'Explorer.exe Application Error' No Icons, No task bar --- Help!

Question

Hi,   I'm having problems with my Inspiron 6000 and I'm hoping someone can help me.   ISSUE:  When I boot the computer, Windows begins to load and I go to the screen where I can select the user.  I then get an error message 'Explorer.exe Application Error.  The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005).  Click OK to terminate teh application.'  If I click OK, it takes me to my desktop, but there are no icons and no start menu; just the mouse.  Around that time, I also get a McAfee popup that says that a bad file has been found and that I should run a scan.  I'm able to get my Task Manager open and can run McAfee and Adaware that way, but I'm not able to to access icons, the start menu, and can't otherwise use the machine.  Plus, I'm worried that it is now infected and data is being 'spied' on.   HISTORY:  Yesterday I was on the internet and after going to a site it looked like there was an attempted download that I rejected.  My personal firewall picked it up.  But then I got a tool bard notice 'Your computer is infected with spyware' (little red exclamation).  I ran McAfee and Adaware and found three trojan files dated from 1994.  I deleted and quarantined these, and then shut the computer down.  [Also, when I got the infection, I got a full bluescreen on my desktop with a notice saying that I was infected and a link to an anti-virus software.  I then realized that it was not Blue-Screen-of-Death, but was like a window that I could reduce and close, so I suspected that it was some advertisement].    QUESTION:  How can I get Windows to run properly?  Was Explorer.exe corrupted, and how can I fix (via the task manager)?  If I can get things up and running, how do I clean out the problem?  Help!

msil217 · Answer

System restore??

open task manager

File---New task

Type in "explorer.exe" (no quotes) OK

Or, type in "%SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe" (no quotes) ok

Try to restore to a time before the problems began.

coffeecoffee · Answer

Thanks!  I'll try that.  By doing 'system restore', am I at risk of losing any data/files stored on my computer from BEFORE the restore period.  (e.g. if today is Tuesday and I restore to a time on Monday, then I won't lose stuff that was on my computer up through Sunday, right?)

msil217 · Answer

No. When you revert to monday, the previous sunday is not affected, etc.   It will affect system files and programs installed or uninstalled during that time. monday-tuesday, etc.   Pictures, Documents, music, videos should not be affected. But if you can, it's always a good idea to back up.   I hope you understand, :)     Message Edited by msil217 on 05-09-200605:10 PM

chuket · Answer

Even though have an AV program, it might be a good idea to do an online scan here: http://www.bitdefender.com/

CDAllen13 · Answer

I'm having the same problem.  After my spy sweeper boots up I get a blank screen with no icons at all only the mouse. (Inspiron 1150)

vonmalul · Answer

You may try bringing up the machine in Safe Mode.   If you are able to get to your desktop, try running the System File Checker at the next boot-up.   Start > Run > type in SFC /SCANONCE   That will set the machine to check potected system files at the next boot-up.  You will probably need your Windows XP CD if the System File Checker finds any corrupt or changed files.

dunedin · Answer

I think you`ve got Spyaxe or Spy Falcon or Spy Sheriff. These are new bad nasties.

They throw the message that your computer is infected and offer to download antispyware for you
"Click here to protect your computer from spyware"

It would be safest for you to use HijackThis and post your log on the HijackThis forum here for help from the experts in this sort of thing.

If I`m right, some of these programs try to send out your personal information, so don`t hang about!

Windows General

"Explorer.exe Application Error" No Icons, No task bar --- Help!

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