explorer.exe does not load properly

[Lafe Fredbjornson]

When I start Windows, no start menu, taskbar or desktop
icons appear. I run Task Manager and see that explorer.exe
is running. To get past this, I must end the explorer.exe
task and then run it again to have my shell appear.

I've tried re-installing XP, but the issue remains.
I have no earlier restore points to go back to.

Any idea why explorer.exe is not loading properly the
first time?

Is there a way to re-install explorer.exe so it works
properly?

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

Line 195 (right column) "Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar"
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Install the fix, then reboot your computer. Please post back to say if it
worked or not.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, the fix did not work. explorer.exe is still failing
to load properly.

I ran a virus checker and nothing was found.
I removed lots of spyware with Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D,
but that's fairly normal.

I tried renaming explorer.exe, but XP created a new one
when it booted dated Monday, March 31, 2003, 5:00:00 AM.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings, Please post back if this helps or not.

There is a very good chance this is being caused by a virus.

Reboot Windows XP into Safe Mode
--How to start Windows XP in Safe mode--
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039

1) Goto Start>>Run>>Type "regedit"
2) Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and delete
"Explorer %SYSTEM%\Explorer.exe"
3) Reboot your PC as normal.

If that doesnt work...

Reboot Windows XP into Safe Mode
--How to start Windows XP in Safe mode--
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039

1) Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Search in the
System32 directory for "explore.exe" or "explorer.exe" If the file exists
delete it.
2) Goto http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and scan your either system for
virus.
3) Reboot your PC.

NOTE: Do NOT delete "explorer.exe" from your C:\Windows directory!

You may try the following if you don't boot into Safe Mode.

1) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2) Goto the Applications Tab
3) Click New Task...
4) Type "C:\Windows\explorer.exe", hit Enter
5) Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Search in the
System32 directory for "explore.exe" or "explorer.exe" If the file exists
delete it.

NOTE: Do NOT delete "explorer.exe" from your C:\Windows directory!

Also try a virus scan to clean things up.
1) Open Internet Explorer
2) Goto http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and scan your either system for
virus.
3) Reboot your PC and see if you now have a desktop.

If that doesnt work goto...
Line 195 "Restore Desktop Icons and Taskbar"
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Run the VBS script and then reboot your PC.

---If none of the above help i would suggest trying a repair install of
Windows XP.---

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

----More Help for No Desktop/No Taskbar----

W32.Aplore Removal Information
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.HLLP.Handy Removal Information (P.S. Written in Delphi!, interesting)
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.hllp.handy.html

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q318027

 

[Gary]

I have the same problem but intermittently. If I reboot 3 or 4 times,
the desktop shows up with icons and works properly.