Icons disappeared: Error Signature Appname=Explorer.exe

I'd problem with my windows xp as all the icons had disappeared with the following pop-up message :

Error Signature
Appname=Explorer.exe
Modver=5.1.2600.3541
Appver=6.0.2900.3156
Offset=000e93f
Modname=Kernel32.dll

I'd tried the windows button,parked the mouse at the start button's default position and right-clicked on the mouse,restore function,delete cookies and temp files...but,the error message still remained.

If I used the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys for new task,I'm able to use IE to surf the internet,but,the taskbar is missing ! I'm not able to turn on the audio,shut down the computer with the start button,can't find the control panel in order to remove some of the softwares...etc.

It'll helpful if someone can advice on the following :

1 ) What should I do in order to solve this error signature problem ?

2 ) How to find the control panel ? I need it to turn on audio and remove some of the software which may caused this problem.

3 ) How to get back the taskbar ?

4 ) I'd tried to delete all the cookies and temp files by using =>internet option.However,when I run the commamd of c:\\windows\temp and tried to delete all temp files over there and encountered problem as some of the them can't be deleted with the messges of - This file is being share with other programs.MAY I KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF THEM ?

Thank you for your time and efforts in helping me for these problems.

 

Hi brightstar,

First, when you say the taskbar is missing, is the clock and Start missing, too? If so, then try this: scroll your mouse all the way to the bottom of the screen as far as it will go. Then hold down the left mouse button and move your cursor up. Sometimes the taskbar can be hidden accidentally.

Second, if you can open anything, at the top click on Tools | Folder Options | View. Scroll down about ¾ of the way and you'll see the line, "Show Control Panel in My Computer. Put a tick in that box and close out.

Third, what happens when when you hit the Windows Key (between ctrl and alt)? Does anything open?

Fourth, do a ctrl+alt+delete and click on the Applications tab. At the bottom click on New Task. Another window will open and in that window type in, "explorer.exe" (without the quotes), then click OK.

Any joy?

Or, right-click on the Desktop and select "Arrange Icons By" and a sub menu will open. Make sure "Show Desktop Icons" has a check mark by it.

 

Hi jpChris,

Thank you for your prompt replied to my problem.I'd followed your advice with the results :

1 ) Yes,the clock and start button are missing ! I should say the whole taskbar is missing ! I'd scroll my mouse all the way to the bottom of the screen as far as it will go. Then hold down the left mouse button and move your cursor up,nothing happened.

2 ) I tried this instruction on IE,but can't find any folder option ! - At the top click on Tools | Folder Options | View. Scroll down about ¾ of the way and you'll see the line, "Show Control Panel in My Computer. Put a tick in that box and close out.

3 ) Nothing,after I hit the Windows Key (between ctrl and alt).

4 ) After followed the instrcution,the pop-up error signature message appear on the screen - Do a ctrl+alt+delete and click on the Applications tab. At the bottom click on New Task. Another window will open and in that window type in, "explorer.exe" (without the quotes), then click OK.

It seems like no response at all whenever I right-click on the Desktop,it didn't show any sub menu ! - right-click on the Desktop and select "Arrange Icons By" and a sub menu will open. Make sure "Show Desktop Icons" has a check mark by it.

 

Hi PeteC,

I'd tried to hit F8 function key while booting the system,it seems like no response at all.What should I do ?

 

Hi PeteC,

I'd tried to run the msconfig command on new task (Windows Task Manager) and put a checkmark next to the safemode followed by reboot the system.While in the safemode,the error signature still appear there and it didn't response to anything.

 

I'd followed your advice with these results,however,I didn't answer it and proceed further.

c:\>chkdsk /r
The type of the file system is NTFS.
Cannot lock current drive.

Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another processor.
Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the nest time the system restarts ? (Y/N)

 

I'm sorry didn't followed your advice eralier on,anyway,I already type Yes to run the chkdsk command.It took five steps in this process and I saw there were few correction and deleting of files.Unfortunately after the reboot of the system,it still came back to the error signature message as in the begining !

Please kindly advice on what should I do ? Thank you.

 

I don't have any CD as my windows xp is pre-install/OEM version.Thank you.

 

I'd checked with Lenovo regarding my problem over windows xp,they told me that it'd a hidden recovery function which can solve this problem by using F11 key.It'll format the HDD and restore all default setting by itself.I still hesitate to go down that route as I'd purchase few softwares through the download method from the vendor's site without hard copy ( CD ) and installed in my computer.
I'm sorry for late reply and thank you for your helped.

 

Hi brightstar,

Give this a shot and see if it works:

1) Go back into msconfig > tools - highlight Command Prompt > launch

2) From the command prompt, type cd C:\Wiindows\System32\restore

3) Follow step 1) again and from the command prompt, type rstrui.exe

If no joy, then take PeteC's advice and hook up your drive as a slave. Once you've done that, then navigate to the programs you downloaded and copy the ".exe" files to a CD.

Then re-hookup your drive and do the F11 repair\recovery.

If you have problems installing the programs, then go to the site, explain what happened, provide them with whatever proof of purchase they need and you should be good to go. And don't forget to do what PeteC says: "Always save the download to HD as opposed to Run and make a backup copy on CD. "