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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Scotty_CFC on May 31, 2005, 10:52

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Scotty_CFC on May 31, 2005, 10:52

Hey, Right I got a problem on my PC, and i dont know when or where it came from, but it seems to be a simple configuration error. I need help.

Problem:
-Slow startup "Welcome" Screen, then just the wallpaper, nothing else.
-Explorer.exe won't start, I have to start it manually via Task manager.
-Everything works fine, until i shut down. Explorer.exe won't end properly.

Solutions Tried:
-Replacing the explorer.exe file. Nothing changed.
-Spybot, Adaware and Ewido ran. Nothing detected, and all are updated.
-Disabled startup programs via msconfig. Nothing changed.
-System Restore. Problem still existed with earliest restore point.
-Deleted recent programs.
-Put Explorer shortcut in startup folder, only to realize i needed explorer running for it to work lol.

Any help or ideas appreciated.

XP Home SP2 all current security updates
1.8 Celeron, 512mb.

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Simon on May 31, 2005, 12:27

Starting with the basics, is it too late to try System Restore, to a point before the problems started?

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Scotty_CFC on May 31, 2005, 12:29

I restored to the earliest point, but the problem was still there. Saying that, the earliest point was 3 days ago.

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: sam on May 31, 2005, 12:46

did this occur after you installed a windows update?

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Sandra on May 31, 2005, 12:47

Does the same thing happen in Safe Mode ?
If Safe Mode is working ok then uninstall and disconnect all peripherals and see if it works ok in normal windows.
If this started happening after installing a new program then uninstall it in Safe Mode.

If none of the above works then try hitting the Windows key and R together and type      sfc /scannow    in the run box if it comes up, you will need your XP cd for it to replace any damaged or missing files.

Hope one of these solutions fixes it for you  :)

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Scotty_CFC on May 31, 2005, 12:48

No, the last update was at least a week ago, I have checked for updates, but none available.

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: joudi on May 31, 2005, 14:21

Anything related to your antivirus program; maybe!    :roll:

You may try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Or maybe try another antivirus.

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Scotty_CFC on June 01, 2005, 11:37

It starts up fine in safe mode, I tried that no peripherals thing, with no result. Unfortunately I do not have an XP cd.  :?

I don't have a VS, but I've uninstalled my firewall, and then reinstalled it, both resulted in same.

Maybe this will help?

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 11:37:10, on 01/06/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\iTouch\iTouch.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Scott Rosam\Desktop\Spyware\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [zBrowser Launcher] C:\Program Files\Logitech\iTouch\iTouch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.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://www.freeserve.co.uk
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MPFSERVICE.exe

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Sandra on June 01, 2005, 12:53

I cant really think of much else to suggest other than if you have a second partition or drive then move everything over to it that you want to save and reinstall your OS.
If your earliest restore point was only 3 days ago does this mean that it was a clean install just last weekend ?

Title: Explorer.exe Problem
Post by: Simon on June 01, 2005, 13:01

Here's an analysis of your HJT log, which is valid for three days:-

http://www.hijackthis.de/logfiles/ac6cdddf9f4c90d421dda94834779658.html

It seems that there may be a problem with your McAfee anti-virus - the report indicates that the program may be in the wrong location, and may not be running correctly, although I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this information.