Windows Explorer Closes when I open a folder

[Joseph L]

I have Windows XP Pro 2002. When I open a folder I receive a error message
saying Windows Explorer will be closing. Windows Explorer closes than
restarts. What can I do? Do I have a virus?

 

[db]

boot up in safe mode
and see if the issue
exists there too.

if not, then you need
to tune up normal mode.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
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- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Joseph L]

Hello

It appears Windows Explorer only closes in normal mode. It does not appear
to close in safe mode. This occurs whenever I try opening a folder.

What do I do next?

 

[Joseph L]

Hello

Windows Explorer only appears to close in normal mode notsafe mode. This
occurs whenever I try to open a folder. What can I do now?

 

[John Wunderlich]

Hello

It appears Windows Explorer only closes in normal mode. It does
not appear to close in safe mode. This occurs whenever I try
opening a folder.

What do I do next?

If all is well in Safe Mode, then the problem is probably due to an
application or service that runs after the core programs are running.
Try using "msconfig" to find which program or service is causing your
problem. This is a lot of trial and error but usually the problem gets
narrowed down...

"How to troubleshoot configuration errors by using the System
Configuration utility in Windows XP"
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560>

HTH,
John

 

[Joseph L]

Maybe I should have mentioned that the folder contains video files. Would you
know of any applications that would interfere with video files? Is that a
good route to follow?

Not to sound dumb but while in msconfig I honestly don’t know which
programs I absolutely need to boot into windows and which to begin to remove.
I could use some advice thanks.

 

[Joseph L]

Thanks I will follow the instructions you posted.

 

[John Wunderlich]

Maybe I should have mentioned that the folder contains video
files. Would you know of any applications that would interfere
with video files? Is that a good route to follow?

If you like... In Safe Mode, create a new folder and move the video
files to the new folder. Reboot & see if the problem goes to the new
folder or sticks with the old...

Not to sound dumb but while in msconfig I honestly donƒ Tt know
which programs I absolutely need to boot into windows and which to
begin to remove. I could use some advice thanks.

I would start by checking "Selective Startup" then un-checking "Load
Startup Items". This essentially un-checks everything under the
"Startup" tab. Reboot and see if this works. If it does, then re-
enable half of the items in the "Startup" tab and try again. Don't
worry about removing too much. Keep up the process until your
problem is narrowed down.

HTH,
John

 

[Joseph L]

I'm very confused I found so many topics on this issue online.

Here is one

http://www.hiren.info/pages/windows-xp-registry-tips


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...ws+xp+crashes+when+opening+folder&btnG=Search

 

[Joseph L]

I have bad news. I was unable to resolve the issue using msconfig. I disabled
all of the start up items and the issue continued. Then I went into safe mode
again to make sure and the issue occurred in safe mode. This issue has to do
with video files in a particular folder. The files run but Windows explorer
closes then restarts .What do I do now? I am very confused from the tip offer

 

[John Wunderlich]

I have bad news. I was unable to resolve the issue using msconfig.
I disabled all of the start up items and the issue continued. Then
I went into safe mode again to make sure and the issue occurred in
safe mode. This issue has to do with video files in a particular
folder. The files run but Windows explorer closes then restarts
.What do I do now? I am very confused from the tip offer on other
sites. Do I have a virus?

If disabling the Startup files didn't work, then disable the Services.
Services can cause problems like this as well.


-- John

 

[Joseph L]

I disabled services and the problem still occurred. I originally thought this
problem only happened in normal mode. Now it appears to occur in safe mode as
well. This issue occurs whenever I access picture and video files in a
particular folder. The files run but Windows explorer closes then restarts
..What do I do now? I am very confused from the tip offer on other sites. Do I
have a virus? Please help. Thanks

 

[John Wunderlich]

I disabled services and the problem still occurred. I originally
thought this problem only happened in normal mode. Now it appears
to occur in safe mode as well. This issue occurs whenever I access
picture and video files in a particular folder. The files run but
Windows explorer closes then restarts .What do I do now? I am very
confused from the tip offer on other sites. Do I have a virus?
Please help. Thanks

If it occurs in Safe mode, then msconfig probably won't help you.

It's possible that it could be a virus. It certainly wouldn't hurt
to run some of the free virus scan programs that are out there.

I'm more inclined to believe that the folder itself has somehow
become corrupted causing Explorer to crash when it tries to make
sense of it. Try running a complete disk check and see if it helps:
Double-click "My Computer" -> Right Click on your C drive ->
Properties -> "Tools" tab -> Click "Check Now".
When the window comes up, select both checkboxes. Click "Start".
You will be informed that the disk check will run on the next reboot.
Reboot your computer. It might take a while... Do it when you have
some time to waste.

If that doesn't work, can you copy the files into another folder?

Good Luck,
John

 

[Olórin]

I disabled services and the problem still occurred. I originally
thought this problem only happened in normal mode. Now it appears to
occur in safe mode as well. This issue occurs whenever I access
picture and video files in a particular folder. The files run but
Windows explorer closes then restarts .What do I do now? I am very
confused from the tip offer on other sites. Do I have a virus? Please
help. Thanks

You might want to look here, see if it's close to your symptoms: "Windows
Stops Responding When You Click a Large AVI File in Windows Explorer":
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822430

If you're happy with simple registry editing, this might be worth a try: go
to

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler

Back up the key for safety, then delete the "Default" value on the right,
close and try viewing again.

Failing that, in a command prompt (in the Start Menu under Accessories)
type:

regsvr32 /u shmedia.dll

and press Enter. Then type

regsvr32 shmedia.dll

and press Enter.

Type "exit" and press Enter to close the command prompt and try your files
once more.

 

[Joseph L]

I ran the scan disk and the issue seems to have gone away. Fingers crossed.

 

[John Wunderlich]

I ran the scan disk and the issue seems to have gone away. Fingers
crossed.

Good.
Thanks for the feedback.
-- John