Help...missing shlwapi.dll after Windows Update

[tamaraw]

Long story short, I did a windows update and it told me to restart and so i did. It sort of froze on the ME screen for a long time and then it said "missing shlwapi.dll file" "reinstall windows" " error loading explorer.exe reinstall windows". Right now I'm using a different pc obviously. If anyone can give me step by step instructions on how to solve this problem I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
al

 

[Styx]

Use System Restore to roll your computer back to a date to before when your computer worked right. Before the error(s) started occuring.

To start System Restore, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. Or, in the Help and Support main screen, click Use System Restore under Fix a problem. Emachines, Celeron 600, 256 Mb RAM, 10 Gb HDD, ADSL.

 

[tamaraw]

Well I know about the system restore feature on ME but it doesn't boot up all the way ...so i can't access my start button. I don't have any icons that load or task bar. Im just stuck with my wallpaper. Is there a way i could do it through dos? If i ever get this fixed, what is the best way to back up all my important files? Thanks for the help

Alex

 

[Styx]

Boot into Safe Mode and try System Restore:

(tap F8 five times per second during a restart; Choose option number three (3) in the Windows Startup dialog box using the arrow keys below the Delete key, and strike the Enter key; Click Ok when prompted) Emachines, Celeron 600, 256 Mb RAM, 10 Gb HDD, ADSL.

 

[tamaraw]

I've already tried safe mode...that was actually my first action that i took. I did however find a recovery cd that came with that pc but Im afraid to use it because im worried that it will erase all my files. Do you know if it will erase all my files?? Any other suggestions? Thanks for the help so far.

Al

 

[Styx]

Yes, the Recover CD will Erase/Delete all your files. If you have a HP computer, even though the Recover process has two parts - to either format and Recover the computer to the way it came from the store or, to replace just the drivers only. You must back up your sensitive data (Internet Explorer Favorites; Netscape Bookmarks, Address Book and Netscape Mail Folders; Outlook Express Address Books and Folders (compress any Netscape Mail or Outlook Express folders first) letters, pictures, databases, spreadsheets, music, etc.) to removable media for restoring later, just in case there's a unrecoverable error.

I would back up and do the format option though! It sounds as if your operating system is corrupted. Only the orginal hardware can be installed on the mainboard to do a Recover. No Add-in hardware.

One troubleshooting step I'd try first though:

Update your antivirus, temporarily disable your screen saver (choose None) and scan with your anti-virus set to scan All Files. Update and scan bi-monthly.

You can scan on-line to double-check your Windows scanner at

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

*** Mandatory (get a firewall of any brand) - Get free Zone Alarm personal firewall anti-hacker countermeasure from

http://www.zonelabs.com.

(not the ZA Pro demo) 'Don't let anything out to the Internet you don't know what it is.' Also please see

http://www.firewallguide.com/

for more information on why all on-line home computers should be firewall enabled.

Scan on-line for sure either eway.

I apologise for stating something you already know. Emachines, Celeron 600, 256 Mb RAM, 10 Gb HDD, ADSL.

 

[chrissy837]

Hey Whats up.. It looks like I am having the same error as the person that wrote this message... I recently downloaded the latest version and after that I rebooted. After that my computer froze and an error message came up saying Windows cannot upgrade from 1 to 2 %. I cant even get to my desktop. Does this mean I have to completly reformat my computer??? I hope not! Anyone has any ideas let me know! Thanks

 

[tamaraw]

One of my friends said that he can install another hard drive(master) and just transfer my sensitive data from the slave to the good drive and then i can reinstall my OS on the bad drive after the transfer is complete. Is this a good idea?

 

[Styx]

Tamaraw:

That idea would be fine just so you backup Before the Recover. The Additional Hard Drive (HDD) must be jumpered as Slave and I would think that you would need to temporarily uninstall the Add-in drive Before the Recover for the Recover to work correctly (90% sure). Please verify the data you desire is on the non or removable media before the Recover!

Emachines, Celeron 600, 256 Mb RAM, 10 Gb HDD, ADSL.

 

[Styx]

Chrissy387:

If you're having the same errors as Tamaraw can you use System Restore in Safe Mode?

(tap F8 five times per second during a restart; Choose option number three (3) in the Windows Startup dialog box using the arrow keys below the Delete key, and strike the Enter key; Click Ok when prompted):

Use System Restore to roll your computer back to a date to before when your computer worked right. Before the error(s) started occuring.

To start System Restore, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore. Or, in the Help and Support main screen, click Use System Restore under Fix a problem.

Emachines, Celeron 600, 256 Mb RAM, 10 Gb HDD, ADSL.

 

[chrissy837]

Well thanks for the advice.. but I couldnt even get into Safe Mode. What happened was I think I got a virus or Trojan horse through KaZaA.. so anyone that has KaZaA on their system now.. I would get rid of it..because I think that ended up being the problem. It corrupted my Windows and I couldnt even get on to my deskytop.. it froze everytime I turned it on.. So just a fair warning. DONT DOWNLOAD KAZAA.. 1. you can get trojans and viruses through there and 2. it has Spyware.. Just FYI!!! I had to learn the hard way!