Error..

[GCS]

Whenever I try to open my music folder this error pops up..

"Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

The Windows taskbar completely freezes, so as any other folder I try to open, causing me to shut down the whole system. Problem with explorer.exe I guess[?].

I had the same problem when trying to open IE. But after fixing the Dr Watson error, it runs fine now. I use Firefox anyways, so I don't get any errors with that program of course.

At first, it was the Dr Watson error, which I have already fixed now. But now this other error pops up and I can't open my music folder. I made a new folder and moved the files by browsing through the folder from a media player. Yet the error is still there. Could it be a the folder's content?

I couldn't find anything online, an article or something, over this issue. Any ideas on how to solve this problem?

[+allan MVC]

Did this problem just start? If so, what changes did you make just before it appeared (new sw, hw, virus problem, etc)? These things rarely occur spontaneously.

[s3pHiX]

The Windows Explorer is the main explorer file/system utility that allows windows to access all files & folders within the windows environment. The times that I've seen this, and have been able to repair the issue has been to usually run a repair re-install of Windows or run the CHKDSK /R at a recovery console of Windows XP, which is accessed by booting the PC from the CD.

Usually when you get these Windows Explorer Errors, it normally do to Windows File Corruption, or issues within Windows from Virus, Ad/Spyware infections.

You may also want to scan for that as well. Some useful tools are listed below.

Spybot Search & Destroy --> Download Here

Lavasoft Ad-Ware 2007 --> Download Here

AVG Anti-Spyware --> Download Here

You could also run SFC /SCANNOW to check for altered system files within windows as well.

Hope this helps to resolve your issue.

Thanks,

[+Warwagon MVC]

This sort of problem is usually the cause of something that has its hooks in explorer.exe You'll need to post a hijackthis log file so we can see all the thing attaching itself.

[GCS]

  warwagon said:

This sort of problem is usually the cause of something that has its hooks in explorer.exe You'll need to post a hijackthis log file so we can see all the thing attaching itself.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.0 (BETA)

Scan saved at 1:47:41 PM, on 12/28/2007

Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)

Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe

C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe

C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe

C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Stardock\SDMCP.exe

C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE

C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe

C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe

C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0\avp.exe

C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$VAIO_VEDB\Binn\sqlservr.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlwriter.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgr.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VCSW\VCSW.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCdb\VzCdbSvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Apoint\Apoint.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCdb\VzFw.exe

C:\Program Files\Apoint\Apntex.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ICO.EXE

C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Power Management\SPMgr.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\ISB Utility\ISBMgr.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\Wireless Switch Setting Utility\Switcher.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Camera Utility\VCUServe.exe

C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 2\VAIOUpdt.exe

C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe

C:\Program Files\Qliner Hotkeys\HotKeys.exe

C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0\avp.exe

C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe

C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe

C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe

C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\TosBtMng.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VzRs\VzRs.exe

C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe

C:\Program Files\Last.fm\LastFM.exe

C:\Program Files\Last.fm\LastFMHelper.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\TosA2dp.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\TosBtHid.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\TosBtBty.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\TosBtHsp.exe

C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\usnsvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Samurize\Client.exe

C:\Program Files\Stardock\ObjectDock\ObjectDock.exe

C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\tosOBEX.exe

C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\tosBtProc.exe

C:\Program Files\FrostWire\FrostWire.exe

C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE

C:\Program Files\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe

C:\DOCUME~1\Plankie\LOCALS~1\Temp\Rar$EX00.672\HiJackThis_v2.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://vaio-online.sony.com/

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local

O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll

O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll

O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)

O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\Apoint\Apoint.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Mouse Suite 98 Daemon] ICO.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sonyPowerCfg] C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Power Management\SPMgr.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iSBMgr.exe] C:\Program Files\Sony\ISB Utility\ISBMgr.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [switcher.exe] C:\Program Files\Sony\Wireless Switch Setting Utility\Switcher.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VAIOCameraUtility] "C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Camera Utility\VCUServe.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VAIO Update 2] "C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Update 2\VAIOUpdt.exe" /Stationary

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00Hotkeys] "C:\Program Files\Qliner Hotkeys\HotKeys.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVP] "C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0\avp.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [spybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe

O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: E-Flyer.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\E-Flyer\E-Flyer.exe (User 'Default user')

O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: VAIO Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Launcher\Launcher.exe (User 'Default user')

O4 - Startup: Client config.3-time.lnk = C:\Program Files\Samurize\Client.exe

O4 - Startup: Last.fm Helper.lnk = C:\Program Files\Last.fm\LastFMHelper.exe

O4 - Global Startup: Bluetooth Manager.lnk = ?

