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Windows Explorer has stopped working loop.

2K views 10 replies 2 participants last post by  Hy-Def 
#1 ·
When I boot my computer, I get the Windows Explorer has stopped working error. If I cancel it, it appears again in 3 seconds or so. Safe mode does the same thing, system restore is from a date after the error started.

I tried a regedit trick somebody mentioned, but the Explorer.exe key I'm supposed to see isn't there.

I've tried sfc /scannow but it doesn't help either.

I'm thinking of doing a repair install, but if there's any faster solution to this, it's appreciated.

It's Windows 7 Ultimate. 32-bit.
 
#2 ·
Faster solution? Dunno, reinstall might be pretty quick in comparison.

I would do a malware test first, then try to get some information from the crash itself with a clean boot. Also check if there was a new program, or update.. or driver update that happend the date it started. I think all that takes more time than a reinstall. =S
 
#3 · (Edited)
Well, I tried the system restore and it worked only partially, because now it doesn't bring the error on startup, but only when I open certain folders and right-click on folders and stuff like that.

I would have reinstalled but the only disc I have is really old and it's not working well I found out.

Do you have a malware testing app you recommend?

It started as soon as I turned it on, although not at startup. This was 2 days ago, then I installed VS 2012 Ultimate, which apparently caused it to do it on loop. I restored to before this date, but I dont know of any other drivers or programs that might cause this.

So how exactly do I do a 'clean boot'? I have no idea.

EDIT:Well I just Google how to do a clean boot so don't worry about that, but I realized that the only application in the list of services after hiding the Microsoft services is my avast anti-virus, which happens to have expired. I just renewed the license, so I'll try and see if somehow that solves the problem... I haven't been home for 6 months so the computer hasn't had my attention.
 
#4 ·
The avast registration didn't help so I attempted a clean boot, but after hiding all the Windows services, avast is the only one left, and when I unchecked it and restarted it was back with a checkmark. I even unchecked it then went back without restarting and it was checked again. Pressing apply just fills in the check box as well.

I'm going to download Malwarebytes to see if that can solve anything, although I've already done an avast scan with no luck.

Could hardware cause the problem?
 
#5 ·
Could hardware cause problems? Yah, but I think you would see it in more than just explorer.

For malware, I usually keep Avast! and Malwarebytes. Also, HijackThis can help too.

Since now it happens when using explorer and getting a context menu, I would suspect an extension. Use ShellExView and see if you can find something to disable.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Well, Malwarebytes is still scanning,but when i plugged in my phone to drop the setup for ShellExView(with numerous errors popping up as i tries to do this.) it eventially went back into its looping again and still is.

Anyway, i dont know how to use this ShellExView thingy... Help, please.

EDIT: Well I googled something about the program and saw that I should try disabling 3rd party extensions, that didn't help though even though some of them are context menu related.

I really have no idea what to do now..
 
#7 · (Edited)
Well the problem signature says:

Problem event name: InPageError
Error status code: c000009c
Faulting media type: 00000003

Just in case that might be of any help.

EDIT: I think I've found what's causing it. In event viewer, I have 2 errors that follow each login. One says:

- Windows cannot access the file c:/users/me/appdata/local/microsoft/windows/explorer/thumbcache_96.db.
I did read something about thumbnails causing this problem and I would change it to icons except for the fact that I can't navigate that far without the error popping back up.

The other error says:

- Faulting application name: Explorer.exe
Faulting module name: msvcrt.dll

There's a bunch of other stuff under that one, but this is apparently the juice of it. Is it possible for me to copy that file directly off the installation disc and use it to replace the offending one, once again, if I can get that far?
 
#8 ·
Can't access? Corrupted, missing... permissions? You can try and delete them files using the command line. You could also try to disable thumbnails, if you can use explorer enough to do it. Or maybe edit the registry directly.

Also, check the disk for errors while on the console: chkdsk /f

Though with all this time you're spending... reinstalling would've been quicker.
 
#9 ·
I've done the chkdsk with no luck...

The installation disc I have is really beat up and is kinda temperamental. When I tried it earlier, it got to about 80+% before stopping, but when I tried it a few minutes ago it stopped at 25% and 7%. :(

My last thought is, is it plausible for me to hook this hard drive up to another computer, restore the msvcrt.dll file with a new one and delete the thumbnail file?
 
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