Explorer shell won't start

[Stijn Verrept]

I have a very odd problem on which I can't find any information.

I got windows xp, with all fixes and service packs installed. My pc
boots normally, I get a login screen (in high resolution), when I login
it just doesn't start the explorer shell, I get a blank page. When I
check task manager, everything is running as it should, but no
explorer.exe in the list. I can run every other program without
problems (I'm typing this msg in my newsreader atm).

When I run an explorer.exe it appear only very briefly (I see the bar
at the bottom for a split second) and then stops without any notice.
Nothing in the event log either.


I tried:

- safe mode
- Last known good
- Manually remove the last hotfixes
- Running an explorer.exe from another pc which had the same fixes.

Anyone ever seen something like this or know the solution?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Stijn,

Does it do this in all user profiles, or just yours?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Stijn Verrept]

Hi Stijn,

Does it do this in all user profiles, or just yours?

Unfortunately in all. I tried loging in with other but get the same
problem.

 

[Peter Foldes]

Maybe a possibility if you have error messages shut off

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q314867

 

[Stijn Verrept]

Maybe a possibility if you have error messages shut off

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q314867

Thanks for the reply, tried it but no result. Explorer.exe doesn't
appear in process list and when I start it, it stops immediatly.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

And does it do it in Safe mode as well? If it doesn't, then my suspicion
would that you have some malware or spyware installed, and removing or
blocking it would be the first steps.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Stijn Verrept]

And does it do it in Safe mode as well? If it doesn't, then my
suspicion would that you have some malware or spyware installed, and
removing or blocking it would be the first steps.

No safe mode gives exactly the same results.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Stijn,

I would boot with a BartPE build including plugins for AdAwareII and
Stinger, and scan the system for spyware. If you're not quite at that level,
then your best bet may be a repair installation.

Bart PE:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Repair installation:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[T. Waters]

I have a very odd problem on which I can't find any information.

I got windows xp, with all fixes and service packs installed. My pc
boots normally, I get a login screen (in high resolution), when I
login it just doesn't start the explorer shell, I get a blank page.
When I check task manager, everything is running as it should, but no
explorer.exe in the list. I can run every other program without
problems (I'm typing this msg in my newsreader atm).

When I run an explorer.exe it appear only very briefly (I see the bar
at the bottom for a split second) and then stops without any notice.
Nothing in the event log either.


I tried:

- safe mode
- Last known good
- Manually remove the last hotfixes
- Running an explorer.exe from another pc which had the same fixes.

Anyone ever seen something like this or know the solution?

Is this problem of recent origin?
Might try a System Restore.

 

[Quill]

Same here!

Exactly the same problem here. Tried the other solutions listed plus a repair install. will resort to a clean install next I suppose. :-(

in my case, I can't get internet access either. but I have the same symptoms: explorer won't run. system boots into wallpaper only, same on every user account. the start/taskbar flashes for a split second and then goes away. all apps except control panel, explorer and IE will launch from the task manager.

I run adaware, S&D and McAfee enterprise with current updates...my only theory is somehow the register is corrupted.

Hope someone has a better option in the next few hours.
Thanks.