If that happens, I have to restart with
<alt><ctl><delete>. If only Windows Explorer crashes, I can continue to work,
as long as I wait for the desktop to refresh BEFORE ending the error
reporting dialog.

Event logs (from a combined crash) below. I sure hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance,
- Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,
We seen this issue a lot and can be caused by many things, they are:
1- Bad application running in the background
2- BHO installed on your Browser causing the shell to crash
3- Security software installed or an old one removed and still some
remenanats causing the crash!
4- Malware and virsues
5- Corrupt/damaged IE installation/Program
etc.....>>
Since you didn't mention your Browser IE? version and I can see you said you
installed SP3 I will take it you have IE7?

Try to narrow down the causers by starting the machine with clean boot per
the instructions provided by the MS KB provided in this post and try to check
two programs each time and start the machine and see if the Explorer will
carsh when you open CPL, does it help to find the causer?
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
View products that this article applies to.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434


If it doesn't try these steps:
1... Click start >> Control Panel >> Double Click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options, on the IE Properties window
you will see these Options:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs
| Advanced .

Click on General Tab (1st Tab on the left) and you will see a Button called
[ Clear History ..] click on it to clear your History caches, then click on
[Delete Files..] to delete Internet Files created over the time, click on [
Delete Cookies...] to delete your cookies left by visiting websites.

Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
= Then try to Disable the Add-Ons on your Browser somehow installed on your
browser, On how to disable the Add-ons follow this:
Click on Programs Tab and then click the Manage Add-Ons Button there Disable
the None/Not Verified Plug-ins/Add-ons ( you need to Renable them one-by-one
later and see which is the culprit .
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256

install the free trial of Windows Live OneCare
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/technologies/onecare/default.mspx

Windows Defender detects and removes spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936213/
How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737

Open a Notepad and copy and paste these commands, then save on your desktop
as repair.bat then double click the icon for the batch file to execute and
Reboot your machine. Does it help?

If the above didn't help run the System file checker (SFC) from the Run
command:
sfc /scannow
HTH,
nass
Click to expand...
 
Hi Steve,
Yes, I know and read that you mean Windows Explorer not IE (Internet
Explorer). In your scenario you will find BHO or malware causing your issue
or a badly written Program causing the shell (Explorer) to crash.

A BHO is an abbreviation for Browser Helper Object > Hooks:
Browser Helper Object
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browser_Helper_Object
A CPL an abbreviation for Control Panel.

Downlaod this Anti-spyware:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

Let us know your progress.
nass

SKnowles said:
Nass -
Thanks; I'll definitely try the clean boot & (if that doesn't do it) several
of your other suggestions.

I want to be clear, though, that it's Windows Explorer that is crashing, not
Internet Explorer. (I believe they can affect each other, though.)

I should also have said: I'm running XP Pro SP3. I run both IE
(7.0.5730.11) and Firefox 3 (3.06). I've run a complete scan (using
Kaspersky) which comes up clean. Also, tried disabling DEP for explorer.exe;
didn't fix the problem.

Sorry, I didn't understand a couple of your acronyms: what are "BHO" and
"CPL"?

Thanks again; will report back once I've tried your other suggestions.
- Steve

nass said:
SKnowles said:
Ever since I installed the KB951847 .NET Framework update, I get the "Windows
Explorer has encountered an error and has to close" message whenever I close
a Control Panel or Windows Explorer window.

I'm running Windows XP SP3.

KB951847 failed to install at first, and I had to uninstall all .NET
Framework updates, then re-install & re-apply all. (I had to use the Dot Net
Clean-up tool to uninstall.)

I do not need to have a Windows Explorer window open to cause this (by
closing Control Panel). It happens whether I close with "File/Close" or the
corner 'X'. And, I can leave both Control Panel and Windows Explorer open
with no problems until I close one.

Sometimes, Dr. Watson also crashes. If that happens, I have to restart with
<alt><ctl><delete>. If only Windows Explorer crashes, I can continue to work,
as long as I wait for the desktop to refresh BEFORE ending the error
reporting dialog.

Event logs (from a combined crash) below. I sure hope someone can help!

Thanks in advance,
- Steve
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,
We seen this issue a lot and can be caused by many things, they are:
1- Bad application running in the background
2- BHO installed on your Browser causing the shell to crash
3- Security software installed or an old one removed and still some
remenants causing the crash!
4- Malware and virsues
5- Corrupt/damaged IE installation/Program
etc.....>>
Since you didn't mention your Browser IE? version and I can see you said you
installed SP3 I will take it you have IE7?

