Win Explorer Closes When Right Click 1

[don26812]

· A couple of days ago, Windows Explorer began having to close when right-clicking on Start.
· The current symptoms are as follows:
? Right click on Start Explorer needs to shut down.
? Explorer runs ok from Start > My Computer
? Explorer needs to shut down if right-click on folder icon to see its properties.
? Whenever Explorer shuts down, I lose the Norton Antivirus icon in the right hand corner system tray. It appears to be still running, however.
o Explorer shuts down if I try to make a new folder via Fill > New > Folder

Probably other things are not working right, but the above is what I have noticed. Copying/deleting seem to work ok.

I Ran Antispyware and Defender Beta 2 and no problems found.
· Ran Norton Corp and no viruses were found.
· Ran Easycleaner and removed 18 objects from Registry.

I am running Windows XP Home Edition on this PC. Did I get hit by a virus of some sort? How do I fix this?

TIA

Don S.

 

[Diancecht]

Just in case:

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=4163

Cheers,
Dian

 

[don26812]

Dian,

I did look at the FAQ, and it does not seem to address what I am seeing, but like you said, "just in case". However, running msconfig and looking under services, I see that WIA has a check mark by it. Now what?

Thanks for the reply. Is there anything that I could have turned off in Startup. I have made some changes there, but not in the subject time frame.

Don S.

 

[don26812]

I am still looking for a way to repair Windows Explorer's problem that causes it to close as described above. Is there a repair tool of some sort that I can use? Would it do any good to boot in the Safe Mode and see it it works - just thought of that.

Can I/Should I reinstall Windows XP in some way so as not to have to reload all my applications etc?

TIA Don S.

 

[linney]

Right-click is slow or weird behavior caused by context menu handlers

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

ShellExView v1.13 - Shell Extensions Manager

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Some general things to try.

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

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?). Also try a different User and see if it is a corrupt Profile problem.

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

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

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

 

[don26812]

Hi Linney,

THanks so much for the several things to try. Now I just have to go implement your suggestions. I'll report back with my rsults - hopefully saying that my right click has returned.

Don S.

 

[don26812]

Dian & Linney,

A Progress Report:

1. I was unable to restore Windows to an earlier date. Each time I tried (5-6) with the last date only a few days ago. I received a message that said Windows was unable to restore to that point. Why???

2. Right click problemn still present in SAfe Mode

3. Chkdsk ran without any errors.

4. System File Checker ran ok

5. Running verify Unsigned drivers I came up with 28. At this point, I was not ready to begin removing/renaming them one by one as suggested in the article.

6. I had installed a Wacom grpahics tablet a few weeks ago. It experiences same right click problem. However I did download the latest driver, but it had no effect on the problem.

I have a couple more links you guys suggested to look at, but it is beginning to look like I may have to reload Windows and then bring it up to date again. This is something I was trying to avoid if possible.

Any new thoughts?

TIA

Don S.

 

[linney]

This sometimes works when System Restore is playing up.

Start your computer in Safe Mode, no networking.

NOTE : You must log on as the administrator or a user that has administrator rights.

Start, Run, CMD\

c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Follow the instructions on the screen to begin restoring your computer.


Problems with System Restore
thread779-718085

To answer your question as to why System Restore sometimes fails. It will never restore your computer to a point in time where the configuration of your computer (at that restore point) is faulty.

If all else is failing you may have to try the repair install of XP.

 

[don26812]

Linney,

Thanks for some more good things to try. I am not exactly sure I understand what you mean by the following, however:

"If all else is failing you may have to try the repair install of XP."

Is that something different than just reinstalling XP over itself?

TIA

Don S.

 

[linney]

I was referencing this earlier link.

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

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

"Is that something different than just reinstalling XP over itself?"

No, they are one and the same.

What is different is when you format and clean install XP, let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Have you tried another user in case it is a corrupt profile problem?

Do you have any errors in the Event Viewer?

 

[don26812]

Dian & Linney,

Success! At least I think so.

Linney, on 3-8-06 provided a link on right click problems. Somewhow I never looked at that. Using the information provided I downloaded and ran ShellExView. As you know it listed all of the Context Menu handlers, among other handlers. The very first one I disabled using the program corrected the problem. Here is some information about that handler that the program provided:

Extension Name: Custom Shell Context Menu Extension
Description: shctxex
Product Name: VBExec Shell Extension 1.0
Company: Blank
File: ...\System32\shctxex.dll

It looks very suspicious to me. Have either of you heard of this file? Now that it is disabled, can I simply go in and delete it?

I wonder how I got it, and what program is responsible?

Thanks so much for the help you provided! I apolgize for taking so long to try one of your early suggestions.

 

[linney]

No apologies needed, the amount of rubbish I post, I wouldn't read them either.

videozilla ??????, does that mean anything to you?.

http://www.short-media.com/forum/printthread.php?t=32688

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
Thread779-979113

Ewido

http://www.ewido.net/en/

 

[don26812]

Linney,

Onr man's rubbish is another's nugget of knowledge. After I posted my note, I Goggled the dll file name and found a discussion on Videozilla. It turns out I have that program installed - I'll be removing it shortly. What's interesting is that the problem only surfaced about three weeks ago. Videozilla has been installed for 3-4 months.

Go figure.

Thanks again for the help. Don't be surprised if I'm back soon with another problem on one of my other PCs. It has been on the back burner for awhile, but I better get it resolved.

I'll give you guys a bit of a rest for now though.

Don S.

 

[tfg13]

Linney,
Great suggestions. Your star is on the way!