O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Anti-Banner - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0\ie_banner_deny.htm

O8 - Extra context menu item: Transfer by Image Converter 2 Plus - C:\Program Files\Sony\Image Converter 2\menu.htm

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll

O9 - Extra button: Web Anti-Virus statistics - {1F460357-8A94-4D71-9CA3-AA4ACF32ED8E} - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0\SCIEPlgn.dll

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll

O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe

O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://vaio-online.sony.com/

O20 - AppInit_DLLs: wbsys.dll,C:\PROGRA~1\KASPER~1\KASPER~1.0\adialhk.dll

O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll

O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll

O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft AB - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe

O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe

O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - GRISOFT s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe

O23 - Service: Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 (AVP) - Kaspersky Lab - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0\avp.exe

O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe

O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe

O23 - Service: Image Converter video recording monitor for VAIO Entertainment - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\Image Converter 2\IcVzMon.exe

O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe

O23 - Service: MSCSPTISRV - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\MSCSPTISRV.exe

O23 - Service: Norton Protection Center Service (NSCService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE (file missing)

O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

O23 - Service: PACSPTISVR - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\PACSPTISVR.exe

O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe

O23 - Service: Intel® PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe

O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SPTISRV.exe

O23 - Service: SonicStage SCSI Service (SSScsiSV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SSScsiSV.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment Aggregation and Control Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment\VzRs\VzRs.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment Task Scheduler - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Entertainment\VzTaskScheduler.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment TV Device Arbitration Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCs\VzHardwareResourceManager\VzHardwareResourceManager.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Event Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Event Service\VESMgr.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\VMISrv.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-HTTP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\SV_Httpd.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Media Integrated Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-IntegratedServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\UPnPFramework.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Media Gateway Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-Mobile-Gateway) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Sony\VAIO Media Integrated Server\Platform\VmGateway.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment UPnP Client Adapter (Vcsw) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VCSW\VCSW.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment Database Service (VzCdbSvc) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCdb\VzCdbSvc.exe

O23 - Service: VAIO Entertainment File Import Service (VzFw) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\VAIO Entertainment Platform\VzCdb\VzFw.exe

--

End of file - 12300 bytes

[devHead]

What is this process? ▼

  Quote

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ICO.EXE

It's kinda hard to tell from all your running processes. Did you recently install a new spyware/anti-virus app?

Are you sure you need so many anti-spyware, adaware and anti-virus and security suites running? I'm not saying it's not good to be safe, mind you. Just seems to me like a bit of overkill.

Otherwise, can't tell what could be causing the crash just in your Music folder.

[Juts]

The problem is similar to one i had. It has to do with Windows D.E.P. Data execution prevention. It happens with faulty thumbnail files i believe.... Well a fix for my problem was: Right click on my computer>Properties>Advaned>Performance> and from there you should be able to turn off DEP for explorer.exe I'm in linux atm, so my directions might be slightly off, but i believe you can work it from there.

[GCS]

  N3o_v0rT3X said:

The Windows Explorer is the main explorer file/system utility that allows windows to access all files & folders within the windows environment. The times that I've seen this, and have been able to repair the issue has been to usually run a repair re-install of Windows or run the CHKDSK /R at a recovery console of Windows XP, which is accessed by booting the PC from the CD.

Usually when you get these Windows Explorer Errors, it normally do to Windows File Corruption, or issues within Windows from Virus, Ad/Spyware infections.

You may also want to scan for that as well. Some useful tools are listed below.

Spybot Search & Destroy --> Download Here

Lavasoft Ad-Ware 2007 --> Download Here

AVG Anti-Spyware --> Download Here

You could also run SFC /SCANNOW to check for altered system files within windows as well.

Hope this helps to resolve your issue.

Thanks,

Thanks, for posting the links as well.. I already had Spybot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft Ad-Ware 2007.. I downloaded AVG Anti-Spyware, detected 6 malwares.

Very helpful, thank you again. =]

Edited December 28, 2007 by GCS

[GCS]

  Mortiferous said:

The problem is similar to one i had. It has to do with Windows D.E.P. Data execution prevention. It happens with faulty thumbnail files i believe.... Well a fix for my problem was: Right click on my computer>Properties>Advaned>Performance> and from there you should be able to turn off DEP for explorer.exe I'm in linux atm, so my directions might be slightly off, but i believe you can work it from there.

I just tried that, restarted, but the folder would not open directly, only from the explore option, which is alright.

So, thanks a lot! =]

[Athlonite]

Hmmm I had a similar problem when trying to browse a folder full of .avi files when set to view thumbnails i found that by changing the view type by to details and then deleting the thumbs.db and then close explorer . reopen explorer go back to the folder you had the problem with a re-enable thumbnail view if this fails to fix the problem then it may be the cause is a corrupt file within the folder

[Knife Party]

sounds like malware manifestation