Explorer.exe randomly crashes on Windows 2000

[Matthew]

For quite some time now, I've had a problem on Windows 2000 with
Explorer.exe crashing on a seemingly random basis for no apparent reason.
It usually happens right after I've successfully done some sort of file
operation, such as move or copy a file, delete a folder, etc. When Explorer
crashes, it usually also kills the desktop (as it also uses Explorer.exe),
and does something to screw-up my internet access. To recover from this, I
have to log out of Windows and log back in, as the (sometimes) automatic
restarting of Explorer does not fix the problem. If memory serves, this has
been happening since I started using Service Pack 3, and continues to be a
problem with Service Pack 4. I don't recall having the problem with Service
Pack 1 or Service Pack 2. Other than that, I haven't been able to isolate
any changes which could have contributed to this issue. The PC in question
is connected to a Windows NT domain network, and I regularly use a USB flash
drive with it.

I found a site which seems to describe the problem I'm having at
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-006, but unfortunately, it
proffers no solution. Is this a "known" issue (I haven't been able to find
any mention of it in the Microsoft Knowledge Base)? Does anybody know what
causes it, and what can be done about it other than waiting for Microsoft to
get a clue and fix it in Service Pack 5?

 

[Jason Hall [MSFT]]

--------------------

From: "Matthew" <[email protected]>
Subject: Explorer.exe randomly crashes on Windows 2000
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 16:50:07 +1200

For quite some time now, I've had a problem on Windows 2000 with
Explorer.exe crashing on a seemingly random basis for no apparent reason.
It usually happens right after I've successfully done some sort of file
operation, such as move or copy a file, delete a folder, etc. When Explorer
crashes, it usually also kills the desktop (as it also uses Explorer.exe),
and does something to screw-up my internet access. To recover from this, I
have to log out of Windows and log back in, as the (sometimes) automatic
restarting of Explorer does not fix the problem. If memory serves, this has
been happening since I started using Service Pack 3, and continues to be a
problem with Service Pack 4. I don't recall having the problem with Service
Pack 1 or Service Pack 2. Other than that, I haven't been able to isolate
any changes which could have contributed to this issue. The PC in question
is connected to a Windows NT domain network, and I regularly use a USB flash
drive with it.

I found a site which seems to describe the problem I'm having at
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article07-006, but unfortunately, it
proffers no solution. Is this a "known" issue (I haven't been able to find
any mention of it in the Microsoft Knowledge Base)? Does anybody know what
causes it, and what can be done about it other than waiting for Microsoft to
get a clue and fix it in Service Pack 5?

----------------------

One thing that is not very widely known is that explorer.exe and
iexplore.exe are very closey related. There may be some third-party browser
component that is loading up and causing problems.
To disable these:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Clear the checkbox for "Enable third-party browser extensions
(requires restart) found in Tools > Internet Options > Advanced

If this works, then you can proceed to delete the one(s) causing the problem
To delete them:
- Run Regedit
- Entries for browser extensions will be found in the below key.
Export and delete the suspect ones.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Extensions

This is a good initial step in troubleshooting. Post back if you still have
issues.

--
~~ JASON HALL ~~
~ Performance Support Specialist,
~ Microsoft Enterprise Platforms Support
~ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
~ Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm
~ Note: For the benefit of the community-at-large, all responses to this
message are best directed to the newsgroup/thread from which they
originated.

 

[Matthew]

--------------------
----------------------

One thing that is not very widely known is that explorer.exe and
iexplore.exe are very closey related. There may be some third-party browser
component that is loading up and causing problems.
To disable these:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Clear the checkbox for "Enable third-party browser extensions
(requires restart) found in Tools > Internet Options > Advanced

If this works, then you can proceed to delete the one(s) causing the problem
To delete them:
- Run Regedit
- Entries for browser extensions will be found in the below key.
Export and delete the suspect ones.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Extensions

This is a good initial step in troubleshooting. Post back if you still have
issues.

After reading your response, I turned off "Enable third-party browser
extensions" in IE's options, and the PC has been working fine... until now.
Explorer has just crashed again after I moved a bunch of files, requiring me
to log out and log back in again. Any other ideas?