Windows XP Windows Explorer will not open

RezRunner · May 24, 2010

I have a machine with Windows XP SP2. My better half got some kind of virus. I ran PC tools antivirus and now when I boot I can not get Windows explorer to work right! I get no menu bar, no icons. I tried to open Task Manager, with no luck! (Nothing Happened with ctrl alt del). I tried logging in with one of the other 3 accounts on this machine same thing. I am able to boot with mini XP and see most things. I know there is probably some registry hack, but I just don't know what it is.

When I use a remote registry tool I see: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer.

When I look at the default value in Explorer file, it says default and also says no value set!

I only looked at this because when I did a search from Google of my situation, I found several post saying to change values here. I want to know what the people here tell me to do as you guys have never steered me wrong.

Rez rolleyes

DavidGP · May 24, 2010

Hi

I would run the below malware guide and start a new thread in the malware area of the forum and attach the requested logs as before I would be advising changing registry keys I would want to know that your are fully malware free as you maybe messing with files and registry settings that could make things worse. Malware can disable many settings to try and stop you fixing the infection so a look over your logs from the malware experts here is worth a go.

If you cannot run any apps in normal mode run them in safe mode (use a secondary PC to download and then copy the apps via USB pen or CD to the infected PC if you cannot download on that PC)

As a quicky can you click Start > Run and type taskmgr.exe and does task mgr load?

Please read and follow the following READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide and once finished please start a new thread in the Malware Forum plus a guide on how to attach the logs HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post
Click to expand...

RezRunner · May 24, 2010

Unfortunately when I boot into safemode the same exact thing happens! I get to the safemode login, then when I login I get message Windows explorer will not run or something to that effect! When I hit ctrl-alt-del nothing happens.

RezRunner · May 24, 2010

I said nothing happens well that's not exactly right! The window comes up where I can select task manager but when I click it goes back to the background screen and nothing else happens.

DavidGP · May 24, 2010

Hi

Best visit the Malware Removal guide and see what you can do of the steps and create a new thread in malware and attach what logs you can get, I would if you can start backing up any important files, docs, images etc as if its one of the nasty type of malware as in say Virut it can be difficult to remove and a reinstall of Windows is the last resort, but see how you get on in malware.

Backup your data first as malware can cause all sorts of issues, and try the attached reg edit (below is the text of the edit, so you can see its location, could always before trying see if that reg location has that key and data, or try and restore explorer.exe with the reg edit, may or may not work, depends on the malware.

RezRunner · May 24, 2010

I can not get to any files! I have no access to Task Manager, Desktop, Start Menu! It doesn't work in safe mode either! I boot up and I have the windows background!

TimW · May 24, 2010

Two things to try:

Kaspersky Rescue Disk.
BitDefender Rescue Disk-with-auto-update.

I would try the Kaspersky disc first.....it may take a good while to run.

RezRunner · May 24, 2010

Thanks Tim I'll give it a try!

:cool

Log in or Sign up

Windows XP Windows Explorer will not open

RezRunner Private E-2

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

RezRunner Private E-2

RezRunner Private E-2

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

Attached Files:

fix explorer exe.zip

RezRunner Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

RezRunner Private E-2