Try to narrow down the causers by starting the machine with clean boot per
the instructions provided by the MS KB provided in this post and try to check
two programs each time and start the machine and see if the Explorer will
carsh when you open CPL, does it help to find the causer?
How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" state
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
View products that this article applies to.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434


If it doesn't try these steps:
1... Click start >> Control Panel >> Double Click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options, on the IE Properties window
you will see these Options:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs
| Advanced .

Click on General Tab (1st Tab on the left) and you will see a Button called
[ Clear History ..] click on it to clear your History caches, then click on
[Delete Files..] to delete Internet Files created over the time, click on [
Delete Cookies...] to delete your cookies left by visiting websites.

Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
= Then try to Disable the Add-Ons on your Browser somehow installed on your
browser, On how to disable the Add-ons follow this:
Click on Programs Tab and then click the Manage Add-Ons Button there Disable
the None/Not Verified Plug-ins/Add-ons ( you need to Renable them one-by-one
later and see which is the culprit .
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256

install the free trial of Windows Live OneCare
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/technologies/onecare/default.mspx

Windows Defender detects and removes spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936213/
How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737

Open a Notepad and copy and paste these commands, then save on your desktop
as repair.bat then double click the icon for the batch file to execute and
Reboot your machine. Does it help?

If the above didn't help run the System file checker (SFC) from the Run
command:
sfc /scannow
HTH,
nass
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Nass -
OK, tried it with a clean boot; unfortunately, the problem still persists
even with (almost) nothing loaded.

Msconfig wouldn't let me turn off a few "Essential" services:
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- Remote Procedure Call Locator
- Remote Procedure Call

And, I exited (not just paused) Kaspersky. Still, the problem persists.

I'll try your remaining suggestions when I get a chance. Thanks again for
your help.
- Steve


 
Hi Steve,
Can you let us have your Event Viewer logs?
Open a Notepad, customize or minimize to the taskbar as you will need it
later for this step to copy the error message on it.
Open a run command and type in:
eventvwr.msc click [OK] you will get the Event viewer control Panel.
click on each of these:
Application
System
Security
Look in the right Pane/window for error message with red (X) or Yellow
exclamation mark /!\ , double click each one to get more info about the
causer.
On the Event error properties message you will see:
Up Arrow
Down arrow
Two pages
Click on the two pages to copy the error message then bring up the Notepad
you opened earlier and right click on the first line and select Paste from
the list, this will paste the error message on a Notepad.
Please don't duplicate the error message one of each kind will be sufficient.
HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

Download the Hijackthis and send the report to one of
many
forums for analysis and troubleshooting or you can send it to me on my email
provided at the bottom:
When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php)

Can you please send me a copy at (e-mail address removed) ,
remove
the obvious to email me.
HTH,
nass
 
Nass -
Thanks (will also send to you separately). I had included logs from an
Explorer and Dr. Watson crash in my first message; this time just
Explorer crashed. (Of course, I can send you logs from old events,
too.) And thanks for the "two page" tip - much easier than doing it
all manually last time!

There were two events in the Application logs (a 1000 and a 1001);
none in System and none in Security. Thanks again for all your help.
- Steve

Windows Explorer crash on close
===============================

Event Logs
==========

Application
===========

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1001
Date: 3/8/2009
Time: 11:58:04 AM
User: N/A
Computer: SKWORK2MA
Description:
Fault bucket 745630164.

For more information, see Help and Support Center

at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 42 75 63 6b 65 74 3a 20 Bucket:
0008: 37 34 35 36 33 30 31 36 74563016
0010: 34 0d 0a 4..

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 3/8/2009
Time: 11:58:01 AM
User: N/A
Computer: SKWORK2MA
Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, faulting
module

browseui.dll, version 6.0.2900.5512, fault address 0x00028833.

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 35 35 31 32 20 00.5512
0030: 69 6e 20 62 72 6f 77 73 in brows
0038: 65 75 69 2e 64 6c 6c 20 eui.dll
0040: 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 30 30 6.0.2900
0048: 2e 35 35 31 32 20 61 74 .5512 at
0050: 20 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 offset
0058: 30 30 30 32 38 38 33 33 00028833
0060: 0d 0a ..
 
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