Help! Windows98 & Explorer gone mad in safe mode.

Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old computer
(Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last straw
is:
I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it reported
nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran Scan Disc
(Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started 10 times
because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter, it
appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message eventually
appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and restarted
the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe Mode,
at some stage this error message came up:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:
bff9dba7.
I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
Please help! Thanks.

It's a good thing Explorer didn't end task as that would have been the =
end of your Windows session. Explorer is needed to run and is =
essentially Windows.

Since you have run a virus check in Windows you may want to run one in =
DOS, a good app for that is the free F-Prot for DOS. Get the latest =
definitions as well from this same page/link.
http://www.f-prot.com/products/home_use/dos/

Then run the gauntlet of checking for any Spyware/Adware.
**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://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

For Info on Cool Web Search Variants ( link being redirected, not sure =
how to get to the Chronicles at this moment):
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://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

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=92s 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.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"Sybil Fox" wrote in message =
...
Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old =
computer
(Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last =
straw
is:
I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it =
reported
nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran Scan =
Disc
(Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started 10 =
times
because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter, =
it
appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message eventually
appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and =
restarted
the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe =
Mode,
at some stage this error message came up:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:
bff9dba7.
I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
Please help! Thanks.
=20

Thanks. I'll see if I can have a go at your various suggestions although it
is all pretty daunting to me. I still don't understand how that 'writing to
the disc' (spyware etc etc) could have happened during Scan Disk when the
computer was in SAFE MODE.
"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old computer
(Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last straw
is:
I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it reported
nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran Scan Disc
(Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started 10
times
because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter, it
appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message eventually
appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and
restarted
the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe Mode,
at some stage this error message came up:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:
bff9dba7.
I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
Please help! Thanks.

Right, better do as Brian A. dauntingly suggests. Even in Safe Mode, the
early items on my list could possibly be running...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q287914
Articles about Scandisk
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q286263
Articles about Defrag

I must warn that Scandisk may not do a great job when there is a
great one to do...
http://cquirke.mvps.org/9x/scandisk.htm
Therefore, perhaps UNcheck "Automatically fix errors" on it's front
screen. It will then ask whether you want each error fixed. If it sounds
truly horrible, say "No!", and post the log. The log will be
"C:\Scandisk.log". Do not let it constantly restart, either.

1. Turn off screen saver (R-Clk Desktop, Properties, Screen Saver--
None)
2. Turn off power management (Control Panel, Power Management-- Always
On,Never,Never,Never)
3. Disable any permanent internet cable connection, perhaps.
4. Suspend Task Scheduler
5. Turn off interfering programs. Use "StartupCop" or "EndItAll2" from
PCMag (below). Or "START, Run, MSConfig, Startup tab". Note what is
unchecked. Then, go to the General tab & disable the entire Startup
Group, by clicking "Selective.." & unchecking "Load Startup...". Reboot.
Don't forget to re-enable before the next boot.
6. Use "HDValet" from PCMag, or
(a) "Control Panel, Internet Options, Delete Files button, bolt Delete
all offline content, OK, OK"
(b) "START, Run, %TEMP%", & delete all files that will let you. This
will likely be "C:\Windows\Temp". This is best done after a fresh boot,
unless you have not seen the message "Reboot to complete this install".
7. Run Scandisk (Thorough, usually w/o write testing. Check all three
items under "Scandisk, Advanced button, 'Check files for' box". If you
want to be informed as it does a fix, UNcheck "Automatically fix errors"
on the front screen, or look inside "C:\Scandisk.log" afterwards.)
8. "START, Run, Defrag /p /details". Apparently, "/p" Defrags the
unmovables.

The purpose of steps 1-5 is only to prevent constant restarts of
Scandisk & Defrag, if you get them; but DEFINITELY turn off the Virus
Scanner. Scandisk should be done perhaps once a month, and certainly
after every serious crash. Do a Defrag after a sluggish boot or when
this says so:
http://www.pcmag.com/ 's CrackUp, by Gregory A. Wolking & Bob Flanders.
Also, take DiskAction, to determine what is constantly writing to the
HDD, which causes the restarts. Take BHOCop & StartupCop too.

