Explorer.exe does not run

[Guest]

I recently updated my McAfee file through our company network. It appeared to
work with no errors, but when I rebooted I got the CTRL-ALT-DEL window and
logged in as I usually do. The desktop background appears but I never get any
icons or toolbars. In Task Manager, explorer.exe is not running. I have tried
starting EXPLORER.EXE manually through task manager, but it shows the process
running (with no change on the desktop) for about 60 seconds, then disappears
from the processes list. This happens from my desktop, another users desktop
and the administrator desktop on this PC. I am running XP (SP2, I believe).

 

[Guest]

interesting.
Have you tried to do a boot from "Last Known Good Configuration"?

Start up the computer then Press F8 just after the first beep of your
computer - you will be presented with a choice of menus and select Last Known
Good Configuration.

Failing this, have you tried to extract the explorer.exe file from the
Windows CD ROM?

Boot up the CD and go into Recovery console.

Once booted into it and logged in, simply type:

expand cdromDrive:\I386\explorer.ex_ hardDriveLetter:\Windows\

replace the above appropriate drive letters

if this also fails, then i guess that you would have to do a repair install
but i do not think you need to go this far.

Please do each step bit by bit and get back with the results.

 

[Guest]

Ahmed --

Thanks for the response. Sometimes you're so focused on some things you
forget the simple.

I had not tried "Restore from Last Known Good Configuration". However, and
unfortunately, that did not work. It did reveal something that I had forgot.
When I originally installed the McAfee updates and shutdown, during the
shutdown process I did get an error -- vstskmar - application error, with
"memory address" errors (I wasn't quick enough to get the whole error).

I'm not sure if that was indicative of the coming failure, but I'd thought
I'd mention it.

I had also tried your other suggestion - copying the explorer.exe from the
SP2 disk (expanding it, that is). No change.

A little more info -- each login I use does recognize the individual
passwords and each displays its own desktop background, so it is loading the
correct profiles.

My next step is to try a Windows repair -- that won't happen until tomorrow
when my LAN admin brings me the CD. Any other suggestions are welcome
beforehand, though. Thanks.