Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close

Windows XP Home, Sp 3

With nothing running except the screen saver, if I move the mouse to remove the screen saver, the message "Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close…" appears. If I click the message away, the computer usually returns to normal. Sometimes, however, clicking the message away leaves the desktop icons and taskbar blank. Rebooting then returns the computer to normal. On occasion, rebooting results in an unresponsive desktop and the computer must be restored from backup.

What has happened and how do I fix it?

Thank you

 

Thank you for the reply. In ShellExView I disabled all except for Microsoft Windows Operating System and Windows Internet Explorer. I was notified that disabling Internet Explorer might keep the system from booting.

The problem did not go away.

The "quick" way I'm testing for the problem is to go to desktop-properties-screen saver-preview and let it run for a few seconds. Then when I close it I get the error message.

Here is what "Error Properties" says:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 7/15/2011
Time: 12:50:31 PM
User: N/A
Computer: STUART-D3FD80EF
Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, faulting module comctl32.dll, version 6.0.2900.6028, fault address 0x0004906b.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat
0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail
0010: 75 72 65 20 20 65 78 70 ure exp
0018: 6c 6f 72 65 72 2e 65 78 lorer.ex
0020: 65 20 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 e 6.0.29
0028: 30 30 2e 35 35 31 32 20 00.5512
0030: 69 6e 20 63 6f 6d 63 74 in comct
0038: 6c 33 32 2e 64 6c 6c 20 l32.dll
0040: 36 2e 30 2e 32 39 30 30 6.0.2900
0048: 2e 36 30 32 38 20 61 74 .6028 at
0050: 20 6f 66 66 73 65 74 20 offset
0058: 30 30 30 34 39 30 36 62 0004906b
0060: 0d 0a ..

Suggestions?

 

If I disable the screen saver, the desktop will run indefinitely without any problem, I guess. I first noticed the problem when I got the error window often, but not always, when closing other programs. (Can't remember which ones) I discovered that it did it always when closing the screen saver, so I left the saver on to speed up trying ways to fix it.

Would working with Startup in System Configuration Utility be worthwhile to try?

The only thing I can think of is to shut down the screen saver and wait until the closing of one or more programs causes the error and then work from there.

 

Is it a screen saver that you have installed, or is it one that comes with windows. Does it happen with all screen savers or just with one particular one.

 

Try here:

[Admin:] URL removed.

 

Very sorry, I was not aware of that.
hawk22

 

Fingers crossed, I think I have accidentally solved the problem (only to open up another one).

I shut down the screen saver and went looking for other error signals. I then learned that the WinTV was acting up. The video would be blank on the right screen, although the audio was still there. When it was closed, an error signal appeared saying that "WlinTV has encountered an error and needs to close, etc." WinTV tech support couldn’t come up with an answer and thought it must be a display driver problem. So I then shut down the second screen and all the problems went away! (Hopefully forever!).

Now to the second display. When I first got the computer, the Catalyst control center for the ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series [Display adapter] was basically inoperative as far as creating a second display goes. I finally resorted to the desktop properties display setting method which seemed to work ok.. Although that may have been when the explorer and other error signals appeared. I didn’t notice the blank WinTV screen at that time, although I may have not been looking for it.

When it first appeared I located the manufacturer of the video board (Gigabyte) and told them the Catalyst problem. They were very cooperative, although the English language made things a bit difficult. They sent some software to detect what they called BIOS and gave instructions as to how to flash it to the proper one. Somehow I just don’t think that is the XP system bios, but must be something else that they call BIOS. I also couldn’t find out if this also updated the video drivers. I asked them about the BIOS and video drivers, but didn’t get an answer. Anyway, I was reluctant to make such a change at that point since the Desktop change seemed to be working.

Today I changed the Gigabyte "BIOS" and the Catalyst seemed to work ok. However, all the previous problem returned. The problem has always been more sensitive to displays which contain moving elements as opposed to static ones such as word processors, etc. Gigabyte has only been knowledgeable of the Catalyst problem, and has not known of the others. I will try to communicate with them about it, but don’t know how far I will get with their apparent limited English.

Somewhere in the past I seem to remember reading something about Windows XP not being very good with dual monitors but I don’t remember in what regard.

Having been accustomed to dual monitors, I don’t know how I will get along without them!!! If Gigabyte can’t come up with a solution I may be stuck. I have heard of Ultramon and Displayfusion but don’t know if they would be any better.

Comments?