windows explorer problems

[paul]

all of a sudden, my internet explorer and windows
explorer is not working properly (IE won't open and i
can't open any windows like my computer, control panels,
etc..) is there any way to fix this? is this a virus?
how serious is it?

 

[Jim]

-----Original Message-----
all of a sudden, my internet explorer and windows
explorer is not working properly (IE won't open and i
can't open any windows like my computer, control panels,
etc..) is there any way to fix this? is this a virus?
how serious is it?
.
First try to re-boot into either the safe mode, or that

option for; "last known good configuration". Then if you
get into safe mode and can do things in windows, try
either doing a system restore, or run system file checker,
which is done by typeing; " sfc /scannow " in the run box.
And this runs as "Windows file protection" which may ask
for your XP CD to copy needed files from. If you don't
have one, just borrow a XP CD to use for this. Also when
windows is working better, run a virus scan too.

 

[Malke]

all of a sudden, my internet explorer and windows
explorer is not working properly (IE won't open and i
can't open any windows like my computer, control panels,
etc..) is there any way to fix this? is this a virus?
how serious is it?

Please do the first steps of Windows troubleshooting:

1) scan with current antivirus ("current" means a version not earlier
than 2002 but using updated virus definitions); 2) remove spyware with
Spybot Search & Destroy (www.security.kolla.de) and Ad-aware
(www.lavasoftusa.com). Be sure to update these programs before running,
and it is a good idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3) delete
temporary and Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop unnecessary services
programs from starting with Windows - see www.blackviper.com for
services info and www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm for programs
info - 5) look in Event Viewer for clues.

When you know that your computer is virus and spyware-free, if the
problem persists, please repost. Include information about your system
(processor speed, RAM, etc.), Internet details (mode of connection,
ISP), and what you've already done to troubleshoot.

Cheers,

Malke