Explorer.exe replaced

[Alan C]

Problem: xp boots past the login screen, but doesn't display any icons,
taskbar or start button. On ctrl/alt/del and task manager - new task, I can
run some apps. If I try to run explorer.exe I get 'cannot find....path not
found...etc'.

If I run cmd prompt, I can change to c:\windows and dir for explorer - it's
there but size is 1008640 bytes. I rename it to .old and run sfc which puts
explorer.exe back - size 1004032 bytes. Now new task - explorer.exe loads
my desktop icons, taskbar, and everything else. This is fine until I
reboot, and then the problem recurs. Each time explorer.exe is replaced
with the bigger file.

I have run latest av, spybot, adaware, etc and deleted a load of nasties,
which I am sure caused the problem in the first place, but may have left
some residue.

Any ideas as to which malware, reg values, etc are responsible? or any other
suggestions?

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[Theguy]

whenever your computer restarts the dllcache will replace the file with
its version try running the following commands from file > new task

sfc /purgecache
then when the black screen vanishs go to file > new task
sfc /scannow
note: this will require the XP CD

 

[Jon]

How did the suggestions made 3 months ago help?

http://www.hardwaresoftwarearticles.com/archive/index.php/t-16702.html

http://www.hardwaresoftwarearticles.com/archive/index.php/t-17050.html

Jon

 

[Alan C]

The suggestions made 3 months ago didn't work, and the only cure was a new
hdd and clean install of XP.

This has now happened on a different pc at a different location, so I was
hoping that someone out there now could point the finger at the culprit, and
maybe a fix/cure so that I don't have to repeat the total reinstall again.

 

[Alan C]

Sorry, but tried that - no change.

 

[Jon]

Have a look at the recent software you've installed on the machine,
including any windows updates (check you are installing the correct
updates) to see if that provides any clues.

Jon

 

[Theguy]

well then try this:
when you manually repair explorer.exe also replace the one in the
dllcache folder
and if that does not work try doing it from safe mode.

 

[Alan C]

Jon,

No new software (that we are aware of - sneaky malware excepted) and the
only updates are automatic and the same as other pc's on the same site.

 

[Alan C]

I'll try this later today and post the result.