WinXP Explorer crashes when opening image folder

Hi everyone, I need your help.

I just bought a cheap laptop computer in China. Sorry! :-D

It's got Windows XP installed on it, and every single damn time I try to browse a folder containing pictures using Windows Explorer, it hits a wall, and I get the 'Windows Explorer has encountered an unexpected problem' message and I am bounced back to the start.

I dimly recall having this problem years ago with XP, and finding a registry alteration or some such that fixed it, but I'm damned if I can find it now.

Can anyone advise? I'd be hugely grateful.

 

Thanks very much for your suggestions, but I am no closer to a solution.

I have since discovered that I am unable to install anti-virus software on the machine. I know it has some virus(es) on it because every time I insert a flash disk and then put the same flash disk into my desktop with Avira installed, I have to immediately disinfect the flash disk.

So today I tried to install Avira on the new [piece of junk] laptop, but it will not install, every time I get Windows Data Execution message saying that the program has been terminated and do I want to send an error report etc.

Naturally I tried changing the settings on the DEP to allow the installation, but it had absolutely no effect.

I tried AVG instead with the same result. Avast, ditto.

I tried totally disabling the DEP using info from the web on how to do it. This time the software will not even try to install, iy just hangs after I try to begin the installation process.

To be honest I am stumped. Looks like I have learned the hard way that it is just not worth wasting money on cheap crap in China thinking oneself so clever.

 

Sorry, I should have said I downloaded and installed the tweaking thing, but it said early on when using it that if the computer was virus infected then that had to be dealt with first.

So I tried to install the anti-virus, but for the first time ever in my life couldn't succeed in doing so.

I did look at the other thread you mentioned, but they didn't seem to offer any insights (unless I missed something.)

Oh OK, I didn't check the MS Fixit site, but if altering the DEP settings (and even totally disabling it) has no effect on my ability to install an antivirus program, then how to proceed? I am stumped.

I'm just hoping someone here might be able to help, anyone encountered anything similar? I'd be interested. Thanks and respect in advance by the way.

 

Thanks man, Malware Bytes installed successfully and found and fixed a dozen problems, but even in Safe Mode I cannot install an anti-virus.

When I try to install Avira free I get this message:

"Installation of the Microsoft Runtime Redistributable Kit has failed.
The probable cause is a Windows Update running in parallel.
Please check whether a Windows Update is in progress and run setup again a little later.

If the installation fails again please contact Avira support.
Setup will close."

I saw the same message when trying to install in Normal mode, but I also got the DEP shutdown too.

Try to install AVG, similar result, get some .dll malfunction message. Avast won't install either.

And of course the problem opening folders with images is still there, took a snapsjot of the screen to show you, tried to open the folder containing the image and the machine switched off, a full battery seems to last roughly an hour before it gives up the ghost.

 

I truly appreciate your help and I'm glad you feel we're getting somewhere.

Downloaded your first file there, tried to install, guess what? The file will not install, blocked by the Windows DEP. Changed the DEP setting to allow installation, just as with the anti-virus software, made no difference at all.

Into Safe Mode again, repeat the process. DEP doesn't give message this time, but the installation fails anyway... "Setup has encountered a problem and needs to close... etc"

Downloaded your second file, the Rootkit checker. Installed it without problem, result: no threat detected.

Man alive I wish I had not bought this machine. Take note anyone coming to China tempted by cheap knock-off hardware.

 

Yes, and it made little difference to the problems with the machine.

Anyway finally I decided to simply cut the Gordian knot. I ran into a techy friend in the supermarket yesterday and he is reinstalling the operating system for me.

Thanks so much for your time and suggestions!

:wave