explorer

[hook.steven]

Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and Symantec
AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start
bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've had it
before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there, but this
time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes accross the
bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven

 

[Guest]

Have you uninstalled/reinstalled the motherboard/chipset drivers and the
video drivers? Also, did you check for viruses?

 

[hook.steven]

Have you uninstalled/reinstalled the motherboard/chipset drivers and the
video drivers? Also, did you check for viruses?

Clean, virus free machine (according to symantec and avg) I haven't
tried reinstalling the chipset drivers, will do that when I get to work
in the morning.
Thanks man
Steven

 

[Rock]

Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and Symantec
AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start
bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've had it
before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there, but this
time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes accross the
bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven

Was it working after SP2 but before Symantec?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You have a virus or other malware.

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry Editor or
Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom is caused by
Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm


UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[hook.steven]

Was it working after SP2 but before Symantec?

Installed Symantec, then SP2, then rebooted and it didn't work.
Symantec didn't ask for a reboot.

 

[hook.steven]

You have a virus or other malware.

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry Editor or
Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom is caused by
Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm


UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and Symantec
AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start
bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've had it
before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there, but this
time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes accross the
bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven

AVG and Symantec are both up to date (3 Sept 2006 - last time it's
network connection worked) and return clean scans, msconfig,
taskmanager and regedit open fine, it's just explorer.exe that exits
immediately. this is the same in normal mode and safe mode.
is there a list of the processes windows runs when starting up that I
can go through and see which one it fails on?
Steven

 

[Rock]

Installed Symantec, then SP2, then rebooted and it didn't work.
Symantec didn't ask for a reboot.

I don't know what caused the problem. Maybe there was malware on the
system, or maybe the Symantec program caused the problem. Was the AV
program running when you did the SP2 update?

There are several options here. One is to remove Symantec, remove the
SP2 upgrade then redo it.

How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if
the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875355

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875350

Another is to create an installation CD slipstreamed with SP2 and do a
repair install.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://unattended.msfn.org/beginner/slipstream.htm

Autostreamer
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

A third option is to do a clean install with a slipstreamed XP with SP2
installation CD.

 

[hook.steven]

I don't know what caused the problem. Maybe there was malware on the
system, or maybe the Symantec program caused the problem. Was the AV
program running when you did the SP2 update?

Yes, Symantec was installed before the SP

There are several options here. One is to remove Symantec, remove the
SP2 upgrade then redo it.

How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if
the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875355

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875350

Another is to create an installation CD slipstreamed with SP2 and do a
repair install.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://unattended.msfn.org/beginner/slipstream.htm

Autostreamer
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

A third option is to do a clean install with a slipstreamed XP with SP2
installation CD.

I removed Symantec using appwiz.cpl and did a repair install of XP
using my own XP SP2 CD, his produck key didn't work, I had to use my
own, but when the install finnished it was still the same.
Do you know if the repair install replaces all the files there or if it
just checks for missing files and adds them?
Thanks so much for the advice so far!
Steven

 

[Wesley Vogel]

AVG and Symantec are both up to date

Why do you have two antivirus applications?

Dump Symantec and keep AVG. Of course reinstalling Windows is easier then
trying to get rid Symantec.

task manager flashes accross the bottom and then goes away.

taskmanager and regedit open fine, it's just explorer.exe that exits

immediately.

I have just reread both of your posts.

Which is it taskmgr.exe flashes and quits or explorer.exe flashes and quits?

and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start bar

If not hidden...

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

Usually a corrupted profile.

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

Also here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
164. Restore Taskbar to Default Functionality

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

You have a virus or other malware.

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry Editor
or Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom is
caused by Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm


UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and
anti-spyware software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode
can be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal
themselves in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will
prevent those applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or
other malware allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and Symantec
AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start
bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've had it
before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there, but this
time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes accross the
bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven

AVG and Symantec are both up to date (3 Sept 2006 - last time it's
network connection worked) and return clean scans, msconfig,
taskmanager and regedit open fine, it's just explorer.exe that exits
immediately. this is the same in normal mode and safe mode.
is there a list of the processes windows runs when starting up that I
can go through and see which one it fails on?
Steven

 

[Rock]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:



I don't know what caused the problem. Maybe there was malware on the
system, or maybe the Symantec program caused the problem. Was the AV
program running when you did the SP2 update?

Yes, Symantec was installed before the SP

There are several options here. One is to remove Symantec, remove the
SP2 upgrade then redo it.

How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if
the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875355

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875350

Another is to create an installation CD slipstreamed with SP2 and do a
repair install.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://unattended.msfn.org/beginner/slipstream.htm

Autostreamer
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

A third option is to do a clean install with a slipstreamed XP with SP2
installation CD.

I removed Symantec using appwiz.cpl and did a repair install of XP
using my own XP SP2 CD, his produck key didn't work, I had to use my
own, but when the install finnished it was still the same.
Do you know if the repair install replaces all the files there or if it
just checks for missing files and adds them?
Thanks so much for the advice so far!
Steven

I believe it replaces.

