Explorer caused error in Kernel32.dll

OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I have to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting your computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes just freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a Dell Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says there are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has shell=Explorer.exe. Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this message the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the whole operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used McAfee ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this problem started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but none quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I don't understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in plain English would be greatly appreciated.

You might find an MVP that can help if you post in an ME newsgroup--we do
Windows 98 here. You might want to take a look at this article before
reposting: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319581

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

My feeling is that it's caused by parasites.
Did you install Kazaa or p2p software?

Try this: Tools Internet Options Advanced Browsing
Uncheck the Enable 3rd party browser extensions

If this clears your problem then find out who the culprit(s) is/are
(Don't forget to reset this)...

Get AdAware and SpyBot and run them both. Keep them up to date.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Additional link:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

You may need this removal tool.
Mo Complete list by variant with up-to-date information.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Mo Removal tool: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

CWShredder - Tutorial
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...howtutorial=47

IMPORTANT:
Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware may kill your internet connection when it is
removed, this program will enable you to regain your connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html (if your OS is Win2k or
XP)

Important: "So how did I get infected in the first place?"
http://forums.net-integration.net/in...showtopic=3051

--

Henri Leboeuf
Web page: http://www.colba.net/~hlebo49/index.htm
===
"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

First, I apologize for being in the Windows 98 group, but the discussion group for ME has no links to go to, and I thought I heard somewhere that ME was a hybrid of Windows 98. Having said that, thanks for the reference, it fits my situation, I think. However, the address shown in that article says that ME errors show fault at 0177:BFF6BB07, while my Fault Log shows every address as 0197:xxxxxxxxx.

Anyway, now that I have the Fault Log (thanks again), how do I use it? The referenced article is really over my head.


"Ron Badour" wrote:

You might find an MVP that can help if you post in an ME newsgroup--we do
Windows 98 here. You might want to take a look at this article before
reposting: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319581

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

No apology required--we just need to get you hooked up with an ME expert.
There is enough of a difference between the two systems that it is possible
for a W98 user like myself to unintentionally provide bad information.

I am not following you about the no ME links comment. You are connecting
through the internet newsgroup interface and clicking on ME reveals several
sub areas. This is general information:
http://support.microsoft.com/newsgro...-us;newsgroups

I would guess that your problem is a carry over from the virus infection so
it is a question of if you can find someone who knows something about it.

From the memory address, I'd say the article I referred you to does not
apply.
--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
First, I apologize for being in the Windows 98 group, but the discussion
group for ME has no links to go to, and I thought I heard somewhere that ME
was a hybrid of Windows 98. Having said that, thanks for the reference, it
fits my situation, I think. However, the address shown in that article says
that ME errors show fault at 0177:BFF6BB07, while my Fault Log shows every
address as 0197:xxxxxxxxx.

Anyway, now that I have the Fault Log (thanks again), how do I use it? The
referenced article is really over my head.


"Ron Badour" wrote:

You might find an MVP that can help if you post in an ME newsgroup--we
do
Windows 98 here. You might want to take a look at this article before
reposting: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319581

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I
have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL.
Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting
your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes
just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a
Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says
there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has
shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this
message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the
whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used
McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this
problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but
none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I
don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

OK, thanks for pointing me to the correct site. Just one question before I go, though. I downloaded and ran CWShredder (scan only) like others suggested, and noticed one of the items it listed was "Found line in System.ini: shell=Explorer.exe". Isn't that line supposed to be in system.ini?

"Ron Badour" wrote:

No apology required--we just need to get you hooked up with an ME expert.
There is enough of a difference between the two systems that it is possible
for a W98 user like myself to unintentionally provide bad information.

I am not following you about the no ME links comment. You are connecting
through the internet newsgroup interface and clicking on ME reveals several
sub areas. This is general information:
http://support.microsoft.com/newsgro...-us;newsgroups

I would guess that your problem is a carry over from the virus infection so
it is a question of if you can find someone who knows something about it.

From the memory address, I'd say the article I referred you to does not
apply.
--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
First, I apologize for being in the Windows 98 group, but the discussion
group for ME has no links to go to, and I thought I heard somewhere that ME
was a hybrid of Windows 98. Having said that, thanks for the reference, it
fits my situation, I think. However, the address shown in that article says
that ME errors show fault at 0177:BFF6BB07, while my Fault Log shows every
address as 0197:xxxxxxxxx.

Anyway, now that I have the Fault Log (thanks again), how do I use it? The
referenced article is really over my head.


"Ron Badour" wrote:

You might find an MVP that can help if you post in an ME newsgroup--we
do
Windows 98 here. You might want to take a look at this article before
reposting: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319581

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I
have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL.
Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting
your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes
just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a
Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says
there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has
shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this
message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the
whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used
McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this
problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but
none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I
don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, I started going to some of these links, and it is pretty overwhelming. Was directed by someone else to the ME site, so will go there. Thanks again.

"H Leboeuf" wrote:

My feeling is that it's caused by parasites.
Did you install Kazaa or p2p software?

Try this: Tools Internet Options Advanced Browsing
Uncheck the Enable 3rd party browser extensions

If this clears your problem then find out who the culprit(s) is/are
(Don't forget to reset this)...

