Explorer process gets killed instantly, so no shell (no taskbar ...)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roeland
  • Start date Start date
R

Roeland

Dear MVP's

Let me tell you what I've done and discovered till now (FYI, I'm a
professional IT-er with 15 year experience, but I'm really baffled by
this one)


Explorer process gets killed a few miliseconds after it has been
initiated, without a message.
As a result explorer as shell doesn't show up, hence only your
wallpaper to show up after a normal logon (No taskbar, no startmenu, no

desktop icons, no systray, nothing but a wallpaper)
Not one program in the startup folder, nor HKlocalmachine/run nor
HKCurrentUser/run entries gets called.Services run fine.
Eventlog (application/system/security) has no disturbing items in it
The shell entry in the registry is OK
Booting in safe mode gives no changes
Creating a new account gives no changes
Taskmanager works (thanks heaven for that)
Nearly all programs can be started without a problem using the
taskmanager, with the very specific exception of IExplore (internet
explorer)
However an alternative browser Netcaptor (based on IExplore) works
fine. Through this browser I can browse the computer (and the internet,

network connection is OK)
Control Panel Items can't be opened (*.cpl). I guess they depend on
explorer, however, microsoft management console works (for example for
computer or disk management).
Checked all processes running (including services), all were to be
trusted (mostly OS-related). At a certain moment I've killed all non
OS-vital processes, still no change.
All nessecary Dll's are present and registered.
Multiple antivirus and antispyware runs (all trusted ones, don't worry,

eg Windows Defender, Adaware, Giant antiSpyware (purchased), Norton AV,

Trend Micro online scan ) give no result.
Autoexec.bat, config.sys, win.ini and other 'startup'-files are
completely checked and verified
One thing I still have to do (but can't right now because of a broken
Windows XP CD) is a System File Check (SFC /scannow).
My best guess (since all other options I can think of are not valid) is

that some file (like a dll) that's being used by explorer.exe is
corrupted. (hence I wanna run SFC)


If anyone has the same experiences (read 'troubles') and found the
solution, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'm sure some superior being will reward
you for this !
PS. Clean Reinstalling my system is not really a solution, in my humble

opinion. Asking for Hijackthis-roll-outs neither.


Kind regards,


Roeland
 
Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318027

Start Menu and Windows Task Bar Are Missing After You Upgrade to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;818150

164. Restore Taskbar to Default Functionality
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Since you have 15 year experience, I won't include this one.

In Windows, why do my Start button and Taskbar seem to be missing?
http://kb.indiana.edu/data/abhv.html?cust=838017.91984.30

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Wesley,

Thanks for your response.

but ...
Your first link refers to KB from MS where there is stated that the
taskbar DOES appear when starten in safe mode. that's not my case
Your second link refers to a KB item concerning an upgrade to XP. I
have XP already 3 years installed on this laptop.
Your third link refers to Kellys Korner. Sorry but already tried those
regs as a first resource, they don't work.way

Don't misunderstand me, I realy realy realy appreciate your help, but
it didn't help.

Thanks anyway. Wish there were more like you (helping the helpless)

kind regards, roeland
 
So what happens when you log on with a different account?

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Already tried that.

No change at all. All that has to happen after one logs in doesn't
happen. Administrator, safe mode, new account, all the same. It's not
user linked.
Funny thing is, I'm not alone (not any help to me, but hey, makes me
feel better). I read exactly the same complaints from other users. On
the other hand, it's not that wide spread to call it a virus or malware
situation. Shoot me, I really don't know. Any help is welcome.

Kind regards,

Roeland
 
Roeland said:
Dear MVP's

Let me tell you what I've done and discovered till now (FYI, I'm a
professional IT-er with 15 year experience, but I'm really baffled by
this one)


Explorer process gets killed a few miliseconds after it has been
initiated, without a message.
As a result explorer as shell doesn't show up, hence only your
wallpaper to show up after a normal logon (No taskbar, no startmenu, no

desktop icons, no systray, nothing but a wallpaper)
Not one program in the startup folder, nor HKlocalmachine/run nor
HKCurrentUser/run entries gets called.Services run fine.
Eventlog (application/system/security) has no disturbing items in it
The shell entry in the registry is OK
Booting in safe mode gives no changes
Creating a new account gives no changes
Taskmanager works (thanks heaven for that)
Nearly all programs can be started without a problem using the
taskmanager, with the very specific exception of IExplore (internet
explorer)
However an alternative browser Netcaptor (based on IExplore) works
fine. Through this browser I can browse the computer (and the internet,

network connection is OK)
Control Panel Items can't be opened (*.cpl). I guess they depend on
explorer, however, microsoft management console works (for example for
computer or disk management).
Checked all processes running (including services), all were to be
trusted (mostly OS-related). At a certain moment I've killed all non
OS-vital processes, still no change.
All nessecary Dll's are present and registered.
Multiple antivirus and antispyware runs (all trusted ones, don't worry,

eg Windows Defender, Adaware, Giant antiSpyware (purchased), Norton AV,

Trend Micro online scan ) give no result.
Autoexec.bat, config.sys, win.ini and other 'startup'-files are
completely checked and verified
One thing I still have to do (but can't right now because of a broken
Windows XP CD) is a System File Check (SFC /scannow).
My best guess (since all other options I can think of are not valid) is

that some file (like a dll) that's being used by explorer.exe is
corrupted. (hence I wanna run SFC)


If anyone has the same experiences (read 'troubles') and found the
solution, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I'm sure some superior being will reward
you for this !
PS. Clean Reinstalling my system is not really a solution, in my humble

opinion. Asking for Hijackthis-roll-outs neither.


Kind regards,


Roeland
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