"DiskAction" reports the last 12 processes that access any partition. It
discovered the MS Critical Update Notification Tool was accessing my
HDD every five minutes. It can be uninstalled in "Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs". Then, occasionally, "START, Windows Update" on
your own.

"BHOCop" found a Browser Helper Object called Wavehelper Class, created
by "Wavetop", that was building a monstrosity of an error log called
"Logit.txt" in here. "START, Find, F/F, Logit.txt"-- see one?

Now, my hard drive is quieter than my mouse. (Of course, I now also have
384 MB RAM, up from an initial 64, eliminating Swap File activity.)


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

"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
| Thanks. I'll see if I can have a go at your various suggestions
although it
| is all pretty daunting to me. I still don't understand how that
'writing to
| the disc' (spyware etc etc) could have happened during Scan Disk when
the
| computer was in SAFE MODE.
| "Sybil Fox" wrote in message
| ...
| Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old
computer
| (Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last
straw
| is:
| I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it
reported
| nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran
Scan Disc
| (Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started
10
| times
| because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
| just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter,
it
| appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message
eventually
| appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and
| restarted
| the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe
Mode,
| at some stage this error message came up:
| Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at
015f:
| bff9dba7.
| I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
| Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
| Please help! Thanks.
|
|
|
|

| What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe Mode,
| at some stage this error message came up:
| Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:
| bff9dba7.

Well, read through these, & get back with any further questions.
(Hopefully, Brian A. will not have gone to bed.)

http://search.support.microsoft.com/...SD=GN&LN=EN-US MSKB
Search "Explorer caused"; Windows 98; Full Text; Exact Phrase; comes up
with many, inc. these that mention Kernel32.dll...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...97&Product=w98
Indications of Virus Infection from the W32/KRIZ Viruses
(282997) - You may receive an error message related to the Krized.tt6
file. The error message may look similar to any of the following error
messages: waol caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll -or-
vsmon caused an invalid page fault in module...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...53&Product=w98
Invalid Page Fault Opening Control Panel
(171753) - When you attempt to open Control Panel, an invalid page fault
may occur in Kernel32.dll. You may receive one of the following error
message: Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module KERNEL32.dll at
<xxxx:xxxxxxxx> -or- Explorer caused an...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...76&Product=w98
Err Msg: An Unknown Error Has Occurred During Installation
(193576) - When you try to download a component from the Windows Update
page, you may receive one of the following error messages: An unknown
error has occurred during installation. Explorer caused an Invalid Page
Fault in module Kernel32.dll IE5WZD caused an...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...57&Product=w98
Error Message Upgrading IBM ThinkPad 701c to Windows 95/98
(192157) - When you try to install Windows 95 or Windows 98 on your IBM
ThinkPad 701c computer, you may receive the following error message:
GRPCONV has performed an illegal Operation Explorer caused an Invalid
Page Fault in Module KERNEL32.DLL at 015F:BFF72825...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...91&Product=w98
Error Message: TASKMON Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module...
(197791) - When you attempt to start or shut down Windows 98 or Windows
Millennium Edition (Me), or to start Windows Explorer, you may receive
one of the following error messages: TASKMON caused an invalid page
fault in module KERNEL32.DLL EXPLORER caused an...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...24&Product=w98
HyperTerminal Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module Msvcrt.dll
(238424) - When you attempt to create a new connection in HyperTerminal,
you may receive one of the following error messages: Hypertrm caused an
invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL. Hypertrm caused an invalid page
fault in module KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer...


