Explorer has caused an error in <unknown>.

[Dale S]

I have been having a problem with Explorer (IExplorer ?)
for a couple months. Often when shutting down the browser
window (IE)an error box appears that reads, "Explorer
caused an error in <unknown>." Clicking on the OK button
has no effect. The message remains. Clicking the X to
close the box has no effect either. At that point I have
no choice but to reboot the computer, but even that
becomes becomes difficult and sometimes does not respond
to START Restart, even CNTRL+ALT+DEL sometimes will not
work and I have to press the power button to reboot the
computer. This error is not listed in the Microsoft
Knowledge base. I have up to date antivirus software,
Spybot, and have run CW shredder with nothing found. I
tried reloading IE from the original CD, all with no
effects.
I did notice it occuring less frequently with a recent
critical Microsoft update but it still occurs.

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,
Add Ad-aware to the toolbox. See http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Next...
If not caused by malware, consider disabling (for diagnostic purposes)
legitimate programs running in the background which might be interacting
with IE- security, antivirus, ad-blockers, toolbars & other add-ons, etc.
You may have to uninstall then reinstall, or not reinstall, a program.

Posting a HijackThis log for analysis may turn up malware which the spyware
removal programs didn't find.
See: http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

Hope this helps,
Don

 

[H Leboeuf]

Clean your computer of all parasites.

Try this: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Browsing
Uncheck the Enable 3rd party browser extensions

If this clears your problem then find out who the culprit(s) is/are with
these tools.

Let AD-Aware Scan your system for advertising Spyware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

If you use a HOSTS file, beware of this new issue.
Ad-Aware has decided to include a new detection when scanning the HOSTS
file. This now creates a "Bad hosts file entry" in the log file generated at
the end of a scan. The best thing to do is to place a check in each entry,
right-click and select: "Add selection to ignorelist". Otherwise if you let
AWW "fix" these items it will trash the HOSTS file! Even if you have it
"locked" by [example] SpywareBlaster or Winpatrol. It does not return the
attributes and renames the HOSTS file incorrectly to hosts.

and:

SpyBot-S&D
http://security.kolla.de/

p.s Reset the 3rd party browser setting.

More: This may be caused by a third-party program (adware, spyware,
parasite).
Get AdAware and SpyBot and run them both. Keep them up to date.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Additional link:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

You will need this removal tool also.
More: Complete list by variant with up-to-date information.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
More: Removal tool: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

CWShredder - Tutorial
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=47

IMPORTANT:
Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware may kill your internet connection when it is
removed, this program will enable you to regain your connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html (if your OS is Win2k or
XP)


Important: "So how did I get infected in the first place?"
http://forums.net-integration.net/index.php?showtopic=3051