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How do I fix explorer.exe crashes and get the icons on desktop to appear again?

When you log into computer you just get a blank blue screen with no desktop icons, start menu, task bar or anything else.  Also you cannot right click the desktop at all either.  This is a production server and the services running on it necessary for production continue to run.  So I haven't been able to reboot the server or try to bring it up in safe mode.  But I have been told by the rest of the IT staff that have looked at this many times that a reboot does nothing and still get just the blank blue screen

It is Windows Server 2003.  It is a production server and connects to a SQL server as well.  I don't know when the Server was installed but I have been informed that the problem I'm looking into has been happening for some time.

The only way I can get to anything is to remote in with Dameware and then launch a Cntrl+Alt+Del command.  I can then go to file "new task" and get to command prompt, browse to other files, etc..

I try the new task of launching explorer.exe  and it launches for just a split second and is gone again.  No icons appear on desktop though.  I then check the event viewer by launching new task evntviewer.  The application has error  "Faulting application explorer.exe version 6.0.3790.3959, faulting module explorer.exe.

The task manager also has many warnings in the message "Timed out sending notification of target device change to window C:\\Windows\Explorer.exe"   The source name is:  PlugPlayManager

The other thing I was able to check was the device manager and drivers are all in place.  

Any thoughts on how to approach this and fix this problem.  The backups have stopped working on it now too and our backup admin cannot do anything because he can't see any icons, etc.. when he logs on.

Any help appreciated.  Thinking of trying a sfc /scannow    Any thoughts on that?  Problem is it will have to be done at night during maintenance period and I don't know if the OS is Service Pack 1, 2, etc.. so what disk it will need if I run that.  HELP

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ArdentJW
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Boot computer holding down F8. Boot in Safe Mode.

When inside, Click START > then Right Click on COMPUTER
Click Properties.

It'll tell you what Server version you're running and if there are any Service Packs.  Sounds like it may not have the latest SP.  So check there.

If not, download and upgrade the OS.  Often times its fixes a ton of glitchs.
It almost sounds like explorer isn't started.

I think that is a MSconfig startup process:

Go to start>>Run>>type in msconfig

select the startup tab and see if it is selected to start and remain as a terminate and stay resident program upon bootup.

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Compservtechs

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ChiefIT,

It does seem to be the explorer.exe process that isn't starting.  Problem is I can launch and start it but it crashes 1second later.  Getting to task manager starting new task and launch explorer.exe.  Opens up and right away goes away.  Think it might be corrupt and going to try a sfc /scannow to replace corrupted files.

Trying your suggestion and looking at the startup tab in msconfig does not show that process or service to be started.  But I compared that to my own computer and another server just like this one that doesn't have this issue and explorer.exe isn't listed on any of those in startup either.    So not sure about that.
Going to be trying the sfc /scannow tonight.  I would like to know what files it replaces though.  If a log is kept somewhere???   Any ideas on that?  Or other suggestions on this problem?
Damn:

I have seen this before and fixed it without SFC /scannow. Let me research to jog my memory.
Can you run a Hijackthis on there to see if we have bugs? Hijackthis is a .exe file that you should be able to run off a writeable storage disk, like a 3 1/2 floppy. Or you could try and run it from a CD/DVD drive.

http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html
well this server is a production server so it can't be down long and will require me to probably schedule another maintenance period if I have to start going more into spyware removal of any kind.  But I will see what things look like tonight and keep posting.  Thanks.
Your not running symantec are you?
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I was reading on a Symantec issue where explorer wouldn't open. However, if you performed SFC /scannow and it resolved the issue, then it was definately a corrupt explorer.exe file or a system file that was required for explorer to work.

I will continue to watch your progress. But, it sounds like all is good.
I'm going to post a new question on SFC /scannow and windows server 2003.  To find out if there is a log file that is created somewhere that will tell me if it replaced files, etc...  I would like to document which files it fixed if it in fact did.  But I can't find any information on this command actually logging that data.  maybe it doesn't.
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could you please post the new question link ?