Help - Explorer error during start up

I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer has
caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states that
explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error message the
entire desktop and tool bar goes black.

I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was working
fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you.

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 My Computer...

http://support.microsoft.com/default...22&Product=w98
Err Msg: Explorer Caused a Page Fault in Module Shell32.dll
(148322) - When you try to open My Computer, Control Panel, or the
Printers folder, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module Shell32.dll. -or-
Explorer caused a divide error in module Shell32.dll.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...52&Product=w98
Error Message: Explorer Caused an Invalid Page Fault in Pdm.dll
(227152) - When you use Windows Explorer or features in Windows that use
Windows Explorer (such as My Computer), you may receive the following
error message: Explorer caused an invalid page fault in PDM.DLL.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...59&Product=w98
An Invalid Page Fault Occurs in Module Shdocvw.dll When You Open My
Computer or Control Panel
(311359) - When you attempt to open My Computer or Control Panel, you
may receive the following error message: Explorer caused an invalid page
fault in module SHDOCVW.dll


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

"Pamela" wrote in message
...
| I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer
has
| caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states
that
| explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error
message the
| entire desktop and tool bar goes black.
|
| I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was
working
| fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated
|
| Thank you.

Explorer & IE are closely related. So...

(1) "START, Run, MSInfo32, Tools menu, IE Repair Tool"
It produces a rather large "Fix IE Log.txt" in C:\Windows. IE & E
are basically one & the same. If this crashes, an over-install of IE is
indicated.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=194177
Description of the Internet Explorer Repair Tool

(2) Over-install IE. Try first without, but I believe it will request an
internet connection. Perhaps it is best to let it connect, actually. If
you don't care to get this fancy, just skip to step (c).

(a) Turn off interfering programs. Use http://www.pcmag.com/ 's
"StartupCop" or "EndItAll2". Or "START, Run, MSConfig, Startup tab".
Note what is unchecked, if anything. Then, go to the General tab &
disable the entire Startup Group, by clicking "Selective.." & unchecking
"Load Startup...". Reboot.

(b) Perhaps, if you haven't got EndItAll2, then "Ctrl-Alt-Del" & end
task all but Explorer & Systray. If this goes badly, start again from
top, & skip it next time.

(c) "START, Find, F/F, IE6Setup.exe". Click it in the Find window.
NOTE: If you are IE5, then it's "IE5Setup.exe". If there are more
than one (I have two each), click the one in "C:\WINDOWS\Windows
Update Setup Files" or "C:\Windows Update Setup Files", as applicable.

(d) Re-enable the Startup Group. That will automatically check all
items. Go to the Startup tab & uncheck any noted in step (a). Reboot.

(e) Perhaps go to Windows Update, to see whether it now offers
criticals.


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

"Pamela" wrote in message
...
| I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer
has
| caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states
that
| explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error
message the
| entire desktop and tool bar goes black.
|
| I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was
working
| fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated
|
| Thank you.

Try starting the computer in Safe mode by tapping the F8 key repeatedly
during bootup. If this is successful, click "Start", "Run", type =
"msinfo32"
and click "OK". When System Information starts, click "Tools", =
"Internet
Explorer Repair Tool", then select "Repair Internet Explorer" and click =
"OK".

Ben

"Pamela" wrote in message =
...
I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer =
has=20
caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states =
that=20
explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error =
message the=20
entire desktop and tool bar goes black. =20
=20
I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was =
working=20
fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated =20
=20
Thank you.

Please post the entire error message minus the registers.

--

Brian A. Sesko
{ MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm




"Pamela" wrote in message
...
I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer has
caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states that
explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error message the
entire desktop and tool bar goes black.

I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was working
fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you.

I have the same problem, although I noticed that if I change my home page
(which is normally msn.sympatico.ca the problem seems to go away. To do
this I start my e-mail and use a internet link to get IE opened. From there
I change the home page. I have run the "fix" program before and has cleared
most of the problems but not all. I am wondering if it has something more
to do with something on the start up home page.
"Pamela" wrote in message
...
I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer has
caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states that
explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error message
the
entire desktop and tool bar goes black.

I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was
working
fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you.

The OP mentions the error at boot, thus not being able to even attempt your
suggestion.

IMO, YES, your problem has to do with the home page, more to the point,
hijacking the homepage by something installed in a spyware/adware infested
machine.

**It is very important to run the update for each program before running the
app/s 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 and all apps are fully up to date.
Download/run Cool Web Shredder from:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

For Info on Cool Web Search variants:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com...hronicles.html

Then download/install/run Ad-Aware SE 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.