 

[hook.steven]

Why do you have two antivirus applications?

Dump Symantec and keep AVG. Of course reinstalling Windows is easier then
trying to get rid Symantec.

Symantec is gone.

immediately.

I have just reread both of your posts.

Which is it taskmgr.exe flashes and quits or explorer.exe flashes and quits?

Sorry, I should have said taksbar, in the first instance, the taskbar

If not hidden...

They aren't hidden, they're not there at all, explorer.exe isn't
running.

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

Usually a corrupted profile.

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

Also here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
164. Restore Taskbar to Default Functionality

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

this problem exists in normal mode, safemode and logged in as
different users. I again did a repair install after removing symantec,
but it's still not workin.
Is there a way to see the event log from a "run" box?

In

You have a virus or other malware.

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry Editor
or Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom is
caused by Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm


UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and
anti-spyware software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode
can be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal
themselves in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will
prevent those applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or
other malware allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In (e-mail address removed) <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and Symantec
AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start
bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've had it
before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there, but this
time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes accross the
bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven

AVG and Symantec are both up to date (3 Sept 2006 - last time it's
network connection worked) and return clean scans, msconfig,
taskmanager and regedit open fine, it's just explorer.exe that exits
immediately. this is the same in normal mode and safe mode.
is there a list of the processes windows runs when starting up that I
can go through and see which one it fails on?
Steven

 

[hook.steven]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:


Rock wrote:


(e-mail address removed) wrote:



Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and Symantec
AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons, no start
bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've had it
before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there, but this
time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes accross the
bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven


Was it working after SP2 but before Symantec?

--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User


Installed Symantec, then SP2, then rebooted and it didn't work.
Symantec didn't ask for a reboot.


I don't know what caused the problem. Maybe there was malware on the
system, or maybe the Symantec program caused the problem. Was the AV
program running when you did the SP2 update?

Yes, Symantec was installed before the SP

There are several options here. One is to remove Symantec, remove the
SP2 upgrade then redo it.

How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if
the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875355

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 2 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=875350

Another is to create an installation CD slipstreamed with SP2 and do a
repair install.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp2_cd.htm
http://unattended.msfn.org/beginner/slipstream.htm

Autostreamer
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=223562

A third option is to do a clean install with a slipstreamed XP with SP2
installation CD.

I removed Symantec using appwiz.cpl and did a repair install of XP
using my own XP SP2 CD, his produck key didn't work, I had to use my
own, but when the install finnished it was still the same.
Do you know if the repair install replaces all the files there or if it
just checks for missing files and adds them?
Thanks so much for the advice so far!
Steven

I believe it replaces.

I guess a format and reinstall might be in order after all. :-(

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Is there a way to see the event log from a "run" box?

Type: eventvwr

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

[[To use the VBS Files: Download .vbs file and save it to your hard drive
(you may want to right click and use Save Target As). Double click the vbs
file. You will be prompted when the script is done. ]]

See Taskbar Repair Tool Plus! and other items here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_t.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

Why do you have two antivirus applications?

Dump Symantec and keep AVG. Of course reinstalling Windows is easier
then trying to get rid Symantec.

Symantec is gone.

I have just reread both of your posts.

Which is it taskmgr.exe flashes and quits or explorer.exe flashes and
quits?

Sorry, I should have said taksbar, in the first instance, the taskbar

If not hidden...

They aren't hidden, they're not there at all, explorer.exe isn't
running.

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

Usually a corrupted profile.

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

Also here...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
164. Restore Taskbar to Default Functionality

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

this problem exists in normal mode, safemode and logged in as
different users. I again did a repair install after removing symantec,
but it's still not workin.
Is there a way to see the event log from a "run" box?

In

Wesley Vogel wrote:
You have a virus or other malware.

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry
Editor or Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom
is caused by Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm


UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and
anti-spyware software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode
can be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal
themselves in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will
prevent those applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses
or other malware allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In (e-mail address removed) <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Hey,
A friend of mine was having trouble with his pc, display drivers were
doing unexpected things and I just couldn't get it right. So I did a
repair intall of XP (sp1 incl) and then it worked really well, so I
installed SP2 from my standard download that I always use, and
Symantec AV, and when I reboot it just shows the desktop, no icons,
no start bar, I can open task manager, <shift><ctrl><esc>, now I've
had it before that you can manually start explorer.exe from there,
but this time, when you start it it opens, the task manager flashes
accross the bottom and then goes away.
Any Ideas or tips of clues?
I'd really appreciate it, the machine was at long last set up so well!
I don't want to start again from scratch!
Steven

AVG and Symantec are both up to date (3 Sept 2006 - last time it's
network connection worked) and return clean scans, msconfig,
taskmanager and regedit open fine, it's just explorer.exe that exits
immediately. this is the same in normal mode and safe mode.
is there a list of the processes windows runs when starting up that I
can go through and see which one it fails on?
Steven