Windows explorer keeps crashing

[denisblu]

Hello all,

I have Windows 7 on a Dell desktop. I formatted it a few months ago. It was working for 2/3 months as if it was new. Since last week, everything is working except that windows explorer keep crashing. There is no way for me to use it. Same problem in safe mode. I tried the sfc scan tool in Dos. He found issues but says that it cannot resolve them. I also tried all the restore points available but the restoration is always blocked by some error messages. I have no access to msconfig. The detail in the error message says that the dqveclnt.dll is damaged. I tried to move the explorer.exe file to another folder but I cannot do any moving manipulation as explorer crashed immediately. I cannot format again since there is no way to back up without going into the explorer. There should be a solution? Is it a malware or a virus? Malware bytes did not find any threat. I also run cc cleaner. Unfortunately nothing helped so far: Let me know what you think and how I can fix this.

Denis

 

[Megahertz07]

Lets do the basic fist.
- Schedule a disk check. Open a CMD window and type chkdsk c: /f . it will ask if you want to schedule to next start = yes. Pay attention on the results, specially bad blocks or bad clusters.
- Do a System File check again. Open a CMD window and type sfc /scannow

Report

 

[denisblu]

Thank you. I am doing a sfc : scannow again. Where do I get the report once it is done?

 

[denisblu]

The sfc /scannow is done. It says windows resource protection found corrupted files but was enable to fix some of them
It says to consult the cbs.log but how can I open the log without access to windows explorer. It is a real nightmare. HEEELP :/

 

[denisblu]

I made progress!!! I did a clean disc and removed what I could there. There was a 20 go from a previous windows installation. I create a new user profile. Then I reboot the computer. Upon reboot it did a check disc and then before starting, it did some reconfiguration of windows (including windows update). If I log with the new user account; the problem is GONE! Windows explorer works!! However, on the old user profile, we still have the problem. Any idea?

 

[denisblu]

Well correction. Windows explorer in the new user account is working as long as I do not go to my computer. If I click on my computer, then it crashes again

Do you see a solution?

 

[Megahertz07]

Good you fond a way to have Explorer.
Did you run check disk?

You can move all the data files to the new user you created and then delete the problematic account.

 

[Marie SWE]

Hello
Try to make a system restore and back to a restore point 2-3 weeks back.
//Marie

Edit: There's nothing to lose by testing, if it can resolve it provisionally, so you can access to backup your data

 

[denisblu]

Actually the explorer in the new account works as long as I do not click on the mycomputer. If i do, then same crash story. All restoration attempts I tried does not work

I am stuck. What can I do?

 

[Marie SWE]

Then I can only recommend to make a bootable USB stick with Linux Mint and copy out all your data that way.

Edit:
I ran into the same thing as you, but with Windows XP(ten years ago) system restore worked for me that time.
When I ran into January's update, the only solution was save my data with Linux, then a reinstallation of windows

 

[denisblu]

Do you mean that there is no way to fix this issue? It seems impossible. I format this computer 2 months ago. They HAVE to be a way to do it

 

[Marie SWE]

I've had computers that crash within a week, just because a incorrect update or an installer has sabotaged file system. If a hard drive goes bad, it becomes write errors and crashes the whole or part of the file system.
It maybe possible to fix it, but often all troubleshooting and all fixes will take more time and work then reinstalling. If explorer crashes and if no AV program or malware program can detect viruses and system restore does not work. Then it can be very difficult to find the cause and solve it.
But yes, It is probably possible. The question is just how much time and work you are willing to put to solve it. Reinstalling the entire computer with programs and updates takes about 3-5 hours

The best way is to make a clean install and only with all drivers, basic updates and all security updates up to the monthly updates begins. Run disk cleaner, and make a windows system image.. After that install all other microsofts updates, and then all programs, browsers and so on .. If the computer works fine then.. run disk cleaner and then make a new system image..
Then in the future if something happens.. it's only going to take you about 10-20minutes to fix the computer. (always have regular backup on personal data files)
The first basic system image you made is always good to have lying around for the future, considering all the small updates that have to be made before the monthly updates came.

 

[Megahertz07]

You can try a Repair install Repair Install - Windows 7 Help Forums
It will reinstall Win 7 and keep all your programs and data.
For the updates, use the offline SP2 and then the security ONLY updates. MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

As Marie suggested, is a good idea to have basic installation disk images. Macrium Software | Macrium Reflect Free
After a clean install with all drivers set I install the SP2 and the security ONLY updates. Then I make a disk Image so I can restore it very easily.
Windows collects a lot of trash over the years so every two years I restore the image and reinstall my programs. The performance gain worth it.

 

[denisblu]

Great tips! Thank you so much!! I ended-up taking out the hard disc and copy all data on another computer. The copy is at 99%. Almost done!!! I agree I already spent too much time on that. Interesting note: the hard disc keep disconnecting and reconnecting while I am doing the copy. Do you think that it means there is a problem with the Hard Disc?

 

[Megahertz07]

Did you attached to the other computer on a SATA port?
If the hard disc keep disconnecting and reconnecting that isn't a good sign. Your disk may be dying.
After you have all your data backed up, run a diagnostic tool. WD and Seagate has their own tool.

 

[denisblu]

Yes. I connected it using the USB and the connection at the back of the hard disk. I GOT MY DATA BACK (100%!!!). Now the question is: should I buy a new hard disc? How do you run a diagnostic tool? Using another computer like I did to get my data back?

 

[Marie SWE]

Wonderful that you managed to save all data. Then you will not have to worry that something is lost.
What is the brand of the HDD? WD, Seagate, Hitachi...

The easiest/laziest way is to use the other computer to run an diagnostic.
Is it possible for you to connect the hard drive via sata instead of usb?

 

[denisblu]

It is a seagate HD. Well I prefer not to connect it via sata on my other computer. Maybe I can put it back in its original computer and test it there? What do you think? The Sata connection is more recommend for the diagnostic?

 

[Marie SWE]

It is safer to use Sata and more reliably.
You can use the other computer's DVD sata cable for the test. Windows will not change any settings if you temporarily use it. If you want to be 1000% safe, you can always create a restore point before disconnecting the DVD.
I usually do it myself and I just put the computer into sleep mode as I switch the devices. (which is not recommended) The computer should be turned off completely and disconnect the AC power before changing a device.

Here you have a link to a guide for Seagate https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/manuals/innov8/hard-drive-tests/

 

[Marie SWE]

I will try to find a better guide
You can try to reinstall the hard drive into your computer and see if you are using the other account where explorer works and if its possible to install the test tool