Windows Explorer - Windows 98 SE

Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can launch most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say Microsoft Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?

Don't just say that it doesn't work--what happens when you try, anything?
Any error messages? Do you regularly do scans with updated antivirus and
spyware programs? How long has these problems been going on and did you
make any changes to the computer just before the problems started?

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?

"Ron Badour" wrote:

Don't just say that it doesn't work--what happens when you try, anything?
Any error messages? Do you regularly do scans with updated antivirus and
spyware programs? How long has these problems been going on and did you
make any changes to the computer just before the problems started?

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right, and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!

Virus and spyware change daily so if your old computer has been on the
internet at all, you need to do scans with up to date programs for both
virus and spyware.

AVG free antivirus: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I recommend you download and use the following free programs and consider
removing everything these programs identify. Be aware that there are
frequent updates to these programs and you need to check for them before
every use including the first time.

AdAwa http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

CWShredder: http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/


Note: You need to check for new definitions immediately after installing
the programs.
***************

If this doesn't help, I would see if some program running in the background
is conflicting with Explorer:

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=192926

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...


"Ron Badour" wrote:

Don't just say that it doesn't work--what happens when you try, anything?
Any error messages? Do you regularly do scans with updated antivirus and
spyware programs? How long has these problems been going on and did you
make any changes to the computer just before the problems started?

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal
routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can
launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a
file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say
Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a
registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a
bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the
screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has
occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer
comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right,
and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the
Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!

"Ron Badour" wrote:

Virus and spyware change daily so if your old computer has been on the
internet at all, you need to do scans with up to date programs for both
virus and spyware.

AVG free antivirus: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I recommend you download and use the following free programs and consider
removing everything these programs identify. Be aware that there are
frequent updates to these programs and you need to check for them before
every use including the first time.

AdAwa http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

CWShredder: http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/


Note: You need to check for new definitions immediately after installing
the programs.
***************

If this doesn't help, I would see if some program running in the background
is conflicting with Explorer:

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=192926

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...


"Ron Badour" wrote:

Don't just say that it doesn't work--what happens when you try, anything?
Any error messages? Do you regularly do scans with updated antivirus and
spyware programs? How long has these problems been going on and did you
make any changes to the computer just before the problems started?

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal
routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can
launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a
file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say
Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a
registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a
bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the
screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has
occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer
comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right,
and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the
Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!




Thanks Ron. I've been away for four weeks. I've downloaded all the programs you recommended. They're all current and scans have been done. Some files were quarantined or removed, but performance has not changed. I'm about to proceed with the clean-boot troubleshooting. It looks onerous... and at the edge of my skill level. We'll see. Again, might I uninstall/reinstall Windows (98se)? If so, what on-line document will guide my through that process?

"David" wrote:



"Ron Badour" wrote:

Virus and spyware change daily so if your old computer has been on the
internet at all, you need to do scans with up to date programs for both
virus and spyware.

AVG free antivirus: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I recommend you download and use the following free programs and consider
removing everything these programs identify. Be aware that there are
frequent updates to these programs and you need to check for them before
every use including the first time.

AdAwa http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

CWShredder: http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/


Note: You need to check for new definitions immediately after installing
the programs.
***************

If this doesn't help, I would see if some program running in the background
is conflicting with Explorer:

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=192926

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...


"Ron Badour" wrote:

Don't just say that it doesn't work--what happens when you try, anything?
Any error messages? Do you regularly do scans with updated antivirus and
spyware programs? How long has these problems been going on and did you
make any changes to the computer just before the problems started?

--
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



"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal
routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can
launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a
file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say
Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a
registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a
bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the
screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has
occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer
comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right,
and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the
Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!




Thanks Ron. I've been away for four weeks. I've downloaded all the programs you recommended. They're all current and scans have been done. Some files were quarantined or removed, but performance has not changed. I'm about to proceed with the clean-boot troubleshooting. It looks onerous... and at the edge of my skill level. We'll see. Again, might I uninstall/reinstall Windows (98se)? If so, what on-line document will guide my through that process?

Also, I've got Norton Works 2000. It always comes on at boot-up and does a
diagnostic. That module is called "Disk Doctor", and it usually takes about
90 seconds to cycle through its various components, which a
Partition Table
Boot Record
File Structure
Directory Structure
Compressed Disk
Surface Test

It has always started and re-started these individual tests, advising on
each re-start, "Restarting due to disk write failure". Gradually, it gets
further along and eventually completed, after securing a check-mark for each
previous (lower) levels. Now, it won't get past the first three levels.. ie
Partition Table, Boot Record, and File Structure. In fact, yesterday, it
said "you've got 200 disk write failure messages. Do you want to continue?"

Does this info help identify the problem?

*replies inline....
"David" wrote in message
...
"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

*Is that the complete error? Does it name any VxD file, using this format: "A fatal
exception 0E has occurred at 0028:00000000 in VXD filename..."?
Are the other two blue screen errors identical, or are they different errors?

An exception 0E at an 0028: memory address often indicates a video hardware or video
driver problem. After following Ron's suggestions to check for spyware and other
malware, you might try updating or reinstalling the video drivers.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right, and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

*Do you by any chance have a CD in the drive when this occurs? Do you have
packet-writing software (for CD-RW) installed, such as InCD or DirectCD?