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

"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
| Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old
computer
| (Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last
straw
| is:
| I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it
reported
| nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran Scan
Disc
| (Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started 10
times
| because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
| just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter,
it
| appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message eventually
| appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and
restarted
| the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe
Mode,
| at some stage this error message came up:
| Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:
| bff9dba7.
| I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
| Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
| Please help! Thanks.
|
|

Y

--=20
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"PCR" wrote in message =
...
| What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe Mode,
| at some stage this error message came up:
| Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at =
015f:
| bff9dba7.
=20
Well, read through these, & get back with any further questions.
(Hopefully, Brian A. will not have gone to bed.)
=20
http://search.support.microsoft.com/...DGN&LN=3DEN-US =
MSKB
Search "Explorer caused"; Windows 98; Full Text; Exact Phrase; comes =
up
with many, inc. these that mention Kernel32.dll...
=20
=
http://support.microsoft.com/default...97&Product=3D=
w98
Indications of Virus Infection from the W32/KRIZ Viruses
(282997) - You may receive an error message related to the Krized.tt6
file. The error message may look similar to any of the following error
messages: waol caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll =
-or-
vsmon caused an invalid page fault in module...
=20
=
http://support.microsoft.com/default...53&Product=3D=
w98
Invalid Page Fault Opening Control Panel
(171753) - When you attempt to open Control Panel, an invalid page =
fault
may occur in Kernel32.dll. You may receive one of the following error
message: Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module KERNEL32.dll =
at
<xxxx:xxxxxxxx> -or- Explorer caused an...
=20
=
http://support.microsoft.com/default...76&Product=3D=
w98
Err Msg: An Unknown Error Has Occurred During Installation
(193576) - When you try to download a component from the Windows =
Update
page, you may receive one of the following error messages: An unknown
error has occurred during installation. Explorer caused an Invalid =
Page
Fault in module Kernel32.dll IE5WZD caused an...
=20
=
http://support.microsoft.com/default...57&Product=3D=
w98
Error Message Upgrading IBM ThinkPad 701c to Windows 95/98
(192157) - When you try to install Windows 95 or Windows 98 on your =
IBM
ThinkPad 701c computer, you may receive the following error message:
GRPCONV has performed an illegal Operation Explorer caused an Invalid
Page Fault in Module KERNEL32.DLL at 015F:BFF72825...
=20
=
http://support.microsoft.com/default...91&Product=3D=
w98
Error Message: TASKMON Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module...
(197791) - When you attempt to start or shut down Windows 98 or =
Windows
Millennium Edition (Me), or to start Windows Explorer, you may receive
one of the following error messages: TASKMON caused an invalid page
fault in module KERNEL32.DLL EXPLORER caused an...
=20
=
http://support.microsoft.com/default...24&Product=3D=
w98
HyperTerminal Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Module Msvcrt.dll
(238424) - When you attempt to create a new connection in =
HyperTerminal,
you may receive one of the following error messages: Hypertrm caused =
an
invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL. Hypertrm caused an invalid =
page
fault in module KERNEL32.DLL. Explorer...
=20
=20
--=20
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
| Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old
computer
| (Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last
straw
| is:
| I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it
reported
| nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran =
Scan
Disc
| (Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started =
10
times
| because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
| just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter,
it
| appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message =
eventually
| appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and
restarted
| the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe
Mode,
| at some stage this error message came up:
| Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at =
015f:
| bff9dba7.
| I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
| Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
| Please help! Thanks.
|
|
=20

Hi Sybil, I am responding to this thread, as you requested in your later posting.
It would be helpful if you would give some info as to what the other problems are.
As Brian A stated, Explorer is required for Windows to run....you must leave that
running in the 'Close Program' box. There should not be anything running in Safe
Mode to interfere with Scandisk....hence Brian A's suggestion to check for spyware
and adware.

You said McAfee Virus Scan did not find anything. Did you do an update of the
anti-virus prior to running it? If not, it will not recognise any of the newer
viruses.

The simplest way to start checking is to do the following, and post back with what
is found:

Restart the computer.

Open the Temp folder and delete all Temp files:
-Click StartRun, type %temp% and click OK.
-Press Ctrl+A to select all, then press Delete.

