dead explorer.exe

[sixtyandaquarter]

Hey.

My explorer.exe will not start, and when i start it via a new task threw the task manager (which appears to be the only way for me to open programs) the computer will either:
1) crash. the computer shuts down and restarts and tells me there is a "fatal error recovery"
2) pop up the classic windows error message, and error report message. if i chose not to send the error report, explorer.exe simply closes down again. i'm left at an empty screen except for my task manager - if i send it it crashes.

Regardless at seemingly random intervals, the computer decides to crash regardless - and when i turn this thing on again, i receive the same "fatal error crash".

How do I fix this?
It occurred when I went to reinstall Internet Explorer.
All I did was download, install/validate, restart - dead.

Thanks.

 

[Prexus]

Are you using an illegal version of Windows XP that can't be Validated properly?

 

[arcthemonkey]

For the record, iexplore.exe is Internet Explorer. explorer.exe is Windows explorer, as in the program in which things like windows, the start menu and taskbar, an basically everything else you use to interact with you computer exist.

If explorer.exe was dead, your computer would start up to a blank desktop, if at all. Even error pop-ups are from explorer.exe. So, my question is this - what exactly is your problem?

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

first: nope, as far as i know everything's legit and legal. ie was able to validate, it was on restart this happened. i have no clue why installing iexplorer would affect explorer - but unless something else in the background happened, i've nothign else to go on.

and secondly, arc, i'm aware of iexplorer and explorer not being the same - though i did not explain that well. but thanks for pointing that out.

here's what i see on my end, when i start my computer and after the windows logo displays:
nothing. i have my desktop background. that's it. no start prompt, no nothing. absolutely nothing, other than the background. i hit ctrl + alt + delete to get my task manager up, and i have to open programs (such as firefox) threw that.

i can not open certain programs however, like notepad.

if i open explorer, the error message pops up (or crashes as stated before) and then if i look at the task manager, it will close the moment i hit "don't send". explorer vanishes from my "image name" column in the task manager. it shuts down.

the only thing that isn't "system" that is on, is "devldr32.exe" (no clue what that is). and things liks svchost (network and local service).

everything else is dead. that's my problem.

if i sound testy, or i'm rambling too much, sorry i'm just really tired and aggravated/annoyed.

 

[Anonymous]

Even error pop-ups are from explorer.exe

No, they're not. They're most often from the windows auto debug utility called Dr. Watson (most commonly drwtsn32.exe).

Updated windows recently? It was all over slashdot recently that one of the updates microsoft pushed caused a silly amount of computers to have problems. Try updating again, if you can.

 

[BlackHe♥rted]

have you tried using Command Prompt?
Try this:
Get a safe system files replacer.
Get a fresh explorer.exe(preferably from another computer)
Replace your current explorer.exe with the new one.
You can run the replacer application in a lot of ways.
1.When you dowloaded it, it will prompt you to ask "run" "save" "cancel" thing. Click Run.
2.Try using the command prompt to run it. Type in the full directory of the replacer app.
3.Ask a friend to send a replacer app. If the IM service enables the app to run after transfer, then run.

Usually explorer.exe lies in (letter of drive):\windows\explorer.exe(if you're using windows XP/NT/ME/98/etc NOT Vista)

Did that help?

 

[JD_Slasha]

I remember having that problem a long time ago. Unfortunately I had to system restore. That's what you might hafta' do...

 

[arcthemonkey]

Honestly, I jump at just about every opportunity that forces me to reformat my computer. If you can back up, that's going to do a lot more good than harm.

System restoring to before you did whatever killed your computer may also work. That's usually my first resort when anything happens. Get spyware? System Restore. Download a game I don't like? System Restore. Neighbor's Dog won't stop barking? System Restore. Works 99.9% of the time.

 

[holloway]

Stick the Windows XP disk in and do a repair installation. That'll replace explorer.exe with a fresh copy.

 

[~Atlaswing~]

I agree with TSA, i had that problem too. It crashes though it doesnt give a fatal error message, just restarts.

Repair installation of XP.

 

[Cruelty]

the only thing that isn't "system" that is on, is "devldr32.exe" (no clue what that is). and things liks svchost (network and local service).

