Need help with invalid page fault in module EXPLORER.EXE

Safe Mode is another option on the Startup Menu, which Hugh already
explained (the Startup Menu, that is)--where you might also choose
"Command Prompt Only" or other startup options. You get there by
pressing Ctrl or F8 key as Windows starts to load. Some times, when you
just hold down the appropriate key you get a "Stuck Key" error, in which
case you have to repeatedly press the proper key in order to get it
right.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"rbryan" wrote in message
...
I appreciate everyone's attempt to help, but 1) I've been out of
town for
24-plus hours and thus incapable of trying any of these suggestions,
and 2)
My technical knowledge (which is virtually nill) makes much of the
advice too
tough for me to follow.
Hugh, in your most recent response, you asked if I had tried to
extract
that file from the OS CD? Is that something that likely would work,
and if
so, how do you do that? If that makes sense to try, can someone get me
through it step by step.
Also, an earlier question asked me if I had started my computer in
safe
mode. I have not; I do not know how to. Is that something I should
try, and
if so, what am I trying in safe mode?
Thanks again.



"Hugh Candlin" wrote:


"rbryan" wrote in message
...
Hugh,
Thanks, but that doesn't sound like my problem. I will cut and
paste the
suggested solution to what sounds exactly like my problem below.
My
problem
with this solution and others like it is that when I get to step
(8)
below,
rather than my computer starting in the windows file manager, it
starts
the
same way as it did before I performed steps 1-7, leaving me
powerless to
move
onto steps 9, 10, etc.

Are you able to run MSCONFIG ?

On the General tab,
is the "Process System.Ini file" option enabled ?

On the System.Ini tab,
is the Boot section enabled ?

What is the Modified date of C:\Windows\Explorer.Exe ?
Have you tried replacing that file
with the file from your OS CD ?

Do you also have a C:\Explorer.Exe ? You should NOT.

I have now tried it in safe mode and get the same invalid page fault
error. You asked if I'm able to run MSCONFIG...the answer is "maybe." That's
one of the two programs that is listed in the close program window when I hit
control-alt-delete. Does that mean I can run it? If so, how? And if so, what
am I trying to do?
I have both the recovery CD that came with my computer and a startup
floppy that I made when I added the 98 Second Edition updates. Are either of
those options? Again, being computer-clueless, I'm not sure but someone told
me that if I use the recovery disk and install everything again, I'll lose
all the programs on my hard drive. Is this true?
Simply put, I don't know what to do next.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

Safe Mode is another option on the Startup Menu, which Hugh already
explained (the Startup Menu, that is)--where you might also choose
"Command Prompt Only" or other startup options. You get there by
pressing Ctrl or F8 key as Windows starts to load. Some times, when you
just hold down the appropriate key you get a "Stuck Key" error, in which
case you have to repeatedly press the proper key in order to get it
right.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"rbryan" wrote in message
...
I appreciate everyone's attempt to help, but 1) I've been out of
town for
24-plus hours and thus incapable of trying any of these suggestions,
and 2)
My technical knowledge (which is virtually nill) makes much of the
advice too
tough for me to follow.
Hugh, in your most recent response, you asked if I had tried to
extract
that file from the OS CD? Is that something that likely would work,
and if
so, how do you do that? If that makes sense to try, can someone get me
through it step by step.
Also, an earlier question asked me if I had started my computer in
safe
mode. I have not; I do not know how to. Is that something I should
try, and
if so, what am I trying in safe mode?
Thanks again.



"Hugh Candlin" wrote:


"rbryan" wrote in message
...
Hugh,
Thanks, but that doesn't sound like my problem. I will cut and
paste the
suggested solution to what sounds exactly like my problem below.
My
problem
with this solution and others like it is that when I get to step
(8)
below,
rather than my computer starting in the windows file manager, it
starts
the
same way as it did before I performed steps 1-7, leaving me
powerless to
move
onto steps 9, 10, etc.

Are you able to run MSCONFIG ?

On the General tab,
is the "Process System.Ini file" option enabled ?

On the System.Ini tab,
is the Boot section enabled ?

What is the Modified date of C:\Windows\Explorer.Exe ?
Have you tried replacing that file
with the file from your OS CD ?

Do you also have a C:\Explorer.Exe ? You should NOT.

Nevermind on me being able to run MSCONFIG..it was MSLOOP or something like
that that was available.

"rbryan" wrote:

I have now tried it in safe mode and get the same invalid page fault
error. You asked if I'm able to run MSCONFIG...the answer is "maybe." That's
one of the two programs that is listed in the close program window when I hit
control-alt-delete. Does that mean I can run it? If so, how? And if so, what
am I trying to do?
I have both the recovery CD that came with my computer and a startup
floppy that I made when I added the 98 Second Edition updates. Are either of
those options? Again, being computer-clueless, I'm not sure but someone told
me that if I use the recovery disk and install everything again, I'll lose
all the programs on my hard drive. Is this true?
Simply put, I don't know what to do next.

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

Safe Mode is another option on the Startup Menu, which Hugh already
explained (the Startup Menu, that is)--where you might also choose
"Command Prompt Only" or other startup options. You get there by
pressing Ctrl or F8 key as Windows starts to load. Some times, when you
just hold down the appropriate key you get a "Stuck Key" error, in which
case you have to repeatedly press the proper key in order to get it
right.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"rbryan" wrote in message
...
I appreciate everyone's attempt to help, but 1) I've been out of
town for
24-plus hours and thus incapable of trying any of these suggestions,
and 2)
My technical knowledge (which is virtually nill) makes much of the
advice too
tough for me to follow.
Hugh, in your most recent response, you asked if I had tried to
extract
that file from the OS CD? Is that something that likely would work,
and if
so, how do you do that? If that makes sense to try, can someone get me
through it step by step.
Also, an earlier question asked me if I had started my computer in
safe
mode. I have not; I do not know how to. Is that something I should
try, and
if so, what am I trying in safe mode?
Thanks again.



