If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Cannot access Windows Explorer. Please Help!
I have a nagging problem and I'm asking for HELP.
Several days ago while I was on the internet, my anti-virus program identified that I had picked up a virus. It quarantined the bug, and I thought all was well. I shut down my system, and sometime later after turning it back on, I got an unwelcome surprise. I could no longer access Windows Explorer, My Computer, My Documents or the Recycle Bin. When I clicked on any of these programs, my system would just lock up. Then I would have to do a complete system restart. All my other programs work fine. I re-ran my anti virus program several times, but it did not pick up any viruses. I also ran Ad-aware with no results. After doing some trouble shooting, I have determined that the only way to get these programs to function is by starting my system in Safe Mode. I tried to isolate the anomaly in MSCONFIG with no results. This is what I have determined. By hitting the F8 key I enter the Windows 98 Startup Menu. I choose # 4, Step-by Step Configuration. Then I select Y (yes) for each selection until I reach, Load All Windows Drivers. If I choose N (no), the problem is eliminated. If I choose Y (yes), my problem persists. I have no idea how to identify what Windows driver or drivers have been corrupted. Is it possible to rectify the problem by removing the Win.com file in the Windows directory and reinstalling Windows 98 SE to get clean Windows drivers back. I read somewhere in one of the newsgroups or web sites that this will allow me to reinstall Windows on top of itself and keep my existing settings. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm hopeful that I will not have to reformat my hard drive and then reinstall Windows. Thank you. Fred |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Cannot access Windows Explorer. Please Help!
Running the Repair options in the free Microsoft utility
called TweakUI for Windows 98 might restore the missing functionality. http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstati...ads/PowerToys/ Networking/NTTweakUI.asp Renaming the win.com file is only of any use if you want to upgrade to say Windows 98 SE from Windows 95 or the first version of Windows 98 and you only have the full version on CD, not the upgrade version. You should make a master image of your system and record it to CD-R or CD-RW disks. I use Norton Ghost. Or you should at least clone the system to a second hard drive on the system or removable by using, say, the free XXCopy from http://www.xxcopy.com/. Eric, http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/ http://www.sharedbirthday.co.uk/ -----Original Message----- I have a nagging problem and I'm asking for HELP. Several days ago while I was on the internet, my anti- virus program identified that I had picked up a virus. It quarantined the bug, and I thought all was well. I shut down my system, and sometime later after turning it back on, I got an unwelcome surprise. I could no longer access Windows Explorer, My Computer, My Documents or the Recycle Bin. When I clicked on any of these programs, my system would just lock up. Then I would have to do a complete system restart. All my other programs work fine. I re-ran my anti virus program several times, but it did not pick up any viruses. I also ran Ad-aware with no results. After doing some trouble shooting, I have determined that the only way to get these programs to function is by starting my system in Safe Mode. I tried to isolate the anomaly in MSCONFIG with no results. This is what I have determined. By hitting the F8 key I enter the Windows 98 Startup Menu. I choose # 4, Step-by Step Configuration. Then I select Y (yes) for each selection until I reach, Load All Windows Drivers. If I choose N (no), the problem is eliminated. If I choose Y (yes), my problem persists. I have no idea how to identify what Windows driver or drivers have been corrupted. Is it possible to rectify the problem by removing the Win.com file in the Windows directory and reinstalling Windows 98 SE to get clean Windows drivers back. I read somewhere in one of the newsgroups or web sites that this will allow me to reinstall Windows on top of itself and keep my existing settings. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I'm hopeful that I will not have to reformat my hard drive and then reinstall Windows. Thank you. Fred . |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Cannot access Windows Explorer. Please Help!
Have a look in the Quarantine folder for info on the name of the virus, =
then go to your AV app manufacturer support site and look it up for = proper removal if it was in fact installed on your machine. Take a look in Device Manager to see if you find the culprit = device/driver gone astray. Boot up in Safe Mode, press ctrl+alt+del and end process on all except = Explorer and Systray. Run a full system virus scan with fully up to date = definitions. Then while still in Safe Mode, run the below. Ad-Aware is only the tip of utilities needed these days for spywa **It is pertinent to run the update for each program before running to = be sure you have the latest definitions.** Run the programs in Safe Mode = after assuring you have shut down all running tasks except explorer or = systray. Download/run Cool Web Shredder from: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html For Info on Cool Web Search Variants: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html Then download/install/run Ad-Aware to detect/rid of any other = parasites/spyware that may be installed. It can be obtained free from: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ After installing Ad-Aware, open it and click on the ref update to get = the latest up-to-date ref file, then run Ad-Aware and delete everything = it finds.=20 And/or download/install/run: Spybot - Search & Destroy: http://security.kolla.de/index.php?l...=3Ddownload=20 Run it at it's default settings until you learn an know more about it. = Spybot S&D is more of an advanced users tool and changing from the = default settings can be dangerous to the novice user. Items found in the = default settings that are RED can usually be safely removed. If you are = unsure of a found item, do not remove it and ask for help.=20 If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from: http://www.merijn.org/ Do not remove anything with it until you get advice on what to remove, = HJThis will list many apps that are needed along with the bad ones. = Removing items listed hap-hazardly without knowing what they are = can/will create a royal mess. Read the quick start here on how to create = a log file that can be copied/pasted into a forum that can provide = assistance on removal of unwanted pests. http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick Then post the logs to an appropriate NG here where they specialize in = spyware/hijacker removal: http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ After running the above and assuring you have a clean machine: It's also a good idea to have a HOSTS file to block bad sites, scroll to = HOSTS File Manager he http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm Another good app is SpywareBlaster which stops the badboys before they = even get a chance to install: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html --=20 Brian A. Jack of all trades, Master of none. One can never truly be a master as there is always more to learn. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Cannot access Windows Explorer. Please Help!
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Major Problem | Matty | General | 3 | July 4th 04 05:02 PM |
Start up problems | Bev mulcahy | General | 5 | June 28th 04 07:56 PM |
Can't access Windows Explorer Tools/Options | Elly | General | 2 | June 23rd 04 10:23 PM |
Why does windows explorer accesses the internet after starting | Jim | General | 4 | June 23rd 04 07:28 PM |
FLAWED Windows Explorer | Sergei | General | 2 | June 14th 04 02:32 AM |