Problem with explorer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeffrey Needle
  • Start date Start date
J

Jeffrey Needle

I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

I'm having problems with Windows Explorer. It generally happens when I right-click on my desktop. The problem is that is error is sporadic -- sometimes Windows works correctly, but many times it crashes.

When the system crashes, I get an error message that the module in trouble is explorer.exe, and it references the mfc44.dll file.

I've gone through my system and renamed the mfc44.dll's that exist on my system, keeping only the correctly named dll in \windows\system32. The version in c:\I386 would not allow the rename. This enabled me to see what would happen if Windows thought there was only the one copy of mfc44.dll on my system.

This didn't help -- same problem.

Any thoughts? Is there a repair tool available that I can use? My computer didn't come with a WinXP CD, so I don't have access to the repair tool on the CD.

I'm on a Dell Desktop system, WinXP.

Thanks.
 
If it's any help I don't have that file on my system. This might suggests
it's part of an installed application and not native to windows. Could it be
something to do with your display driver if it errors only when you right
click in the desktop.
Neil
 
This didn't happen by itself...there's a cause but you haven't given us
any hints. Have you made any changes to your system - hardware or
software? Installed or uninstalled anything? What were you doing on the
computer just before this started to happen?
 
test the issue in
safe mode.

if it doesn't occur
in safe mode, then
you will have to look
at something installed
in normal mode.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
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"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
You know, I install and uninstall all the time, and I can't recall when the problem started. It's been happening for a few months now. I've just worked around it. Sorry I can't be more explicit.
 
I thought explorer.exe was on *every* computer, along with the specified dll file.
 
I'll do it and report back. Thanks.

test the issue in
safe mode.

if it doesn't occur
in safe mode, then
you will have to look
at something installed
in normal mode.
Click to expand...
 
Try this:

Open a command prompt.

A) sfc /scannow - Scans the integrity of all protected system files and
repairs the system files if needed.
B) sfc /verifyonly - Scans and only verifies the integrity of all protected
system files only.
C) sfc /scanfile=(full path of file) - Scans the integrity of the chosen
system file and repairs it if needed.

If that does not work, go here and download and run FixSell.

http://www.paulsxp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=133
 
Well, I just tested in safe mode. Same problem -- crashes on right-click. But not all the time -- it's oddly sporadic. It seems to crash more often when I right click on an icon than when I right click in an empty place on the desktop.
 
Thanks. Tried it, didn't work.
Click to expand...

His pirated tools have an added feature of blocking access to quality
and reputable anti-malware sites. Check your HOST file for his crap.
 
Try this:

Open a command prompt.

A) sfc /scannow - Scans the integrity of all protected system files and
repairs the system files if needed.
B) sfc /verifyonly - Scans and only verifies the integrity of all
protected system files only.
C) sfc /scanfile=(full path of file) - Scans the integrity of the chosen
system file and repairs it if needed.

If that does not work, go here and download and run FixSell.

http://www.paulsxp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=133
Click to expand...

Ach, tried all these, and the problem persists.
 
His pirated tools have an added feature of blocking access to quality
and reputable anti-malware sites. Check your HOST file for his crap.
Click to expand...

Oh dear, not good. I use Opera. I have no idea where my HOST file is. Can you advise so I can make sure things are okay? Thanks.
 
Oh dear, not good. I use Opera. I have no idea where my HOST file is. Can you advise so I can make sure things are okay? Thanks.
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter what browser you use, the HOSTS file is always in
the same place:

C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

Open it with Notepad.
 
Jeffrey

This mfc44.dll doesn't exist on my computer and a search in Google suggests
you are possibly the only user who has it! This suggests malware.

What are the properties of the file in the system 32 folder? Place the
cursor on the file in Windows Explorer and select File, Properties, Version
tab.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
1.32 -freeware (if you upgrade you pay).
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

Run Malwarebytes' in safe mode and turn off your current anti-virus
before you do to avoid a conflict. Disregard the invitation on the web
site regarding the Registry Optimiser -a Registry Optimiser is not a
helpful utility.


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
I'd agree that explorer is on every PC. But it might be calling that DLL
because of some installed application. Right clicking on the desktop is
often to set the display settings that's why I thought it might be a driver.
You could also try replacing the DLL in the system32 folder with the one
from the i386 folder. (perhaps backup the original first before replacing
it)
Neil
 
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