Explorer keeps crashing

Not, IE, mind you, but Explorer. I recently had to reinstall Win98, and now it crashes frequently, so I have to reboot. Any feedback appreciated.

 

Terrel,

Give us a little more info. Are you talking about Windows Explorer, what version of Internet Explorer do you have, when is it crashing on you?

In the meantime try running your Internet Explorer repair tool, see if that helps.

Let us know.

Steve

 

I'm running win98. It's not Internet Explorer that is crashing, it's Explorer, which I'll admit, I'm not sure what that is! Here's the IE info tho, in case it's relevant: version 6.0.2800.1106

I'll frequently get a window popping open saying that Explorer has performed an illegal operation. This never happens if my computer is static, but only when I am clicking, or opening up a new program or window. (Doesnt' crash every time I do those things, mind you.)

When that happens, I have to click on "ok" to make that window close. Sometimes I can then continue on, nothing visible changes. Other times, it takes away my task bar, my desktop, and while I might still have a working window or program open and accessible, I need to reboot to get the taskbar and desktop back.

I mentioned earlier that this problem just started, at the same time I had to reinstall Win98. I am getting a few error messages when I boot up each time that are new. Perhaps they are related. I'll reboot and post those messages now.

 

Ok..error message that I get when I boot is, in a nutshell, SYMTDI.VXD device file no longer exists or cant' be found. Again, don't know if that is related or not, but just in case....

Thanks in advance for help!

 

This is a file associated with Norton's Anti-virus. Have you tried to uninstall an earlier version?

Steve

 

Yes, uninstalled Norton, now use AntiVir.

 

When you reinstalled 98, did you do a clean format & install, or simply re-install it overtop of the exisiting 98 Operating System? If it's the latter, you're very likely going to have wierd problems such as you describe. You can try the system file checker & scandisk to see if that'll fix things for you.

If you go to the Symantic website, you can download various programs to completely un-install their products. It'll vary depending on which of their products you're trying to un-install.

 

I installed it over the existing version.

I've run Scan Disk, no problems found. Can you provide some detail on how to run System File Checker? I can't seem to find that.

If that doesn't fix it, am I best off doing a clean format and install? How do I do the clean format? If I do the clean format, I'm guessing that will wipe my entire disk, including all other programs I have installed apart from Windows. is that correct?

Thanks for the help!

 

Ok, it's been awhile for 98, so I may be a bit off on these directions, but you should be able to go to start->programs->accessories->system tools->system information. Click on that & it'll take a minute or two to load up & it'll show you detailed information about your computer. In one of the menus at the top of the program (like 'options' or 'tools' or similar) the menu drops down & 'system file checker' is one of the choices. It'll check all your system files & if it finds any that are corrupt, will prompt you for the Win98 CD to replace the file from, or you can point it to a folder on your HDD where you might have the files (Wincabs, for instance).

Not sure if it works this way in 98, but in XP you can just go to the 'run' command line & type in "sfc /scannow" (without the quotes) and it'll run the system file checker. You could try it.

 

Wavetar is correct, you have to uninstall Norton's using the directions and / or tools for that specific version of Norton's. This link should get you started,

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nsw.nsf/docid/2001100212100807

or use this removal tool if you had NAV2003.

http://majorgeeks.com/download3077.html

Steve

 

I ran System File Checker, and had 2 files that were bad...

C:\windows\system\user.exe
C:\windows\system\setupx.dll

I opted to update both.

Did so, and then windows kept crashing upon boot...msimn problem, or something.

Bottom Line, had to reinstall windows98 again, and explorer keeps crashing..ideas?

Thanks!

 

What is the exact error message when "explorer crashes" ? It should tell you something or click on details and tell us what it says.

We can probably get this fixed if you give more specifics, there are many experienced members here that can help and the more information the better.

Steve

 

OK..few more details now.

When Explorer crashed last time, I got the gray pop up box, clicked on details, and got several lines of text. Attempted to select and copy the text, which crashed me further...made rest of screen black, and a white box popped up which said "Explorer caused a general protection fault in module GDI.EXE at 0001:00004aea." Then I believe had the option to either close or ignore, but didn't matter, computer had frozen up.

So missed some of the info, but got part of it. Does this help?

Thanks in advance!

 

Terrel,

Checkthis out, http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q146904

See if it sounds or looks like the errors you are getting, I wanted to get this to you while you are still on.

Steve

 

Hmm, thank you Steve. That doesnt' sound like the problem though. I am able to boot up fine...it's just that Explorer will crash from time to time. I'll make sure to write the details down by hand next time, so I won't miss them.

Thanks!

 

Ok..captured error details...here they are.

EXPLORER caused a general protection fault
in module GDI.EXE at 0001:00004aea.
Registers:
EAX=00006db0 CS=04bf EIP=00004aea EFLGS=00000206
EBX=00000001 SS=1ac7 ESP=0000c300 EBP=0000c328
ECX=000036ae DS=2e8f ESI=00000060 FS=0000
EDX=80c8503f ES=503f EDI=00000074 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
f3 67 a5 66 83 d1 00 f3 67 a4 66 8b 4e 0a c3 66
Stack dump:
062f4a93 00000001 00020000 000116a7 0c9f0000 c32c0858 1

thanks in advance for feedback!

 

Did you ever go thru the removal process for Norton's?

Steve

 

No..will try that now though.

 

OK.....removed NAV, still have same issue

 

Bump..

Could my constant crashing be related to these 2 files not being updated?

C:\windows\system\user.exe
C:\windows\system\setupx.dll

Thanks!

 

2 points...

1. Whenever Windows Critical Update runs, it always has me update the same 2 files, KB837009, which has something to do with Outlook Express, and another file, KB19696.

2. A friend of mine had me check gdi.exe. I checked its properties, and while the version was apparently correct, as was the size, the bytes used was high. He suggested some sort of virus or trojan. I have updated and run Antivir, as well as used the online symantec scan and another recommended elsewhere in this thread....nothing detected though.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks in advance!