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

*What anti-virus app is it? Older, out-of-date versions of orton (Symantec)
Anti-Virus can cause similar errors, usually due to out-of-date VxD files used by
the program.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

"glee" wrote:

*replies inline....
"David" wrote in message
...
"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

*Is that the complete error? Does it name any VxD file, using this format: "A fatal
exception 0E has occurred at 0028:00000000 in VXD filename..."?
Are the other two blue screen errors identical, or are they different errors?

An exception 0E at an 0028: memory address often indicates a video hardware or video
driver problem. After following Ron's suggestions to check for spyware and other
malware, you might try updating or reinstalling the video drivers.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right, and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

*Do you by any chance have a CD in the drive when this occurs? Do you have
packet-writing software (for CD-RW) installed, such as InCD or DirectCD?

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

*What anti-virus app is it? Older, out-of-date versions of orton (Symantec)
Anti-Virus can cause similar errors, usually due to out-of-date VxD files used by
the program.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Thanks Glen. I've been away for four weeks. Sometimes there will be a "chain" of blue pages with slightly different errror messages, and some do contain an imbedded "VXD". How do I update or reinstall video drivers? I do not have a CD in the drive. I do have Direct CD installed. My old anti-virus was Norton/Symantec. I've uninstalled it... now using AVG. AVG is up-to-date and some files were quarantined but there's been no change in performance.

Have been away from this groups recently, and just saw your reply. After reading
your reply to Ron, I agree with him that a failing hard drive is the most likely
suspect based on the further info you posted.

My standard blurb:

I suggest you make sure the hard drive is OK, by running the diagnostics from the
hard drive manufacturer's web site.

If you don't know what brand the drive is, you can download the limited-use free
edition of OnTrack Data Advisor from this location:
http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor

When you click the download link on that page for Data Advisor 5.0 Free edition, you
will be taken to a page to register with the OnTrack site, then you will be able to
download the diskette creator file.

The downloads are diskette creators. They are to be run once from a working Windows
system and will guide you through the process of extracting the Data Advisor onto a
3.5" floppy disk.

Download and Use Instructions:
http://www.ontrack.com/dataadvisor/downloadinfo.asp

As far as I know, Maxtor's diagnostics will also work with any brand of drive, and
the older versions of Seagate Seatools also, but I am not sure about the new
version.

Hard Drive Diagnostic Programs by Vendor:

OnTrack Data Advisor:
http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor
IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test:
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools:
http://support.wdc.com/download/
Quantum/Maxtor PowerMax:
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/downloads/powermax.htm
Seagate SeaTools:
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html
Download:
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/B7a.html
http://www.seagate.com/support/seato...toold_reg.html

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"David" wrote in message
...


"glee" wrote:

*replies inline....
"David" wrote in message
...
"David" wrote in message
...
Recently, I haven't been able to use Windows Explorer. Internal routines
(like "browse") which rely on Explorer don't work, either. I can launch
most
programs, if they have a short-cut on my desktop. But, if they're not
there,
I can't get at them through Windows Explorer.
Recently, my system hangs very easily (usually when I try to access a file
which might envoke Explorer?). If I use CTL-ALT-DEL it'll say Microsoft
Word
doc (for example) not responding.

Other times it'll say, "Explorer not responding".

I've thought of uninstalling and installing Windows 98. I'm a registered
user with a CD and a "key" which have never been used. That seems a bit
drastic. I worry about not being able to get a stuff on that computer.

Any ideas?


Thanks Ron.
I have an icon for windows explorer on my task bar. When I click on that
Explorer falshes before my eyes for a fraction of a second... then the screen
goes black... then blue (curses!) with the "A fatal exception 0E has occurred
at 0028:00000000. The current program will be terminated." I get two mre
blue screens before my desktop comes back.

*Is that the complete error? Does it name any VxD file, using this format: "A
fatal
exception 0E has occurred at 0028:00000000 in VXD filename..."?
Are the other two blue screen errors identical, or are they different errors?

An exception 0E at an 0028: memory address often indicates a video hardware or
video
driver problem. After following Ron's suggestions to check for spyware and
other
malware, you might try updating or reinstalling the video drivers.

When I use the Start - Programs - Windows Explorer method Explorer comes
up with a collapsed window on the left column showing three items/levels
(Desktop, My Computer, and (C), only , an expanded treee on the right, and
an hour-glass. No communications are available at that point.

*Do you by any chance have a CD in the drive when this occurs? Do you have
packet-writing software (for CD-RW) installed, such as InCD or DirectCD?

I've always practiced "safe computing", with scheduled up-dates and scans.
However, when I got a new computer, last fall, I switched my up-date
subscription to my new computer. I rarely use the older one (that's the Win
98 one) for internet. Up-dates have not been done for several months, but
using definitions current last fall, I've done scans which show no
contamination.

*What anti-virus app is it? Older, out-of-date versions of orton (Symantec)
Anti-Virus can cause similar errors, usually due to out-of-date VxD files used
by
the program.

Explorer stayed hung up fro a long time. I did CTL-ALT-DEL followed by End
task (twice). Eventually, I got my desktop back. With Explorer closed I
couldn't open anything! Eventually I had to turn off my machine the wrong
way!
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Thanks Glen. I've been away for four weeks. Sometimes there will be a "chain"
of blue pages with slightly different errror messages, and some do contain an
imbedded "VXD". How do I update or reinstall video drivers? I do not have a CD in
the drive. I do have Direct CD installed. My old anti-virus was Norton/Symantec.
I've uninstalled it... now using AVG. AVG is up-to-date and some files were
quarantined but there's been no change in performance.