Iexplorer and Windows Explorer will not open

[goplayoutside]

Hi,

A friend's computer will not open Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer.
There is no error message. The hourglass comes up, then disappears. He is
running XP, but I don't know if it is home version or professional. I think
it has SP2 on it. The machine is probably 8 years old.

It was working fine, then he turned it off for a week. The machine loaded
some MacAfee and Windows Updates when he turned it on. Will a system restore
work?

I had him go to: Start - Run then typing in - 'iexplore about:blank' He
got a message that iexplore could not be found or something like that.

I also tried opening internet explorer without add-ons, going to Start - All
Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Internet Explorer (No Add-ons), but
the option for No Add-ons was not there. He only had Internet Explorer in
there and it did not open.

I tried to search for the ie.inf file using Start - Search, but the search
window did not open.

I tried to Open Windows Explorer from Start - All Programs - Accessories -
Windows Explorer, but it did not open and no error message. I also tried the
keyboard command of "Windows+E" with the same result.

His Outlook Express is still woking and he is able to get his messages off
the Internet Service Provider's Server.

He called his ISP and they had him run something that asked for the XP Home
Edition CD. He got the machine from a friend and does not have the CD. I
have a Windows Professional XP CD. Will the professional one work?

Sorry for the lengthy post. I know enough not to play with the registry or
rename files randomly.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Wendy

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

System Restore is the best first try.
HOW TO Start System Restore Tool from Command Prompt (Q304449):
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q304/4/49.asp
If no help. a "Repair" setup, using a Home edition CD is next:
315341 - How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation or Repair) of
Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341
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Mark L. Ferguson
..

 

[goplayoutside]

Thank you so much Mark for your suggestions. I don't have a Home Edition of
XP, can I use a professional version?

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

No, won't run. You can buy a replacement CD for a few bucks, if the product
Key allows it. If an "-OEM-" is in the Product Key, they will need the
reinstall disks from the system maker.
REPLACEMENT MS CDs - 800-360-7561
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[goplayoutside]

I finally got a chance to sit down with his machine and was able to open
Internet Explorer without add-ons. It opened. I disabled a bunch of
unsigned add-ons and anything to do with yahoo and his Internet explorer is
working again.

I didn't mess with the Windows Explorer since he doesn't use it.

Thanks for you help.