Problem with Windows Explorer (and flash player?)

Hi everyone,

My laptop has stopped working because of some weird issue. I had posted this in the malware section:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1745461#post1745461

but it seems like its not a malware issue.

The problem started when I left a window open overnight that had a video (tv show) playing on it. When I woke up in morning the window had an error that plugin wasn't working. But then when I pressed the start button, windows explorer crashed. If I try to open an antivirus, windows explorer crashes. My computer/ c drive/ internet explorer can't be opened either. Anything that uses flash player doesn't work. Apart for that, I can use Chrome / Firefox to use websites. I can't reinstall Adobe Flash (its already installed, and if i try to remove it explorer crashes), though I think it is a deeper problem (something doesn't allow me to use any anti-virus seems to be more malicious to me). I have the same problems with Safemode, so can't run an anti-virus or anything over there.

Would really appreciate some help. Very difficult to spend so many days without a computer and I really can't afford to spend $200 on AVG.

 

What Windows version do you have?

What files do you have in

• C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash ?
• C:\Windows\syswow64\Macromed\Flash ?

Can you try to uninstall Flash Player using the uninstaller from http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html ? (This page uses Flash, so you may have a problem downloading the uninstaller; here is a direct link: download.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/support/uninstall_flash_player.exe)

 

I am using Windows 7. I had earlier tried uninstalling Adobe Flash on the website, and it doesn't work. The other link you shared allowed me to download the uninstallation file, but I still can't run it (explorer crashes). I tried running it through DOS (F8 during boot anad going into command prompt) but it doesn't work.

I don't think I have the syswow folder you mentioned. Regarding the files in the system32 folder; their names are:
Flash32_11_2_202_235.ocx
FlashInstall.log
flashplayer.xpt
FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
FlashUtil32_11_2_202_235_ActiveX.dll
FlashUtil32_11_2_202_235_ActiveX.exe
FlashUtil32_11_2_202_235_Plugin.exe
mms.cfg
NPSWF32_11_2_202_235.dll

 

I do not really think that this is caused by Flash Player (but I could be wrong, of course).

Can you check the Event Viewer, if you can find any information what makes Explorer crash? See http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Open-Event-Viewer; I assume that the Explorer crashes would show in the System section.

Regarding the syswow64 folder, you would have that only if your Windows 7 is the 64-bit edition.

 

I can't open Event Viewer since when I open Control Panel the Explorer crashes. I tried opening through command prompt but it doesn't work either.

I personally don't think that Flash is causing this. It seems something more malicious which stops me from opening things like anti-virus.

 

Can you boot into Safe Mode? Can you run the Event Viewer in Safe Mode?

 

No I don't think it can run in safe mode either.
Could the problem be with a missing dll file?
One error message says gcwf32.dll cannot start

 

The google chrome installer doesn't work. The file downloads but whenever I try to open the file explorer crashes.