Computer problem. Need help!!

[Feraud]

Hi all. I hope our local computer experts can give a suggestion for my problem.
I downloaded some program that was meant to clean viruses. Once I
rebooted, I now get a message "Explorer.exe application error 0xc0000005 Click ok to terminate". After that it goes to a blank desktop. I can still use alt+ctl+del to open some stuff, but can't open explorer. I don't know what to do from here. How can I restore the explorer.exe that the program removed? I tried system restore, but it won't open.

Thank you!
Feraud

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

found this on a messageboard...

If you are running Windows XP... click Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the Windows Task Manager... then go to File and select New Task(Run...)

Type in the search box:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe

click OK and this should bring you to the System Restore program that Windows XP has built into it. Then just follow the steps to restore your computer to how it was at an earlier time before the problem. Then just reboot your computer and it should be fine and still have all your files, folders, and programs intact

 

[J. M. Stovall]

That's an easy fix.

apple.com

 

[decodoll]

This in Internet Explorer, right? Not Windows Explorer? I would go to add/remove programs, remove Explorer, then download a new copy here and reinstall. I assume you have another browser to get to the internet with since you posted this here. Sounds like you corrupted Explorer when you installed the antivirus program. Hope this helps.

Oh...then go buy a Mac.

 

[Feraud]

Thanks for the replies!

That's an easy fix.

apple.com

Easy but costly!

This in Internet Explorer, right? Not Windows Explorer? I would go to add/remove programs, remove Explorer, then download a new copy here and reinstall. I assume you have another browser to get to the internet with since you posted this here. Sounds like you corrupted Explorer when you installed the antivirus program. Hope this helps.

Oh...then go buy a Mac.

It is Windows Explorer that is missing. I cannot do anything on the computer right now. I am posting this from work.
I will try Miss_Bella_Hell's suggestion tonight and hope it works.
Dumping the computer for a Mac is not an option until I get my photos, etc. from this one! My wife also suggested we go for the Mac.

 

[Pilgrim]

If you hang out out on other boards, you know that Mac vs. PC is almost a holy war, but usually more from the Mac side, as they tend to respond to every request for help with "Get a Mac". A less helpful response is hard to imagine.

I have never had major problems with a PC, but I do work through most of those I encounter. My observation is that Macs have many fewer problems, but their owners are less capable of dealing with then when a problem does manifest, as they have little experience in problem-solving (just my opinion and observation). Also, the PC is the platform of the world. (And in a personal note, the terms and operating system in a Mac make no sense to me, so I ain't going there. Ever.)

My suggestion would be to boot into safe mode and remove the last program added. It's likely to be the problem.

Here are the directions for booting into Safe Mode from Windows Help:

1. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click Shut down.
2. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
3. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.
4. Use the arrow keys to highlight the appropriate safe mode option, and then press ENTER.
5. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
6. In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers (mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system services, and no network connections). You can choose the Safe Mode with Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and the essential services and drivers to start networking, or you can choose the Safe Mode with Command Prompt option, which is exactly the same as safe mode except that a command prompt is started instead of the graphical user interface. You can also choose Last Known Good Configuration, which starts your computer using the registry information that was saved at the last shutdown.
7. Safe mode helps you diagnose problems. If a symptom does not reappear when you start in safe mode, you can eliminate the default settings and minimum device drivers as possible causes. If a newly added device or a changed driver is causing problems, you can use safe mode to remove the device or reverse the change.
8. There are circumstances where safe mode will not be able to help you, such as when Windows system files that are required to start the system are corrupted or damaged. In this case, the Recovery Console may help you.
9. NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

Typical response from a PC person to the typical response of a Mac person.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

At my last corporate gig we had around 250 employees, and were 90% Mac. There were 5 pc tech support people and one Mac support guy. Almost every Mac person knew how to solve whatever small problem arose. The few PC people always needed help, they were clueless.

And your simple 9 step solution to his problem really cracks me up.

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

Typical response from a PC person to the typical response of a Mac person.

Dude, you're just proving his point. Mac people. [huh]

Anyway I like Macs but my boyfriend's is constantly giving him trouble.

 

[scotrace]

And on the other side

Here are the instructions for resolving the same problem on a Mac (with OSX):

1.*















* Trying to think of an instance in which a Mac would eat the key to the whole file system.
(I'm really not into re-wiring my toaster every week, either)

 

[scotrace]

Dude, you're just proving his point. Mac people. [huh]

Anyway I like Macs but my boyfriend's is constantly giving him trouble.

PM me details. We'll get him fixed up.

 

[Pilgrim]

Yup, another typical response from a Mac user. To each his own, and a tip o'my hat to you!

I freely grant that there are repair-capable Mac users. I just don't happen to have met many of them.

The general rule with most computers is that if you install something and then have problems, un-install it and see if that fixes the problem. Then you can tackle the problem with a working computer. Safe mode is just a convenient way to get in and remove things.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

You know I'm just kidding . It's a well kept secret, but with your new Mac comes a small pamphlet on how to needle PC people.

 

[Pilgrim]

I kinda figured. Different machines for different users.

When it comes to graphics, animation and a number of other applications, I think the Mac is the better machine.

 

[J. M. Stovall]

And without PCs, the lines at bank would be much slower as the tellers organized their iTunes collections.

 

[scotrace]

When it comes to graphics, animation and a number of other applications, I think the Mac is the better machine.

Microsoft must put that line in the pamphlet on how to annoy Mac folk.

 

[Twitch]

"At my last corporate gig we had around 250 employees, and were 90% Mac. There were 5 pc tech support people and one Mac support guy. Almost every Mac person knew how to solve whatever small problem arose. The few PC people always needed help, they were clueless.

And your simple 9 step solution to his problem really cracks me up."

If any of you have seen the South Park episode about smugness and hybrid cars you'll know how this comment hits the mark but also how assinine this sounds.lol

 

[J. M. Stovall]

If you hang out out on other boards, you know that Mac vs. PC is almost a holy war, but usually more from the Mac side, as they tend to respond to every request for help with "Get a Mac". A less helpful response is hard to imagine.

I have never had major problems with a PC, but I do work through most of those I encounter. My observation is that Macs have many fewer problems, but their owners are less capable of dealing with then when a problem does manifest, as they have little experience in problem-solving (just my opinion and observation). Also, the PC is the platform of the world. (And in a personal note, the terms and operating system in a Mac make no sense to me, so I ain't going there. Ever.)


How is my comment any more assinine than this one, they seem pretty equal to me. Any anyway, we were just ribbing each other. Maybe you should read all the posts.

 

[Feraud]

ding-ding Alright boys. Mac, P.C., back in your corners!
End of round 1.
I will try the suggested tips and report back tomorrow. If they don't work we can get really nasty tomorrow.

 

[Feraud]

found this on a messageboard...

If you are running Windows XP... click Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the Windows Task Manager... then go to File and select New Task(Run...)

Type in the search box:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe

click OK and this should bring you to the System Restore program that Windows XP has built into it. Then just follow the steps to restore your computer to how it was at an earlier time before the problem. Then just reboot your computer and it should be fine and still have all your files, folders, and programs intact

Bingo! Miss_Bella_Hell your suggestion worked like a charm. Our p.c. is back! Thank you very, very much!! I appreciate your help.