Explorer.exe and drwtsn32.exe running constantly and crashing shell on Windows XP
Have seen this on 2 different computers now and am completely baffled. When running in normal mode the computer boots fine and then once logged in as a user on the computer, the desktop locks up and then reappears after 30 seconds or so. Look in task manager and see explorer.exe and drwtsn32.exe running. While watching the task manager both will disappear and you will see the desktop refresh again and do the whole cycle again. Have fixed the 1st computer by formatting and reinstalling Windows XP on it. But the second computer has just come to me with the same issue and I am hoping there is a better way as this person doesn't have all their recovery disks. I have run SuperAntiSpyware on these computers with current updates and run Symantec Anti Virus Corporate Edition with all updates and has not fixed the problem. No funny entries in msconfig startup section. Please Help!!!
ASKER
At this point I have spent so much time on the previous one my head is spinning. Should I post the results of the autorun for you to look at?
ASKER
had you run antivirus scan also?
ASKER
Yes. Have just finished updated SuperAntiSpyware scan and Anti Virus scan. SuperAntiSpyware scan found 2 items and repaired but after reboot. Taskbar is not refreshing but no evidence of drwtsn32 in task manager. Will wait a few minutes and then post back.
ASKER
That did not fix the problem. Still same issue with drwtsn32.exe and explorer.exe reappearing in task manager. Did you look at the Autoruns data results yet? Thanks.
download and install combofix:
www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix
and malwarebytes:
www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix
and malwarebytes:
www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
ASKER
Have run both and they have not fixed the problem.
had you try windows repair?
ASKER
tried that on the previous pc and did not fix. Like I said I have tried everything I can think of but to no avail except formatting and starting over. That did work with the first computer. Even tried shellviewex to see if some shell extensions were out of whack. Still puzzled but since I have a couple of days on this pc would like to find the fix that works besides OS reinstall. Thanks.
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ASKER
Will try and let you know what happens. Interesting link.
goodluck mate
ASKER
Nope that didn't fix it. Because I am only getting errors in event viewer and not any errors on the desktop with Send report etc. I don't think DEP is a factor but am open to anything. Thanks for the effort.
ASKER
Could this be a corrupt windows update of some sort? Could reapplying XP Service Pack 3 be a fix? Just want to know if you have heard anything about the updates released on April 15th because that is the last batch of updates that was released prior to this problem.
ASKER
So far so good on the Windows Updates theory. Uninstalled all of them and the computer is working great. Will reinstall one at a time to find out which one breaks it in this case and then may send a message to MS. Thanks for your additional suggestions and eyes on the problem Houssam. I am awarding the points and will update before closing. Thanks again.
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Good job mate
http://home.comcast.net/~SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html
it could be that there are some programs lunching up that you didnt recognize