Explorer.exe application was unable to start correctly

Hello:  I am having trouble with my Dell Laptop.  I am unable to boot into normal mode, I can only boot into safe mode.  When I try to boot into Normal Mode, I get to the sign in screen, click on my user icon & enter my password, and it eventually gives me the error message listed in the subject of this post,

As near as I can tell, this all started after I ran a chkdsk from the command prompt in order to fix a disc error.  Prior to running this command, I was able to boot into normal mode & use all the functions of the laptop, however, I would receive an error upon startup that there was a disc error & I needed to run the chkdsk.  

Initially I was able to run the chkdks or a "system restore" until I uninstalled Avast, which is the program that seemed to be causing the disc error.  

At this point, I have tried the following things all to no avail:

* I ran chkdsk

* System restore (was unable to restore back to a previous date

* Startup repair from the boot menu

* Searched for file KB2659262 to delete this file per one of the forums, but was unable to find file.

*Opened up explorer.exe, opened properties, opened security tab, looked at permissions.  They were all set to "allow" (except a few that were not set, but were unable to be edited).

Any other suggestions?