Windows explorer crash when opening ANYTHING!

[Airdog]

FOr some odd reason...windows explorer crashes ( has
encountered an error and needs to close message) anytime I
try and open anything from my desktop, or program menu. The
only exception is the few options available to me from the
right side of the bar. I ran a full virus scan. Nothing. I
am writing this from my netscape navigator browser that is
in there. I can't even open my Internet Explorer, Music
files...nothing. Have reset my system a million times...no
change. Even pulled the plug so my comp would have to do a
scan on startup. Nothing. HELP!!!

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

In addition to that virus scan, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. No not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft.

 

[Guest]

I was able to downlaod the ad aware program, it is scanning
as we speak...err, type. Tried to open my control panel but
no go. It crashes. ????

 

[Airdog]

The ad aware worked. took out 419 files...and bang. back
in. thank you very much!

 

[Matt Coy]

Keep Ad Aware updated and run a scan periodically and hopefully things won't
get so extreme again.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

You're welcome.