Get AdAware and SpyBot and run them both. Keep them up to date.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Additional link:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

You may need this removal tool.
Mo Complete list by variant with up-to-date information.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Mo Removal tool: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

CWShredder - Tutorial
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/foru...howtutorial=47

IMPORTANT:
Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware may kill your internet connection when it is
removed, this program will enable you to regain your connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html (if your OS is Win2k or
XP)

Important: "So how did I get infected in the first place?"
http://forums.net-integration.net/in...showtopic=3051

--

Henri Leboeuf
Web page: http://www.colba.net/~hlebo49/index.htm
===
"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything. I have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try restarting your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably, sometimes just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk says there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install the whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said. Used McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages, but none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

Look at your question again. You say it is found in system.ini and then ask
if it isn't supposed to be in system.ini. Not sure what you are asking but
that statement is in the system.ini file

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, thanks for pointing me to the correct site. Just one question before I
go, though. I downloaded and ran CWShredder (scan only) like others
suggested, and noticed one of the items it listed was "Found line in
System.ini: shell=Explorer.exe". Isn't that line supposed to be in
system.ini?

"Ron Badour" wrote:

No apology required--we just need to get you hooked up with an ME
expert.
There is enough of a difference between the two systems that it is
possible
for a W98 user like myself to unintentionally provide bad information.

I am not following you about the no ME links comment. You are
connecting
through the internet newsgroup interface and clicking on ME reveals
several
sub areas. This is general information:

http://support.microsoft.com/newsgro...-us;newsgroups

I would guess that your problem is a carry over from the virus infection
so
it is a question of if you can find someone who knows something about
it.

From the memory address, I'd say the article I referred you to does not
apply.
--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
First, I apologize for being in the Windows 98 group, but the
discussion
group for ME has no links to go to, and I thought I heard somewhere that
ME
was a hybrid of Windows 98. Having said that, thanks for the reference,
it
fits my situation, I think. However, the address shown in that article
says
that ME errors show fault at 0177:BFF6BB07, while my Fault Log shows
every
address as 0197:xxxxxxxxx.

Anyway, now that I have the Fault Log (thanks again), how do I use it?
The
referenced article is really over my head.


"Ron Badour" wrote:

You might find an MVP that can help if you post in an ME
newsgroup--we
do
Windows 98 here. You might want to take a look at this article
before
reposting: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=319581

--
Regards

Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo

"pwquail" wrote in message
...
OK, I am new, so bear with me. I have spent most of the day, about
the
last 10 hours, trying to navigate through this and read everything.
I
have
to admit most of it is over my head. Here is my problem. Computer
keeps
giving error message "Explorer has caused an error in KERNEL32.DLL.
Explorer
will now close. If you continue to experience problems, try
restarting
your
computer." Then usually the computer slows down considerably,
sometimes
just
freezes, so I have to cold boot it by unplugging power.

So far, I have found no pattern to when it does this. I am using a
Dell
Dimension 8100, Pentium 4, Windows ME version 4.90.3000. ScanDisk
says
there
are no errors on the disk, and the SYSTEM.INI file has
shell=Explorer.exe.
Last time the error message came on was when I tried to post this
message
the first time.

Can someone give me a clue? Dell Tech support says to re-install
the
whole
operating system, but I don't have much faith in what they said.
Used
McAfee
ScanVirus 2004 to get rid of infected files, most of which were in
the
Restore directory, so I don't have Restore files from before this
problem
started.

I know there are tons of stuff already in these discussion pages,
but
none
quite fit my error or situation, and a lot of the technical stuff I
don't
understand. So, an MVP that could get me going in the right
direction in
plain English would be greatly appreciated.

He must be thinking CWShredder was saying the line should be deleted.
(It should not.)

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Ron Badour" wrote in message
...
| Look at your question again. You say it is found in system.ini and
then ask
| if it isn't supposed to be in system.ini. Not sure what you are
asking but
| that statement is in the system.ini file
|
| --
| Regards
|
| Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
| Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
| Knowledge Base Info:
| http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo
|
| "pwquail" wrote in message
| ...
| OK, thanks for pointing me to the correct site. Just one question
before I
| go, though. I downloaded and ran CWShredder (scan only) like others
| suggested, and noticed one of the items it listed was "Found line in
| System.ini: shell=Explorer.exe". Isn't that line supposed to be in
| system.ini?
....snip

Yes, that is what I was trying to say. CWShredder listed it as something to be deleted, and I thought it should NOT be deleted. So why did CWShredder list it?

"PCR" wrote:

He must be thinking CWShredder was saying the line should be deleted.
(It should not.)

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Ron Badour" wrote in message
...
| Look at your question again. You say it is found in system.ini and
then ask
| if it isn't supposed to be in system.ini. Not sure what you are
asking but
| that statement is in the system.ini file
|
| --
| Regards
|
| Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
| Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
| Knowledge Base Info:
| http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo
|
| "pwquail" wrote in message
| ...
| OK, thanks for pointing me to the correct site. Just one question
before I
| go, though. I downloaded and ran CWShredder (scan only) like others
| suggested, and noticed one of the items it listed was "Found line in
| System.ini: shell=Explorer.exe". Isn't that line supposed to be in
| system.ini?
....snip