Problem Loading explorer.exe

By Dugrall
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Neowinian

Dugrall

Posted
Posted

I am using windows xp, and whenever I start up the computer explorer.exe decides to randomly turn off on me. It constantly crashes like it is flashing on and off. I ran an antivirus scan and it found 0 viruses. I have no idea what could have caused this issue, but it is really frustrating. I am a complete newbie when it comes to computers and would appreciate any help I can get to resolving this issue.

p.s. to anyone whose more of a noob to computers than I am, explorer.exe is different from internet explorer

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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/731036-problem-loading-explorerexe/
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Grand Master

+allan MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted
  MR_Candyman said:
explorer's a piece of crap, it always does this eventually.

Ridiculous post. I've been working with computers (LOTS of them) since 1985 and have NEVER had - or even seen - eplorer crash.

To the OP - These things to not happen in a vacuum - something brought it on. Before the problem arose did anything different happen (new s/w, h/w, virus, anything)?

Rising Star

s3pHiX

Posted
Posted

Yes, correct "Explorer.exe" is a piece of crap.. just for the fact MS designed it, but that's besides the point here.

Ok, yes, Explorer.exe will crash, and does religiously screw up in Windows, I've seen it alot. Things I've done to resolve it are as follows, and normally it been caused by some form of virus, ad/spyware or mal-ware about 98% of the times I've seen the issue.

So, 1st off, I'd recommend running an on-line virus scan such as ESET NOD32 Free Scanner found here --> ESET NOD32 On-Line Scanner

I also run a CHKDSK /R from an XP Recovery Console, along with the XP Repair Re-Install following the Recovery Console.

I would also recommend deleting all the files in all your temp directories, to clean out the windows files.

Also the best way to scan the HDD for issues, if you have access to it, is to slave it to another PC, and run your scans from there.

Thanks,

Neowinian

Dugrall

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  N3o_v0rT3X said:
Yes, correct "Explorer.exe" is a piece of crap.. just for the fact MS designed it, but that's besides the point here.

Ok, yes, Explorer.exe will crash, and does religiously screw up in Windows, I've seen it alot. Things I've done to resolve it are as follows, and normally it been caused by some form of virus, ad/spyware or mal-ware about 98% of the times I've seen the issue.

So, 1st off, I'd recommend running an on-line virus scan such as ESET NOD32 Free Scanner found here --> ESET NOD32 On-Line Scanner

I also run a CHKDSK /R from an XP Recovery Console, along with the XP Repair Re-Install following the Recovery Console.

I would also recommend deleting all the files in all your temp directories, to clean out the windows files.

Also the best way to scan the HDD for issues, if you have access to it, is to slave it to another PC, and run your scans from there.

Thanks,

just tried all this, but still no luck

Grand Master

soldier1st

Posted
Posted

Use process explorer and see what is hooked into explorer and if you see anything weird in it then thats the problem and to those who think explorer is crap or crashes alot, it does not do it by itself so something does it, do not blame something you do not understand. a bad extension/addon will be the most likely cause of explorer crashing if it is hooked into it. only do a repair if nothing else works, also check your startups to see if there is anything that should not be starting.

Neowinian

Dugrall

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  soldier1st said:
Use process explorer and see what is hooked into explorer and if you see anything weird in it then thats the problem and to those who think explorer is crap or crashes alot, it does not do it by itself so something does it, do not blame something you do not understand. a bad extension/addon will be the most likely cause of explorer crashing if it is hooked into it. only do a repair if nothing else works, also check your startups to see if there is anything that should not be starting.

know of any free repair programs

and im not sure how to check my startups and even if I did i wouldnt know what should and shouldnt be there

Grand Master

redvamp128

Posted
Posted

From what I have seen explorer.exe crashing -- Not saying this is your cause, just what I have seen.

1. Custom Themes -- those not created by Microsoft.

2. Addon's such as tool bars (various versions of Google and Yahoo) have caused issues in the past with Explorer. (so if you have them installed make sure to check for updates of them)

3. Updates - to some extent have caused in the past issues with incompatible versions. Though a quick trip to windows update generally fixes that.

What You could try besides the repair install- is to create a new user and see if that new user causes that issue Though some people have said in the past check and delete all from the Prefetch (though people will argue that one)- default location of that is C:\windows\prefetch . (So please don't assume that I believe that one--but will not hurt anything to delete) some have said that will fix the issue and windows will recreate all of that upon reboot anyhow.

A few questions have come to mind about that- When did it start? Around a Video update? Also check your event logs to see if there are any clues as to why it is crashing.

.

