windows explorer crash loop

beebah · 13 Dec 2010

Hi I would be really grateful for any assistance or advice.

When ever I turn on my computer (even in safe mode) I get a constant loop of warning messages telling me that "windows explorer is not working" and "windows explorer is restarting". I have free AVG antivirus which says it needs to be updated but the connection always fails when I try. I also have Zone Alarm which has told me that my computer is connected to another computer or network and asked what security setting I would like to put on it.

Do I have a virus? how would I find out which one?

Nick

brianzion · 13 Dec 2010

hi welcome to the forums so while in safe mode can you do any tasks? i would remove any security software you have and install Microsoft security essentials

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ if you can run this (not in safe mode)

Perform a SFC Scan

1. Click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow

2. Type the following command, and then press ENTER:

sfc /scannow

A message will appear stating that 'The system scan will begin'. Be patient because the scan may take some time

3. If any files require a replace SFC will replace them. You may be asked to insert your Windows 7 DVD for this process to continue

4. If everything is okay you should, after the scan, see the following message "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations"

5. After the scan has completed, close the command prompt window, restart the computer and check.

more information here

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

brianzion · 13 Dec 2010

in my experience of explorer.exe crashing i have always looked at the shell that controls the context menus in the system using ShellExView v1.50 - Shell Extensions Manager

link ShellExView - Shell Extension Manager For Windows
disable any 3rd party items (not windows items) you see in the list you right click with the mouse on the item, then you see a context menu to disable the item as in the pic with the arrow and re-boot pc when done.

Shell Extensions are in-process COM objects which extends the abilities of Windows operating system. Most shell extensions are automatically installed by the operating system, but there are also many other applications that install additional shell extension components. For example: If you install WinZip on your computer, you'll see a special WinZip menu when you right-click on a Zip file. This menu is created by adding a shell extension to the system.
The ShellExView utility displays the details of shell extensions installed on your computer, and allows you to easily disable and enable each shell extension.

ShellExView can be used for solving context-menu problems in Explorer environment. For more information, read the following article:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

beebah · 15 Dec 2010

Thanks for responding.
I'm not able to take off the old security software as wiindows explorer crashes every 5-10 seconds closing the window that I'm trying to remove the programmes with!
What should I do?

brianzion · 15 Dec 2010

can you Perform a SFC Scan
can you download Shell Extensions Manager
can you boot into safe mode
can you system restore
if not
can you boot from windows disc
can you use repair disc

these two last options will give you the choice to run command prompt so you can run the SFC Scan or system restore

How to Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

System Repair Disc - Create
DOWNLOAD THEM FROM HERE

System Recovery Discs for compatibility with Windows 7 (make sure you use 32 or 64 bit download for your system type)