And/or download/install/run:
Spybot - Search & Destroy:
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?l...&page=download
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.

If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com...downloads.html
http://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Copy HJT to it's own folder, this is where the log files will be saved. Run HJT
in Normal Mode.
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 forum where they specialize in
spyware/hijacker removal. Please read any sticky notes for proper posting which
are most commonly posted first at the top in each specific forum. Read any
information under each forum category name for information on what that
particular one is used for, look for the proper one that you post logs to.
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

http://forum.aumha.org/

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

--

Brian A. Sesko
{ MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm




"Jeff" wrote in message
...
I have the same problem, although I noticed that if I change my home page
(which is normally msn.sympatico.ca the problem seems to go away. To do
this I start my e-mail and use a internet link to get IE opened. From there
I change the home page. I have run the "fix" program before and has cleared
most of the problems but not all. I am wondering if it has something more
to do with something on the start up home page.
"Pamela" wrote in message
...
I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer has
caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states that
explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error message
the
entire desktop and tool bar goes black.

I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was
working
fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you.

On Fri, 29 Apr 2005 06:10:03 -0700, Pamela

I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer has
caused an error and will be shut down" message.

OK, here's the generic way to tshoot these:

1) Do "the prelim"
- RAM check (MemTest86)
- motherboard capacitors and fans check
- file system check
- physical HD check
- formal virus scan
- scans for commercial malware (AdAware, Spybot)

http://cquirke.mvps.org/9x/bthink.htm

The reason I'd do this even for things that normally cause variable
errors (bad RAM, bad mobo caps) is because these problems can cause
secondary damage that can in turn can cause static errors (i.e.
"whenever I do X, Y happens").

2) Do forensic checks
- what has Scandisk "fixed" lately?
- what has av "cleaned" lately?
- any recent patches or installs?

3) State-chart your mileage
- Safe Mode
- Normal mode with MSConfig suppression of all startup entries
- Normal mode off network
- Normal mode on network
- Normal mode plus online to Internet

Note: Normal mode with startup suppression can be dangerous, as this
may deactivate defences such as firewall and av, so stay OFF networks
and Internet when testing this (pull cables, beat WiFi to death)

4) If Safe Mode crashes, try a different Shell=

Win98 sets the Shell via a line in System.ini, which should typically
read Shell=Explorer.exe with nothing else on the same line.

If you find that's already changed, chances are you have malware
integrated there.

Try using Shell=Taskman.exe instead, and use the Run prompt to run
apps. Run Explorer.exe from there; does it crash?

5) Check for BHOs and other shell integrations
- BHO Lister or similar for Browser Helper Objects
- Shell Extension Viewer for shell integrations
- HiJackThis for a more total integration overview

Note these don't "editorialize", i.e. list only malware - they list
everything, and it's up to you to know what to do next. Some are
reversable, e.g. Shell Extension Viewer; others are not, e.g.
HiJackThis. Be careful with this stuff!



---------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -
Gone to bloggery: http://cquirke.blogspot.com
---------- ----- ---- --- -- - - - -

"cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)" wrote in message
...
snip
5) Check for BHOs and other shell integrations
- BHO Lister or similar for Browser Helper Objects
- Shell Extension Viewer for shell integrations
- HiJackThis for a more total integration overview

Note these don't "editorialize", i.e. list only malware - they list
everything, and it's up to you to know what to do next. Some are
reversable, e.g. Shell Extension Viewer; others are not, e.g.
HiJackThis. Be careful with this stuff!

Yes, be verrrry careful! FWIW, HijackThis does make backups of ewhat it removes, in
the same folder as the utility, but this is a big "FWIW".....though unlikely, a user
could mistakenly remove an item that may make it impossible to restart Windows,
which would make it impossible to re-run Hijackthis to restore the backup!

MVP Jim Eshelman's in-depth tutorial on HijackThis:
http://aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
....and I didn't even know shells were addictive!

Try restoring a previous registry and see if that fixes the problem.

How to Manually Restore the Windows 98/Me Registry
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=221512

If you have to reinstall Windows, you cannot do it without an installation
CD or the restore or recovery CD from the manufacturer of your computer
unless they have created a hidden partition on your system with the restore
files. Check your computer documentation or call the manufacturer.

PattyL


"Pamela" wrote in message
...
I have Windows 98. Just recently when starting up I get an "Explorer has
caused an error and will be shut down" message. In details is states that
explorer has caused a page default. When I click on close error message
the
entire desktop and tool bar goes black.

I need to restore, I do not have any of the original disks. It was
working
fine just a few days ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you.