Delete the Temporary Internet Files:
Click Start Settings Control Panel Internet Options General tab.
Click the Delete Files button, then put a checkmark in the box to Delete all
offline content, and click OK, and OK.

Update your anti-virus app with the latest virus definition files, and then run a
full-system virus scan.

Download CWShredder, the CoolWeb removal tool, available at any of these locations:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads...CWShredder.exe
http://aumha.org/downloads/cwshredder.zip
Unzip it, close all browser windows and open apps, start CWShredder, and click the
Fix button.

In addition, install Ad-Aware Personal Edition, start it, click its 'Check for
Updates' link in the app to install updates, then use it to scan your system, and
remove what it finds.
Ad-Awa
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

The problem may or may not be malware...it depends on what is found, and exactly
what other problems you are having.

I would like you to try to do this....it is easier than it reads:

Click StartRun, type MSINFO32 and click OK.
In the left pane of the System Information window, click the + sign to expand the
"Software Environment" category.
In the left pane, click to select "Startup Programs"....they will appear in a list
on the right.
Press Ctrl-A on the keyboard, which will highlight everything in the list on the
right.
Press Ctrl-C to copy the list to the 'clipboard'.
Open a reply to this message, click in the body of the message to put it in the
focus, and press Ctrl-V to paste the list from the clipboard to the message, and
post back to this thread.

Also, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to bring up the Task Manager and post back with what is
listed there in normal mode.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Sybil Fox" wrote in message
...
Have been having loads of problems recently with my 5 year-old computer
(Pentium III, Windows98) too numerous to go into at moment but last straw
is:
I ran MacAfee Virus to check that viruses weren't the cause & it reported
nothing found, then I restarted in Safe Mode and immediately ran Scan Disc
(Thorough) but after a long time it came up that it had re-started 10 times
because of something writing to the disc! Control Alt Del
just showed Scan Disc & Explorer, when I did End Task on the latter, it
appeared to go, so I started Scan Disc again, same message eventually
appeared, Control Alt Del, Explorer still there. So I gave up and restarted
the computer. What is happening? Earlier in the day when not in Safe Mode,
at some stage this error message came up:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:
bff9dba7.
I am completely non-technical & don't understand a word.
Also Windows98 has started playing up & not shutting down.
Please help! Thanks.

snip
Restart the computer.
=20
Open the Temp folder and delete all Temp files:
-Click StartRun, type %temp% and click OK.
-Press Ctrl+A to select all, then press Delete.
=20
Delete the Temporary Internet Files:
Click Start Settings Control Panel Internet Options General tab.
Click the Delete Files button, then put a checkmark in the box to =
Delete all
offline content, and click OK, and OK.

One day I'm going to wake up and get that into an edited more compact =
response. It's the first thing I do before scanning on any machine. Like =
many simple things, I guess it's easier to do when the mind is in =
auto-pilot than it is to remember to mention.=20
snip


--=20
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Thanks you all so much. I will go into all your replies later and post back
back results eventually.
Have to go out now. Sybil Fox
"Brian A." GoneFishn@aFarAwayLake wrote in message
...
snip
Restart the computer.

Open the Temp folder and delete all Temp files:
-Click StartRun, type %temp% and click OK.
-Press Ctrl+A to select all, then press Delete.

Delete the Temporary Internet Files:
Click Start Settings Control Panel Internet Options General tab.
Click the Delete Files button, then put a checkmark in the box to Delete
all
offline content, and click OK, and OK.

One day I'm going to wake up and get that into an edited more compact
response. It's the first thing I do before scanning on any machine. Like
many simple things, I guess it's easier to do when the mind is in auto-pilot
than it is to remember to mention.
snip


--
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

You still up?

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

"Brian A." GoneFishn@aFarAwayLake wrote in message
...
Y

--
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"PCR" wrote in message
...
....snip
(Hopefully, Brian A. will not have gone to bed.)
....snip