"Hugh Candlin" wrote:


"rbryan" wrote in message
...
Hugh,
Thanks, but that doesn't sound like my problem. I will cut and
paste the
suggested solution to what sounds exactly like my problem below.
My
problem
with this solution and others like it is that when I get to step
(8)
below,
rather than my computer starting in the windows file manager, it
starts
the
same way as it did before I performed steps 1-7, leaving me
powerless to
move
onto steps 9, 10, etc.

Are you able to run MSCONFIG ?

On the General tab,
is the "Process System.Ini file" option enabled ?

On the System.Ini tab,
is the Boot section enabled ?

What is the Modified date of C:\Windows\Explorer.Exe ?
Have you tried replacing that file
with the file from your OS CD ?

Do you also have a C:\Explorer.Exe ? You should NOT.

"rbryan" wrote in message
...

I have now tried it in safe mode and get the same invalid page fault
error.

That isn't good news. I think that your machine has been compromised.

You asked if I'm able to run MSCONFIG...the answer is "maybe."

There are only 2 answers. Yes or No.

You are either able to run EXE and COM files, or you're not.
If you are, then that is good. If you're not, then that is bad,
and an almost sure sign of a compromised system

That's one of the two programs that is listed in the close program window
when I hit control-alt-delete.

That doesn't make much sense. It means that you have MSCONFIG
in your C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp folder,
or intitated by an INI file.

Does that mean I can run it?

That means that it is ALREADY running.

If so, how? And if so, what am I trying to do?

You want to get to MSCONFIG to identify for us
the programs that are activated on Startup.

I have both the recovery CD that came with my computer and a startup
floppy that I made when I added the 98 Second Edition updates. Are either
of
those options?

No. I repeat, No.

Again, being computer-clueless, I'm not sure but someone told
me that if I use the recovery disk and install everything again, I'll lose
all the programs on my hard drive. Is this true?

No. Originally, Recovery, or System Restore disks, were designed
to RECOVER from a catastrophic error by allowing you
to RESTORE the status of your hard drive
back to what it was the day it showed up on your doorstep.

Any additional applications that you have installed,
any databases or spreadsheets or correspondence
or tax forms or pictures or songs that you have created
since then will VANISH.

You do NOT want to do that, do you?

Simply put, I don't know what to do next.

Press a WINDOWS key. Either one will do.
There are 2 of them, on the bottom row of your keyboard.
They are called Windows keys because they have a picture
of a flying window on them.

Press the R key to open the RUN box

In the Open scroll box, type MSCONFIG

Click OK

Click the STARTUP tab

If MSLOOP is mentioned, remove the checkmark,
click OK, then restart your computer

If MSLOOP is NOT mentioned, then make a note of
the items that are mentioned and report back.

I still want to know the answer to my previous questions.
If someone asks you specific questions while trying to help you
in this NG, it is for a specific reason.
If you cannot follow the instructions given, then take the items
one at a time and post back, explaining how far you got,
so that we can determine exactly where the physical
or mental roadblock lies, and help you to get past it.

On the General tab,
is the "Process System.Ini file" option enabled ?

On the System.Ini tab,
is the Boot section enabled ?

What is the Modified date of C:\Windows\Explorer.Exe ?
Have you tried replacing that file with the file from your OS CD ?

Do you also have a C:\Explorer.Exe ? You should NOT.





"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

Safe Mode is another option on the Startup Menu, which Hugh already
explained (the Startup Menu, that is)--where you might also choose
"Command Prompt Only" or other startup options. You get there by
pressing Ctrl or F8 key as Windows starts to load. Some times, when you
just hold down the appropriate key you get a "Stuck Key" error, in which
case you have to repeatedly press the proper key in order to get it
right.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"rbryan" wrote in message
...
I appreciate everyone's attempt to help, but 1) I've been out of
town for
24-plus hours and thus incapable of trying any of these suggestions,
and 2)
My technical knowledge (which is virtually nill) makes much of the
advice too
tough for me to follow.
Hugh, in your most recent response, you asked if I had tried to
extract
that file from the OS CD? Is that something that likely would work,
and if
so, how do you do that? If that makes sense to try, can someone get me
through it step by step.
Also, an earlier question asked me if I had started my computer in
safe
mode. I have not; I do not know how to. Is that something I should
try, and
if so, what am I trying in safe mode?
Thanks again.



"Hugh Candlin" wrote:


"rbryan" wrote in message
...
Hugh,
Thanks, but that doesn't sound like my problem. I will cut and
paste the
suggested solution to what sounds exactly like my problem below.
My
problem
with this solution and others like it is that when I get to step
(8)
below,
rather than my computer starting in the windows file manager, it
starts
the
same way as it did before I performed steps 1-7, leaving me
powerless to
move
onto steps 9, 10, etc.

Are you able to run MSCONFIG ?

On the General tab,
is the "Process System.Ini file" option enabled ?

On the System.Ini tab,
is the Boot section enabled ?

What is the Modified date of C:\Windows\Explorer.Exe ?
Have you tried replacing that file
with the file from your OS CD ?

Do you also have a C:\Explorer.Exe ? You should NOT.