Explorer Fails To Load On Start-Up (Sometimes)

secretcodebreaker · Aug 31, 2009

Every so often, maybe weeks apart, when I start up my B machine (PC with XP), it doesn't load and execute Windoze Explorer. Re-booting (manually) doesn't fix it.

So, I use Alt, Ctrl, Delete to bring up the Task List and I click on the Applications Tab, key in Explorer and click Run.

Explorer comes up, I have my usual desk top and everything seems to run OK.

I do a normal Turn Off every night and the next morning, odds are that Windoze (along with Explorer) will load and execute.

Then seemingly out of the blue, one day it doesn't load and execute Explorer and I have to manually (via the Task List) get it to execute Explorer so I can use the machine.

Two questions.

1. Why does it do that?
2. Is there any change I can make to prevent it in the future?

Thanks,

plodr · Aug 31, 2009

Kelly's Korner says this

Control/Alt/Delete - When the Windows Task Manager dialog box appears, select the File menu and then New Task (Run). When the Create New Task dialog box appears, type in Explorer and press the OK button. Windows Explorer should restart complete with the Start button.
Click to expand...

It's similar to what you are doing but maybe it will correct the problem for good.

mkoskenk · Sep 1, 2009

I've been facing this same problem on several computers in our company. There seems to be no pattern why this happens nor does it leave any traces in logs to help sorting out the reason.

The solution suggested by plodr is exactly the same the original poster (and me as well) has been doing at it works only as a temporary fix. Even though it's nothing critical it definately is a bugger I'd like to get rid of..

I'll keep you guys posted if I happen to run into anything.

DavidGP · Sep 1, 2009

Hi

As in many cases of Explorer issues and random crashes in Windows are caused by 3rd party shell extentions try diabling all non-Microsoft ones and ShellExView is good for this, if with all disabled Explorer works ok, then start enabling one at a time until you find your culprit, can see this being a long process as its random issue.

*tip to sort the order easier, scroll along a bit until you see the Microsoft heading and click to sort into yes / no

mkoskenk · Sep 1, 2009

Indeed, talk about a long and tedious task as the randomness can be something between days and weeks, even month(s)...

DavidGP · Sep 1, 2009

Hi

I know,

In your company are all PCs setup with similar software? (dont know how many you have, and if like where I work there is excess of 3k+) if not then are the PCs that are having the issue, similar is installed software? *just trying to find a comonality*

Do all have same Windows version and Service Pack? if so what one.

Going to ask even though I know this will have likely been done, is that malware scans have been done on these PCs, espeically if the users can install their own apps?

Anything in the Event Logs, System and Application logs at time of this happening?

Would if you can take one of the faulting PCs and use as a test and run chkdsk /r and sfc /scannow to see if corruption plays a part.

In the Registry in this location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options is there a subkey called explorer.exe

also check HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon and in the right panel, is the Shell values, value data explorer.exe

mkoskenk · Sep 1, 2009

Hi Halo, thanks for your fast response!

We only have 50 or so computers and the problem doesn't seem to be related to any specific setups. Only commonality I've been able to dig out that this hasn't occurred (or at least I haven't been told so) in Vista machines. I've got a couple of XP ones that have 'forgot' to start the Explorer.exe in startup and these machines include both normal and x64 versions of XP Pro, on desktops and laptops alike. Also the software wary a lot.

I've checked the system logs but there are no traces of what could be causing the explorer problems... I haven't run chkdsk on any of the computers. I'll check out the registry but I find it kind of hard to believe that'd be the issue since the explorer fires up no problems most of the time..

I haven't put oo much effort on this as it is not critical, just a minor annoyance but would be nice to overcome it one of these days

DavidGP · Sep 1, 2009

Hi

Various Windows versions, ouch, that adds to the difficulty in finding what this is, are the security applications used on all PCs the same ones (what ones are they), are the PCs networked *guessing they are*?

Are their PCs that never have this issue that are say Vista ones, try and see what apps are installed that are not the same, however I kinda think its a corrupt 3rd party Shell Extention.

Do all have current Service Packs and Hotfixes for there respective Windows Versions?

satrow · Sep 1, 2009

Check that Explorer is set to load from HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Shell and also check that AutoRestartShell has a value of 1.

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Explorer Fails To Load On Start-Up (Sometimes)

secretcodebreaker Specialist

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