Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close

[Guest]

For some unknown reason, I get the error message "Windows Explorer has
encountered a problem and needs to close..." every time I start the computer.
I have tried the Debug feature, scanned for Viruses and tried many System
Restore Points (does this ever work?), but all to no avail. I can still use
my computer and hide the error message (which won't go away) in the bottom of
the task bar, but it is driving me nuts.

The error signature says:

AppName: explorer.exe
AppVer: 6.02900.2180
ModName: user32.dll
ModVer: 5.1.2600.3099
Offset: 00009de9

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Guest]

For the fix go to:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/184802#top

 

[Gerry]

What is the make and model of your computer? What type of Windows XP CD
do you have? Is pre or post SP2?

What is your anti-virus programme?
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

A more complete version of the Error Report from Event Viewer would be
helpful.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

Part of the Description of the error will include a link, which you
should double click for further information. You can copy using copy
and paste. Often the link will, however, say there is no further
information.
http://go.microsoft.com/fw.link/events.asp
(Please note the hyperlink above is for illustration purposes only)

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

Let's see if System Restore will function in Safe Mode.

Boot into Safe Mode and perform a test restore using the following link.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/tips.html#3

How to starting Windows XP in Safe Mode:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/safemode.html

If there are any Norton applications installed, take a look at this page.
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/symantecdoc1.html

Here are some more troubleshooting steps to take when System Restore fails
to restore:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/srfail.html

The Event Viewer can sometimes be helpful in tracking down errors.
Using the Event Viewer to troubleshoot System Restore errors:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/source.html

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

 

[Guest]

Okay, I restarted on Safe Mode as the Administrator and could not even go
onto the Internet to access your http://bertk.mvps.org/html/tips.html#3 link.
In fact it doesn't seem any access is possible in Safe Mode?
Mark

 

[Guest]

I have a Compaq Presario SR1010Z, with 1 GB RAM, running Windows XP Home with
all Microsoft updates, including SP2.

My Anti-Virus program is Norton Anti-Virus 2007.

Finally, the error report says: Faulting application explorer.exe, version
6.0.2900.3156, faulting module user32.dll, version 5.1.2600.3099, fault
address 0x00009de9

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't doubt this would be the solution. The thing that concerns me
though is that I know very little about the Windows Registry which the fix
would appear to say I need knowledge of. I suppose if I did the step by step
guide to back up the Registry I would be okay in case I was getting in over
my head?

 

[Gerry]

Mark

Only limited services are provided in Safe Mode and these do not allow
for internet access. This is deliberate. You either need to print off
information from web sites in normal mode or use another computer to
access the sites. Safe mode is available to enable users to diagnose and
resolve problems, where interuptions from the outside world can
frustrate these activities.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Mark,

Try running System Restore from Safe Mode.

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

 

[Guest]

Bert:

I did two things:

1) I followed the instructions for disabling my 2007 Norton Anti-Virus.

2) I ran the System Resore from the Safe Mode. So that I am clear, I
started the System Restore in Safe Mode, but when it reboots, it went to the
normal mode. Am I supposed to hit F8 for it to return to Safe Mode? Either
way, the restore didn't work.

3) Also, when I tried to create a test Restore Point in Safe Mode, per your
other instructions, there was only one option available, "Restore my computer
to an earlier time", not "Create a Restore Point" which I was expecting as
well.

Thanks for your patience in helping me get through this.

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

Bert:

I did two things:

1) I followed the instructions for disabling my 2007 Norton Anti-Virus.

2) I ran the System Resore from the Safe Mode. So that I am clear, I
started the System Restore in Safe Mode, but when it reboots, it went to the
normal mode. Am I supposed to hit F8 for it to return to Safe Mode? Either
way, the restore didn't work.

No. The system should boot to normal mode and you will see the "Restoration
Complete" dialog box appear if the restore was successful.

If the restore was not successful, was there any message at all?

3) Also, when I tried to create a test Restore Point in Safe Mode, per your
other instructions, there was only one option available, "Restore my computer
to an earlier time", not "Create a Restore Point" which I was expecting as well.

This is normal, restore points can not be created in Safe Mode.

Thanks for your patience in helping me get through this.

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

 

[Guest]

Bert:

The message after it was unable to restore was "Restoration was
unsuccessful. No changes have been made to your computer. System Restore was
unable to restore your computer to the specified restore point. Select
another restore point and try to perform the restoration again."

I did try a different restoration point (system checkpoint) as well.

 

[Bert Kinney]

Then I would suggest disabling System Restore. This will delete all existing
restore points and do away with any restore point corruption that may exist.

Then test System Restore.

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org