"Devldr.exe is a background process that is required for your soundcard to function correctly. The process has been reported to cause problems for some users, however cannot be removed as it will prevent your soundcard from working.

devldr32.exe is considered to be a security risk, not only because antivirus programs flag DevLDR32 as a virus, but also because a number of users have complained about its performance.

DevLDR32 is likely a virus and as such, presents a serious vulnerability which should be fixed immediately! Delaying the removal of devldr32.exe may cause serious harm to your system and will likely cause a number of problems, such as slow performance, loss of data or leaking private information to websites.

The Process Server database currently registers devldr32.exe to Creative.

This is part of Creative soundblaster drivers."
http://www.auditmypc.com/process/devldr32.asp

That might be part of the cause, if you dont think it's your soundcard driver. Of course lots of malware use the names of normal processes to try to confuse people. I have a creative soundblaster card, and that doesn't show up, though.

 

[holloway]

Why don't run a virus scanner via your Task Manager's run command?

 

[Chiyo Osaka]

Cruelty, when you say Creative, does that mean that when you install a Creative sound card and it's drivers, devldr32.exe gets installed too?
If so, you may have just saved my computer. Maybe.

My sound card blew a while ago, so I bought a Creative SoundBlaster Audigy sound card. About 5-6 months later, I think my computer contracted a virus, and now it barely functions. Is it because of that devldr32.exe thing?

 

[Buster]

I had this exact same problem after my brother got home from the Navy and looked at too much porn on the Admin account... >.<

System restore worked for me.

 

[Anonymous]

I think I had the same issue a while back, I opened an internet browser using ctrl+alt+delete and running google.com and then downloaded a new explorer.exe.

In hindsight this could have been a little risky, downloading something from the internet into the system folder, but it worked.

 

[Cruelty]

Cruelty, when you say Creative, does that mean that when you install a Creative sound card and it's drivers, devldr32.exe gets installed too?
If so, you may have just saved my computer. Maybe.

My sound card blew a while ago, so I bought a Creative SoundBlaster Audigy sound card. About 5-6 months later, I think my computer contracted a virus, and now it barely functions. Is it because of that devldr32.exe thing?

I'm not really that knowledgeable when it comes to viruses.. There's a chance that the process IS a virus, I mean, it seems a little fishy that it's the only thing running besides the vital system processes. If you can download a virus scanner, and run it, that'd be a good idea. That's one way to see if it's a virus.. and delete it. Worst case scenario is that you have to re-install your soundcard.

I'm not sure if that'll help your explorer.exe problem, though. Have you tried repairing windows via the installation disc?

If you REALLY want to fix this, and nothing else works, then a format is not a bad idea. Just upload all your vital data to a gmail account or something, format, and download it to the fresh OS. I format all the time.

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

Damn...
I was hoping system restore wasn't the solution because I don't have the disks for it. This comp was given to me as just the tower and monitor, nothing else. no disks of any sort, including the windows xp disk.

But, I see other possible solutions, so I'll kick those around and see if they work. thanks, everyone.

edit: (didn't see two pages)

yeah, i'm using a gmail ftp thing to upload all my importants to gmail. thank god firefox still works, no other browser works (but that's not related)

I'll check more into this dvldr32 thing - but other than a mere curiosity to me, I don't believe this has anything. all my scans and such pop up as no virus' found, no malware, spyware - whatever i look for, nothing comes up.

 

[PeteD2S]

Dude, open, if you manage to, the Start menu, programs, acessories, system tools or something like that, then System Restoration? (i have portuguese version so i dont know the name in english) something like that anyways. Then choose to restore the system to a day before the incident. thats how you restore it. if you cant open start just go the easiest way:
Execute rstrui.exe. you dont need any disks to use the tool, automatic backups are made into your HD.

 

[Cruelty]

He can't open the start menu, that's part of explorer. =\

And I hope you get this sorted out, man. I had a similar problem.. my system file that was needed to load the login screen at startup was corrupted, and I had no windows disc to repair anything. =\ I know what kind of trouble you're having. Good luck.

 

[zalo34]

Take your have fun smashing the computer chips in your computer. Then take it to a computer fixer dude and have it patched up. That or buy another windows disk to reinstall windows.