Second Post, Why startup error message?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Howard H
  • Start date Start date
H

Howard H

Since my regular MS software update last night (06/27/06), I have been
getting the following error when I cold start my machine:

'Windows Explorer has encountered problems and needs to close.'

It then provides a reference file ????_appcompat.txt I get a different
ref file name each time; but each refers to _appcompat.txt

When I check for more 'info' on the error, I find these references:

AppName:explorer.exe AppVer6.0.2900.2180 ModName ntdll.dll
ModVer 5.1.2600.2180 Offset 0002ae22

The machine runs on OS = XP Pro Sp2 build 2600 with 2M RAM
This error occurs only on a cold start or first log-on of the day.

What's causing this and how do I fix it?
Thanks,
Howard
 
I was curious, so i did a search for that appcompat.txt There was a lot of
complaints about it, but no real solutions. Evidently, that txt file is not
the problem, but is recording the problem. When you say that it occurs
only once per day and it involves the ie6 browser, it sounds like to me that
maybe its something like a notification going out. MSMoney updates its
file on a dialy basis using the net.

Also, the WGANotification program by Microsoft has been charged with being
spyware. Apparently, it sends Microsoft a notification on a daily basis
regarding the legitimacy of the users Windows program. However, the
WGA alone is not a problem (unless you have a conterfiet copy of Windows).
Also, there could be something in your msconfig that is starting up upon
login. Many downloads now put something or another inthere for updates,
internet checks, registration, etc,.... (very annoying, they are).

I suggest you try a couple of things:

First, remove the WGANotification from your system. I am sure that
everyone in the world that has used microsoft updates had this automatically
installed. The free remover and news about this can be found at a website
called BetaNews - http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/RemoveWGA/1151081362/1

Secondly, after you are rebooted and logged in disable all your startups in
msconfig. Go to run > msconfig > startups > disable all, check the other
tabs and review and or remove any files starting up via the autoexec.bat and
config.sys, then reboot. Note that you may inadverdently disable your
antiviruls. But at this time, it shouldn't be a problem since you are going
to dedicate your machine to repairing the problem instead of browsing unknown
sites at this time. Later you can enable the antiviruls.

Thirdly, go to microsoft.com and download and install "defender",
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx See
what happens upon your next boot. Did you know that you can open the task
manager and end the explorer.exe process? Then you can launch explorer.exe
via the applications tab or from the run window. Have you done a registry
repair lately? Some say that it is not necessary. But i have found improved
performance when i clean, optimize and defrag the registry.......... I
alternate the ones I use, but you can download CCleaner from
www.FileHippo.com , if you are new to this concept -
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Before you commence any of the above, go ahead and do a manual restore
point. It won't hurt to have a little insurance.
 
Ben,
First, Thanks. I removed WGANotification software from the machine.
This morning when we started the system; there was no error. I didn't
do any speed testing; but get the sense that the startup was quicker and
that other applications startup more quickly. :-) We'll see how things
progress. Thanks again.
Howard
 
Hey Ben,
Just a quick follow-up. This morning when we started our machine; we
again got the same error message ('Windows Explorer has encountered
problems and needs to close.'). The odd part is that when I checked the
processes running in Task Manager, explorer.exe is actually running.
When I checked various startup files; I found none that would suggest a
problem. I guess I'll simply live with the issue until something really
drastic occurs. Thanks again.
Howard
 
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