The application explorer.exe failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005

[monak11]

After I log into my Windows XP Home Edition SP2 PC,the message, "The application explorer.exe failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005). Click on OK to terminate." pops-up. Then, my desktop and programs do not come up. I am not able to get to my desktop. I can do Ctrl+Alt+Del to get to the task manager and start a new task so that I can at least use my PC, but my PC doesn't work properly from the get-go. I have alot of information on the PC that I can't afford to lose, so I don't want to wipe-out the PC. All the information I find on the internet only tells me of the error but not how to fix it. I ran some updates but the system won't let me install all the updates. Do you know how I can fix this problem and why its happening? Thank You.
Norma

 

[smah]

I ran into this just about a week ago. Please confirm that the machine will run normally in safe mode (press F8 when booting). Also when in normal mode, bring up task manager as you mentioned then try to run explorer.exe - what happens?

Ultimately, I found 1 file that was causing this problem (I wish that I had written it down). I'm sure that we can find it again. On the machine that had this problem last week, I believe that it was due to an automatic update that didn't complete for some reason (I think one of the owners children manually turned the machine off during the update).

 

[linney]

While in Safe Mode try these.

Anything could be causing Explorer to crash. You might consider recent updates. Also consider any other changes you have made. Corrupted files and malware can cause this too.


See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.


Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650


If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[omardaniel]

I am having the exact same problem as monak11 & smah. The suggestions made here have NOT worked for me. Is there anything you extra you could suggest? Thanks a lot!

 

[linney]

Have you tried logging on as a different user in case there is a corrupt profile involved?

If you have already tried the repair install and the Safe Mode option without luck, I can only suggest you save your valuable data and consider a format and clean install.

You could try (after saving your valuable data) uninstalling via Add or Remove every Windows Update installed shortly before the problem first occurred. Uninstall an update one at a time and check the situation after each uninstall.

 

[smah]

I am not having the problem; I fixed it in the case that was brought to me. If it's the same thing, it's actually an easy fix (hard to find, but once found, easy to solve). To find out if it's the same problem, answer the questions that I posted above. Be sure to try all the user accounts in safe mode, including Administrator.

 

[omardaniel]

It seems to be the exact same problem smah. I have tried the all the previous steps without any luck. Can you tell me what you did to solve your problem? Thank you.

 

[spiker18]

I have the EXACT same problem... just prior to the problem happening, my virus protection software found a virus of some sort.... and it cleaned it.. ... I then ran a full system virus scan.. nothing found.. then ran Adware spyware and got rid of the spyware.. then rebooted... On reboot, i got the error that explorer couldn't initialize properly.

Everything works fine in safe mode... i can start IE from task manager, but not explorer.exe.. i get the same startup msg..

What are your suggestions?

 

[smah]

Start the computer in Safe Mode & log on as Administrator. I think the file that we're after is C:\WINDOWS\system32\inetcomm.dll Right click on this file & go to Properties, Security tab. Post back with the groups listed & their permissions.

 

[smah]

Also the post the version number please.

 

[spiker18]

Smah.... Okay... I don't know how to log in as Administrator... I may not have permissions for that as this is a new laptop for a new job... but I went to Safe mode and logged in as me, and viewed inetcomm.dll...

Administrator group has Full Control
Power Users has no Full Control and no Special Permissions, but everything else
SYSTEM group has Full Control
Users group has Read&Execute, and Read permissions...

I just saw your request for version number, I"ll have to go again and look for that

 

[spiker18]

The version number is 6.0.2900.2180

 

[smah]

That seems OK, but after I posted, I started thinking that that might not be the correct file. Also in the System32 folder, post the permissions & version of wininet.dll.

So, when you start in safe mode you don't have an account named 'Administrator' as well as your normal ones on the Welcome Screen - or are you not using the Welcome Screen?

 

[apeyton99]

hello everyone. i'm trying to fix my mother in-law's computer via long distance. i'm in PA, and she's in MD. she'getting the msg "the application failed to initialize properly (0XC0000005)"
i had her ctl-alt-del, and run explorer.exe, and it gave her the same msg. i also had her run safe mode with her own profile as well as the administrator, both of which upon loading gave her the same error msg again. it won't let her into the system. i don't want to reformat her hard drives, cause i'm not sure how we can get to her files. also, since i can't get into the system i can't do a restore. i'm stuck. any ideas?
thanks, andy

 

[smah]

apeyton99, because the true Administrator account also has the same problem even in safe mode, you might be experiencing a different problem. Check to see if this applies:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;873155&Product=windowsxpsp2

 

[linney]

It might help if all you people with this problem post your machine specifications and list the anti virus software you are using, and other security type programs, level of Windows updates and servicepacks, in order that we may compare your setup to see if there is anything common that is at the heart of this problem.

 

[spiker18]

All.. I gave up trying to "fix" this.. Instead, I went into safe mode, and did a System Restore from the day before the problem appeared...
All is well now...

For what it's worth, I am running Trend Micro Office Scan for AV software... and it did find a problem right before this error started occuring. but it must not have found it in time... Also using AdAware Spyware detection

 

[apeyton99]

smah... i appreciate your suggestions! unfortunately the workaround listed within the link you posted requires access via safemode, which we are unable to obtain. i'm unsure of what type of antivirus software my mother in-law uses, and also not sure of the specs of her computer, as i am trying to troubleshoot this over the phone long distance and she is practically computer illiterate. i was researching this problem, and it could be an issue with an automatic update of the service pack #2... still trying to figure it out. i guess i'll be making a trip to maryland next weekend to get some hands-on.

 

[tus1985]

My sisters computer is having the same problem. I was able to access it through safe mode as long as i used safemode w/ dos prompt, then i was able to perform the MS work around. This seemed to work, and i was able to make the changes to the boot file. However even starting up in the new OS profile does not work, same problem as before. I've pretty much decided to format the bloody thing as soon as a backup the remaining items (o what i wouldn't give for an external hd right now)

If anybody has any idea on how to fix this outside of reformating that would be greatly appreciated.

Rob

 

[apeyton99]

i'm considering reformatting as well, however... how do i back up important files without being able to access explorer?