Failed Update

I was trying to update my wifes' Internet Explorer from version 4 to version 5.5 sp2 and something went horribly wrong. Now her computer boots o.k. but it stops and says that Explorer has caused an invalid page fault, so, I have to shut it down. I can access her computer from mine after it boots to the point where I get the error and can see everything on her hard drive. Isn't there some way that I can change the settings back to their former state and get her computer working again?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. BTW- any attempt to use scanreg to restore her system fails.

 

Hi woodyb1
Welcome to the boards. Can you give us the full and complete error message?

Daizy

*edit*
Oops....forgot about scanreg:
Start the PC and just after the first window changes to the next, Tap the F8 key until you see the Safe Boot menu.
Then select Command Prompt Only from the menu, press Enter.
At the C:\prompt
Now type in scanreg /restore and then press Enter.
A window will pop up, to scan the system and then you can select a Started Registry file just prior to the error from the next window.
Use the Up/Down arrow keys to select the Started Registry file and then press Enter, wait till the system has finished restoring the file and then you will be asked to re-start the PC.

 

says that Explorer has caused an invalid page fault,

If it actually says EXPLORER and not IEXPLORE it is a Windows System error not IE. Even though IE may have caused it.

Going from 4 to 5.5 SP2 may be to big a jump also.

Were you doing an on-line install or did you download IE first ?

On-line installs can present problems if there is any little glitch during the install process.

I would be careful of what you run while that error stills exists. Especially with it stopping at the point that is does. Windows is not operating correctly.

EXPLORER is a main Windows OS file. There has been something added ( or changed ) that it does not like.

What version of Windows do you have ?

I believe your best and safest thing to do right now is to have a go at re-installing Windows.

You might also try a shot at hitting F8 at bootup and see if it will boot into the safe Mode. Then restart into the normal mode. If it don't fix things I would again suggest a re-install over top.

Daizy
You missed this.

BTW- any attempt to use scanreg to restore her system fails.

I did too until I re-read the post.

BillyBob

 

Thank you Daisy and billybob. I have been having problems with my DSL provider recently, which is why I haven't responded sooner. My wifes' computer is a Hewlet Packard 4450 running Win 98. Her software is unique in that you do not have to format the hard drive and do a complete reinstall. I was able to fix the problem just doing a restore. However, she then tried to install AOL ( Latest version ) and it happened again. I guess I'll have to save whatever files I can and do a clean install if a " restore " doesn't fix it this time around. I just did the restore and her system is working O.K. now. I would still like to know what the heck is happening and how I can fix this problem if it Re-occurres?
I really do appreciate all the responses! Thanks Again!

woodyb1

 

Hi woodyb1
I'm going to resist any comments about AOL (Ugh) and say that there's no definitive answer here, except to wait and tackle any error messages as they occur.

Daizy

 

This update should go without a hitch. It would be wise, if you can, to choose the advanced options in the IE setup and download the entire setup program. You can then retry the setup without having to download again.

I would resist the suggestion to restore your registry until you have tried other things. This will only make the computer unaware of any new files and may really muck things up.

Try running scanreg from a boot floppy, or scanregw if you can get into Windows. Try repairing your present registry first.

Also run scandisk from a boot floppy or from Windows, if possible.

Try starting in Safe Mode and going to Add/Remove Programs to uninstall the update and return to IE4. Then retry your IE upgrade.

AOL requires a newer version of IE than 4 to run. It is included on the AOL disk. If you don't mind the "provided by AOL" along the top, you can use the one provided and save yourself the time of redownloading IE.

(The AOL customizations of IE can be removed easily, if you like, later).

 

Could be part of the problem.

Any problems with the ISP can create all sorts of problems for downloading files and/or on-line updating.

BillyBob