Windows Explorer Nonfunctional

Recently, Windows Explorer has become completely unusable on my computer. I use Windows XP Professional, and every time it starts up, either Explorer shuts down automatically, without any messages, or says:

"The instruction at [insert hexadecimal number that varies] specified memory at [insert another hexadecimal number that varies]. The memory could not be 'read.'" Or sometimes "written" instead of "read," but it's usually "read. "

This happens every time Windows starts, and every time I try to re-run it through Task Manager. In fact, I have to run everything through Task Manager, because without Explorer I have no desktop and no taskbar. Any solutions that don't involve a reformat/reinstall?

Thanks in advance!

-Marmolo

 

Hello Marmolo,

First, determine if it's malware:

Go to Quicklinks at the top of this page > Recommended links and if you haven't done so, download/install Spybot - Ad-Aware - MS Anti-Spy, update them and then do the scans.

Download HijackThis from here http://radiosplace.com/ latest version 1.99.1

Download it to it's own folder, for example C:\HijackThis - unzip (double click on zipped folder) - click on the execute - click scan button - click save log and save to the folder you just created *DO NOT FIX ANYTHING* - copy resultant .txt file and paste into your next post.

If not - a repair of XP, can't fix IE by itself, it's too embedded in the OS

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Regards - Charles

 

Those are good suggestions, charlesvar, but if the computer without the desktop is not sufficiently functional, he might try running sfc, or, if he has a friend who can help, get a copy from a working computer and copy it over the useless one. Hopefully, then he can proceed with the rest.

 

Sorry--I'm in the same boat as u

Hey--read my thread: "help my icons.... " It seems like we share some of the same problems...as I cannot access anything but through the task manager.

 

I've posted at TomCoyote and they determined that my computer was malware free, so that's out.

I also tried System Restore and the XP Repair feature, neither of which fixed the problem.

I'm hoping against hope there's something I can do...

 

Hello Marmolo,

From what you're posting, I don't think you have much choice - you're going to have to re install the OS.
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_pro_install_-_graphic.htm

Hope that user data is backed up or that the OS is on a partition by itself.

You might also look into drive imaging.

Regards - Charles

 

Check the RAM if a re-install doesn't work.

 

I agree with Surferdude except maybe check the ram before you reinstall. Sounds like it could be a memory error. I see you've labled yourself beginner but I'll ask this anyway. Are you overclocking things? If so, set things back to the default.

 

Windows Memory Diagnostic

 

Ran the memory diagnostic, and everything came up clean. Haven't physically inspected the memory yet though. In the meantime, I'm backing up my significant data. Thanks for the assistance!

 

Hi Marmolo,

When you do look phisically at the memory sticks: if you have more than one DIMM slot, If there is only one stick, try the the empty slot. If more than one, try pulling one out - switching them, in other word try different combos. At the very least, it'll free up crud.

Regards - Charles