Windows XP: "Cannot start shell application"?

[omega113]

Every time I boot up my laptop, when Windows XP is starting up I get an error

message that simply says "Cannot start shell application" with an "OK" button.

This error box always comes up and pauses my whole startup until I click "OK".

How do I go about removing this error message?


omega

http://nachofoto.com

 

[kestrel1]

Go to Start - Run & in the box that appears type:
msconfig
Press return. You need to then go to the Startup tab in the window that appears. Check through to see what is running at startup. If there is anything you are unsure about post back with details of what is running.

 

[linney]

When you finally get started, check out this location in the Registry.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Check that the Value @ Shell = Explorer.exe (and not something else).

Malware of all kinds should be eliminated as a cause by running the appropriate scanners, things like Ad-Aware, Spybot S+D, and a decent Anti virus scanner.


You can also see if you get this message in Safe Mode?

Does the message occur before logon? If not try logging on as another user in Normal Mode?

System Restore might be worth a try too.

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

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



310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

This free program will give a very detailed idea of all your automatically starting process.

AutoRuns for Windows v9.21

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx