Explorer.exe crashes

This is driving me crazy (Win2k). When I right click on c:\ (or any other drive) and then try to go to properties I get an error message saying that "explorer.exe has generated errors and will be closed by windows ". My desktop then crashes and restarts. I have tried stopping all non essential processes, done numerous virus scans, registry scans and spyware/adware scans. Nothing out of the ordinary shows up. The only thing I found that was strange is that the file SHELL32.DLL in the Windows/system32 directory has a different date and size than the version on my other computers running Win2k. When I go to the Microsoft site to look at versions of shell32.dll the version on the problem computer cannot be found. I don't see how this file could have been replaced. I have tried using msconfig to reinstall the correct version but I can't seem to "expand" the file even after a reboot. Any suggestions?...........Greg

 

Greg, Sounds like you have some garbage registered as a property sheet handler.

Go download this tool: http://www.snapfiles.com/download/dlshellexview.html

Sort by the column 'Type' and scroll down to Property Sheet entries. Disable anything that doesn't say microsoft. Reboot, and see if you are still crashing. If not, start enabling the ones you whacked one at a time until you find the one thats misbehavin.

 

It might be working

Joe- I have done what you said and it seems as though it may have solved the problem. I will probably know for sure within the next few days. I still don't understand why my shell32.dll file has a different date and size than my other computers running Win2k. I have installed all the service packs etc. Anyway thanks for your help and I will let you know if my problem is solved...........Greg