Windows Explorer & Advanced Start Menu shut down when folder selected

[chezzam]

I am using Windows 98 2nd Edition. When I open Windows Explorer, I can only get as far as clicking on a folder before it automatically shuts down. I can click on a file without any trouble. I can also navigate from folder to folder using the keyboard, but only for a few seconds or so before it again shuts down. This has been happening for the last couple of weeks or so but I can't put my finger on anything that may have caused it.

The same problem occurs when I use the advanced customization option for the Start Menu. However, if I go to My Computer, select c:\ drive & choose to View Folders, it will function like the normal Windows Explorer without any trouble.

Have thoroughly virus checked, run Adaware 6, Spybot & The Cleaner to no avail. Reinstalled Windows - didn't help. Have searched the net for a solution and apart from finding one other forum where someone also had the same problem (no solution offered) can find no reference to any similar problem.

Anyone got any ideas? Don't really want to have to do a totally clean reinstall if I can help it!

 

[TekTippy4U]

Sounds like a hardware problem maybe
Possibly overheating by a bad CPU or mobo or PSU...though
you'll have to take it apart and test it before the
.....and/or memory maybe.

How long will it run thru My Computer?
What does the shorcut to explorer say?? right click/choose properties

press CTRL + ALT + DEL on the machine to run Task Manager to see what programs were running.
if Explorer.SCR was running, it's actively eating up a good portion of CPU and memory resources.
if so;
You've got the Kazaa Benjamin worm

Go Start>Run REGEDIT
go down to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"System-Service"="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\EXPLORER.SCR"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft]
"syscod"="0065D7DB20008306B6A1"

and delete these two entries in bold

and do a find in REG from the Edit menu for Explorer.scr and delete the strings
see here

http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/benjamin.shtml

and

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.benjamin.worm.html

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[chezzam]

Tnx for responding. Re the possible hardware issues: will get around to checking them out shortly, but firstly let me reply to your other q's.

When accessed via My Computer it will run for as long as needed - no probs at all. Works just fine.

Shortcut to Explorer says: C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n, /e, /select, c:\ Have tried changing this to simple c:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE without the switches, but still behaves the same.

re Task Manager: no Explorer.SCR - just the usual Explorer

re Registry - can't find any reference to any of the entries or strings you mention.

Still struggling with this prob so tnx again. Much appreciated.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Really does sound like a virus/bot if you can run it in My Comp w/no prob.

Go Start>Run MSCONFIG
Win.ini tab .....
[windows] [Desktop] [Desktop_Shell](if you have this)
load= Current=win
run=
(whatcha got?)
The switches are fine except "/select" that i know of
The /n =new
The /e =explore

try this in the line
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e, c:\ -OR-
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n, /e, cnotice the spacing)
also this try;
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.SCF (.scf=SystemChannelFile)

It sounds also like the "NameSpace" may be corrupted....
that, and Explorer.exe may be too....
the name space thing i don't even fully understand, however if you have yoour 98 CD...Explorer.exe can be replaced..
What version of Explorer.exe.?????
look at properties for that

It also sounds like it is triggereing a "shutdown" command
a "Run32.dll"

Your Shell32.dll Shdocvw.dll etc.may be corrupted as well....
As long as you have the 98CD....should be no prob. replacing

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Oh yeh....while in MSCONFIG..look at the Startup tab for weirdos
and under the System.ini tab this only for shell=
[boot]
shell=explorer.exe

Even the Config.sys and the Autoexec.bat files tabs may have nonsense that loads at startup
Look there also


TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.