Neowinian

Dugrall

Posted
  • Author
Posted
  warwagon said:
i'd recommend hijackthis.

post your log. You can usually see things that sink their teeth into explorer.exe this way.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2

Scan saved at 10:28:47 AM, on 2/16/2009

Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)

MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP3 (6.00.2900.5512)

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:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe

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

C:\WINDOWS\arservice.exe

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Data Management Server 5\Server\Dispatch\Connectivity.WindowsService.JobDispatch.exe

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Data Management Server 5\Server\Webserver\Connectivity.EDMWS.Server.exe

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe

C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe

C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\LxrJD31s.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE

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

C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe

C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\AntiVirus 2007\tavsvc.exe

C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\AntiVirus 2007\Components\tmproxy.exe

C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe

C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WMP54Gv4.exe

C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WUSB54Gv4.exe

C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\AntiVirus 2007\tavui.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe

C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&a...&pf=desktop

R3 - URLSearchHook: AOLTBSearch Class - {EA756889-2338-43DB-8F07-D1CA6FB9C90D} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Toolbar 2.0\aoltb.dll

O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll

O3 - Toolbar: AOL Toolbar - {DE9C389F-3316-41A7-809B-AA305ED9D922} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Toolbar 2.0\aoltb.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlwaysReady Power Message APP] ARPWRMSG.EXE

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

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] "nwiz.exe" /install

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD08] "c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\{33D6CC28-9F75-4d1b-A11D-98895B3A3729}\hphupd08.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DMAScheduler] "c:\Program Files\HP DigitalMedia Archive\DMAScheduler.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WUSB54Gv4] "C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\InvokeSvc3.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.0\Apps\apdproxy.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"

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

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot

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

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Trend Micro AntiVirus 2007] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\AntiVirus" 2007\tavui.exe -1 --delay 15

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iSUSPM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\isuspm.exe" -scheduler

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer] KHALMNPR.EXE

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dumprep 0 -k

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] "C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe" /auto

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [spySweeper] C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeperUI.exe /startintray

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aim6] "C:\Program Files\AIM6\aim6.exe" /d locale=en-US ee://aol/imApp

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [GetModule36] "C:\Program Files\GetModule\GetModule36.exe"

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [RunNarrator] Narrator.exe (User 'SYSTEM')

O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [RunNarrator] Narrator.exe (User 'Default user')

O4 - S-1-5-18 Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')

O4 - .DEFAULT Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')

O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')

O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe

O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe

O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = ?

O4 - Global Startup: Service Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe

O4 - Global Startup: Updates From HP.lnk = C:\Program Files\Updates from HP\9972322\Program\Updates from HP.exe

O8 - Extra context menu item: &AOL Toolbar Search - c:\program files\aol\aol toolbar 2.0\resources\en-US\local\search.html

O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000

O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {3369AF0D-62E9-4bda-8103-B4C75499B578} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Toolbar 2.0\aoltb.dll

O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL

O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe

O9 - Extra button: Internet Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Internet Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe

O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe

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

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\tmlsp.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\tmlsp.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\tmlsp.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\tmlsp.dll

O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.trymedia.com (HKLM)

O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://photo.walgreens.com/WalgreensActivia.cab

O16 - DPF: {56762DEC-6B0D-4AB4-A8AD-989993B5D08B} (OnlineScanner Control) - http://www.eset.eu/buxus/docs/OnlineScanner.cab

O16 - DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} (DivXBrowserPlugin Object) - http://go.divx.com/plugin/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab

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

O23 - Service: Autodesk Data Management Job Dispatch - Autodesk Inc - C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Data Management Server 5\Server\Dispatch\Connectivity.WindowsService.JobDispatch.exe

O23 - Service: Autodesk EDM Server - - C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Data Management Server 5\Server\Webserver\Connectivity.EDMWS.Server.exe

O23 - Service: Autodesk Licensing Service - Autodesk - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe

O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe

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

O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe

O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe

O23 - Service: Lexar JD31 (LxrJD31s) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\LxrJD31s.exe

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

O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe

O23 - Service: Trend Micro AntiVirus Protection Service (tavsvc) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\AntiVirus 2007\tavsvc.exe

O23 - Service: Trend Micro Proxy Service (tmproxy) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\AntiVirus 2007\Components\tmproxy.exe

O23 - Service: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (WebrootSpySweeperService) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe

O23 - Service: WMP54Gv4SVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

O23 - Service: WUSB54Gv4SVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

--

End of file - 10803 bytes

Grand Master

+Warwagon MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted

What usually causes explorer.exe to become unstable other than spyware is context menu's items and toolbars. Toolbar's being the ones that show up on the top of every explorer windows. Context menu's being things that add extra items in your right click menus. You may want to start uninstalling one by one things of that nature. Then see if the problem goes away.

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