Fix PC Errors Blog

Windows Explorer is the executable that serves as the interface to the Windows operating system and as such it has its share of problems. This is the second article in a series that will deal with various Windows Explorer related issues.

Windows Says You Must Re-Install

After starting your computer in Windows 98 or Me, you may see a blank desktop and get an error message like this:

Error loading EXPLORER.EXE. You must reinstall Windows.
Explorer.exe [program_name]

where [program_name] is the name of a program.

After receiving the error your computer may hang or restart. You may also see this behavior in Safe Mode. This happens when Windows Explorer is set to run a program automatically on startup which is missing or damaged. Sometimes this can be a virus or Trojan horse.To fix the problem, you will need to edit the System.ini file and remove the program. You should also scan your computer with anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Follow these steps to repair Windows:

1. Use a startup disk to boot to a command prompt. If you don’t have a startup disk you will have to get one made on another computer. If no one you know is running Windows 98 or Me, you can visit www.bootdisk.com to make a boot disk on another computer.
2. Type C: and press ENTER at the command prompt.
3. Change to the Windows directory by typing CD \Windows and pressing ENTER.
4. Type Edit System.ini and press ENTER to edit the System.ini file.
5. Using the arrow keys, find the line starting with shell=Explorer.exe, in the [boot] section of the System.ini file.
6. Insert a semicolon in front of the test, so the line looks as follows:

   ;shell=Explorer.exe [program_name]
   

7. Using the arrow keys, move to the end of the line and press Enter to insert a new blank line.
8. Type Shell=Explorer.exe on the new line. The file should now read as follows:

   shell=Explorer.exe [program_name]
   Shell=Explorer.exe

9. Save the file by pressing ALT+F, then S.
10. Exit by pressing ALT+F, then X.
11. Remove the startup disk and restart.

Windows XP Quits When You View My Computer

While trying to use Windows Explorer to view items under My Computer, you may get an error if the Folders Explorer Bar is turned on:

Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please tell Microsoft about this problem.

This can happen if you have installed programs from the Kodak Picture Software CD version 1.3 or earlier, like Kodak EasyShare: Camera Connection, Picture Transfer, and Picture Software. Removing these programs using Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel will fix the problem.

Windows Explorer Quits When You Map a Network Drive

When you try to map a drive to a network share or Web location using Windows Explorer, Windows Explorer may exit with one of the following errors:

Windows XP:

Explorer.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Windows 2000:

Access Violation

Explorer.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log is being created.

This can happen if the length of the mapped network drive name exceeds 300 characters. You can fix this by installing the latest service pack for Windows XP or 2000:

Windows XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

Windows 2000:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.mspx

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 15th, 2007 at 4:41 pm and is filed under Errors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.