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mathes

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explorer.exe suddenly crashes

Hi experts,

I have a very strange problem. It happens very often that the explorer (not the Internet Explorer) crashes on my PC.

I get this error message:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime error!

Program: C:\Windows\explorer.exe

abnormal program termination


           Ok



After I mouse click on "Ok", I alternatively
see 2 different situations:

a) If I am very lucky - despite the system instability status- I am still able to mouse click on "Start/launch an application/ms dos shell" and write "explorer" at the DOS prompt. After this the explorer restarts and everything works fine.

b) However - much more frequently - situation b happens:
After I mouse click on "Ok", the system tray is no longer visible. All I can see the background wallpaper. There is nothing to do for me except to press <CTRL>+<ALT>+<DEL> and restart my PC.

I should mention that I lately installed many Freeware tools from the Internet. In former times my Windows 98 worked very fine. But now, after installing the Freeware tools, I have this problem with explorer.exe
(Well, ok, never change a running system. But now it is already too late for this advice)
I am afraid that one of these Freeware tools has damaged an important system file of Windows 98.
As I installed very many Freeware tools, it is very difficult to narrow it down which application causes my problem.

So, how can I repair my Windows 98 installation? Is it neccessary to reinstall Windows 98?






Avatar of slink9
slink9

Does this apply? - http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q206/5/16.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0&qry=explorer%20abnormal%20program%20termination&rnk=1&src=DHCS_MSPSS_gn_SRCH&SPR=W98
Check out Windows Update (on your start menu) and see if there are any updates available which may just fix this problem.  Also try Start-Run-SFC and see if there are any corrupt files you can replace (have your Win CD ready).
Try running msconfig and remove any apps you don't need to start.

Since this started happening after installing freeware apps, have you tried uninstalling them to determine which freeware might be causing the problem.

You could restore the registry, but you'll have to reinstall the freeware apps, and the problem might come back if it is due to one of them. To restore registry reboot to DOS and run scanreg /restore and pick a date before you install all the freeware.

NOTE: While the scanreg would possibly a quick fix the ideal thing to do would be uninstall all the freeware apps first then if you have to restore the registry.

Regards
Oops, when you run msconfig click the startup tab and remove any programs you don't need to start automatically.
If you can't repair it, a SETUP /P f may fix it by redoing the registry but leaving the programs alone.
I have seen this happen before on my computer.  I believe it was cleared up with an IE5.5 repair.  You may want to try that or upgrade to IE 5.5 if you haven't done that.
When this happened to me, though, a majority of the time it didn't cause any problems other than having to hit Enter to continue.  It also seemed to always be tied to Internet Explorer for me, although the program was Explorer.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Asta Cu
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To put the registry back where it was, go to the C prompt and type in scanreg.exe /restore. The other is to use Regclean.exe, this sometimes works when I get myself in trouble
Avatar of mathes

ASKER

Hi experts,

I want to give you a brief update. I meanwhile tried everything what you suggested, but the problem still persits, despite all my efforts.

And even worse: I can't see the headline of the Explorer.
The headline usually shows "file name", "size", "type",
"last modified", "attribute"...
All these colomns are not visible . All I can see is a dark black rectangle in the headline area of the Explorer.

Can anyone understand what is going on here?
 

Have you updated your video drivers to the latest?  It sounds as if it may be caused by corrupt video drivers.
Avatar of mathes

ASKER

Hello,

I didn'tchange the video drivers. The installed driver have served me very well during the last few years.
I had a computer that had messed up icons and I replaced the video driver and all went well after that.  Just a shot.
Hi, mathes.

Have you tried uninstalling all the freeware and then rebooting, running maintenance (cleanup/scandisk/defrag) AND rebooting at least three times?  Then, I'd recommend you check with WindowsUpdate as posted earlier to ensure you've got current fixes and patches that are free and resolve many issues both the the Operating System and Browser.

After that is completed, I'd also try this:  

start-run-msinfo32-tools  and run the DirectX diagnostics for your entire multimedia setup to see what driver and/or registry errors are defined as you run all the tests and then read the details for them.  Much help can be found in these processes.

I'd also try fixing the registry by doing a total normal shutdown, leaving the system off for at least 3 minutes to ensure that all TSRs, drivers, etc. are fully unloaded, then reboot holding the CTRL key and choosing MS Dos Prompt.  Then navigate to the windows\command directory.  If installed in the default, you'd type these things at the command prompt:

cd c:\windows\command

Then when you're at that prompt, type scanreg/fix and after the registry has been rebuilt, and problems resolved, reboot and advise.

As regards mouse anomolies, it is always surprising how much can build up on the wheels or a normal mouse in terms of hairs, dirt and the like which can create real chaos when trying to use the mouse.  It is a good idea, while the system is shutdown, especially if you have a cordless mouse, to open the mouse and clean all the wheels of debris and buildup.  A tweezers works nicely.


Asta
Avatar of mathes

ASKER

Hi experts,

I meanwhile solved the problem. I migrated to Windows 2000.

Actually I wanted to update later, but under these circumstances it was the best decision. Now my PC is up and running again. Let us meet again in the Windows 2000 forum...

What would you like done with this question to finalize it?  It contains excellent information and should not be deleted, but rather moved to the PAQ.

Moondancer
Community Support Moderator @ Experts Exchange
Avatar of mathes

ASKER

Hi,

to whom shall I give the points?
You could either give the points to whoever provided the most helpful information or send a request (and link to this question) to the CS link on the left to split the points.  You could also delete this question although that is not advisable due to the potential usefulness of this info to others.
Avatar of mathes

ASKER

Hello,

you are right, the comments are very instructive and helpful for many people. So I don't want to deolete it.
I have the impression that the comments of astaec are the most valuable comments in this thread. I hope the other experts are not angry with me now.
Hi, mathes.

Thank you very much for this award and the excellent grade.  I was very happy to be of help to you.  We are a great team here, and you shouldn't feel any of us would voice anger at your choices.  

Since I learned from Slink9 in this question as well, in terms of the experience noted that a video driver problem had been a cause for this as well, I've posted a question of equal value to award slink9 for the help.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qManageQuestion.jsp?ta=win98&qid=20136680

All is well, have a great day.

":0)
Asta
Avatar of mathes

ASKER

Hello again. I am happy to meet some many friendly experts in this forum. There is another forum where I twice had problems with the experts. The experts were unhappy with my rating. They say I rewarded the wrong expert with points. They said I don't have enough skill and knowledge
to understand and evaluate the answers correctly.
You did great, mathes.  I find that wherever one travels in this world, there are always going to be some people one can't please.  We all do the best we can.  This is a really great site and I've appreciated the experiences I've had here these past few years and find it to be one of the very best sites on the net in terms of quick turnaround, excellent information and a caring team.

Take care and best wishes,

":0)  Asta
to: Astaec:

I have been on this site for several years. I find it fun to try to TRY to provide comments to questions, since all a computer store wants to do is format your c drive, without telling you to save your your data etc, through dos.

I also have learned alot and saved many sites mentioned in comments provided.

Yes it is a great site and I believe it is the only professional free site on the internet. Also I am proud that I just got above my 10,000 points and recognized as an "expert" Now if they just replace the T shirt they sent me earlier. It is my lucky shirt for bowling!

Gonzal13
Joe
Congratulations on your attainment, Joe, and good luck on your bowling when the T-shirt arrives.

":0)  Asta