Problems with Windows Explorer

[Mike Klaiber]

For some unaccountable reason an error seems to have occurred with Windows
Explorer.



On trying to open folders on my Desktop, there is a few seconds delay, all
desktop icons disappear and then re-appear without opening the folder. When
trying to open Explorer from the shortcut also sitting on my desktop, I get
the error message "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library. Buffer underrun
detected. Program C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe. A buffer underrun has been
detected which has corrupted the programs internal state. The program cannot
safely continue execution and must now be terminated." Program shortcuts
seem to open OK.



I have tried to go back using system restore but restoration fails using
several different restore points. I guess this is all part of the same
problem.



This has occurred without any obvious system changes on my part or following
any program installation. I am running XP Pro.



Can anyone assist with diagnosis of this problem and a possible solution ?

_________________________________

 

[Don Taylor]

For some unaccountable reason an error seems to have occurred with Windows
Explorer.

You and an army of other people

On trying to open folders on my Desktop, there is a few seconds delay, all
desktop icons disappear and then re-appear without opening the folder. When
trying to open Explorer from the shortcut also sitting on my desktop, I get
the error message "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library. Buffer underrun
detected. Program C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe. A buffer underrun has been
detected which has corrupted the programs internal state. The program cannot
safely continue execution and must now be terminated." Program shortcuts
seem to open OK.

That is Windows Explorer crashing and being automatically restarted.
You are doing a little better than most, usually it doesn't even
give any clue why it crashed.

I have tried to go back using system restore but restoration fails using
several different restore points. I guess this is all part of the same
problem.

This has occurred without any obvious system changes on my part or following
any program installation. I am running XP Pro.

Can anyone assist with diagnosis of this problem and a possible solution ?

There will be people who will blame everything on spyware and viruses.
Perhaps doesn't hurt but don't bet on finding that to be a solution.

It is possible that downloading shellexview might give a hint.
Windows uses 50, or sometimes even 100's, of little programs that
are hidden from normal view. Many of those are what make the desktop
appear like it is. Recent changes in windows seems to have broken
some or many of those, maybe they had been working for years, maybe
they are new. Shellexview will show you a vast long list of the
things that are furiously busy in the background. It will also let
you disable those, one at a time if you have the patience for it,
try the desktop to see if Windows Explorer doesn't crash, and then
re-enable them if they aren't the problem.

Search old postings using google->groups->advanced search and look
for "shellexview" in the newsgroup. You should find a number of
descriptions. Read those and see if the advice sounds plausible,
the directions understandable, etc.

I hope it works for you

 

[Mike Klaiber]

Thanks Don. I'll try as you suggest. One thing that did occur to me was that
if something was "broken", I might be able to fix it by re-install over the
top. Any thoughts ?
I'm not sure I have the stomach for re-formatting which I only did about a
month ago.

Regards.

Mike
_________________________________
| >For some unaccountable reason an error seems to have occurred with
Windows
| >Explorer.
|
| You and an army of other people
|
| >On trying to open folders on my Desktop, there is a few seconds delay,
all
| >desktop icons disappear and then re-appear without opening the folder.
When
| >trying to open Explorer from the shortcut also sitting on my desktop, I
get
| >the error message "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library. Buffer underrun
| >detected. Program C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe. A buffer underrun has been
| >detected which has corrupted the programs internal state. The program
cannot
| >safely continue execution and must now be terminated." Program shortcuts
| >seem to open OK.
|
| That is Windows Explorer crashing and being automatically restarted.
| You are doing a little better than most, usually it doesn't even
| give any clue why it crashed.
|
| >I have tried to go back using system restore but restoration fails using
| >several different restore points. I guess this is all part of the same
| >problem.
|
| >This has occurred without any obvious system changes on my part or
following
| >any program installation. I am running XP Pro.
|
| >Can anyone assist with diagnosis of this problem and a possible solution
?
|
| There will be people who will blame everything on spyware and viruses.
| Perhaps doesn't hurt but don't bet on finding that to be a solution.
|
| It is possible that downloading shellexview might give a hint.
| Windows uses 50, or sometimes even 100's, of little programs that
| are hidden from normal view. Many of those are what make the desktop
| appear like it is. Recent changes in windows seems to have broken
| some or many of those, maybe they had been working for years, maybe
| they are new. Shellexview will show you a vast long list of the
| things that are furiously busy in the background. It will also let
| you disable those, one at a time if you have the patience for it,
| try the desktop to see if Windows Explorer doesn't crash, and then
| re-enable them if they aren't the problem.
|
| Search old postings using google->groups->advanced search and look
| for "shellexview" in the newsgroup. You should find a number of
| descriptions. Read those and see if the advice sounds plausible,
| the directions understandable, etc.
|
| I hope it works for you

 

[Don Taylor]

Thanks Don. I'll try as you suggest. One thing that did occur to me was that
if something was "broken", I might be able to fix it by re-install over the
top. Any thoughts ?

There is some chance you might get lucky and be able to find the cause
without having to just blow everything away and start over. But there
is no guarantee and little to help point you at the cause of the problem
or be certain that really was it.

I'm not sure I have the stomach for re-formatting which I only did about a
month ago.

I can certainly understand. My apologies for what they call trusted software.