Attention All Computer Geeks! Please Help...?

Question

I crashed my computer last night and can't even get it to boot up. I keep getting an error message that says that some "explorer.exe" file is missing or something and should be reinstalled to fix problem. Then my wallpaper comes up, but that's it... NO desktop icons or anything. It won't boot at all. I tried to go "restore" going to F10, but it asks for some Administrator Password or something and none of my passwords work. I have no idea what they're talking about.

I would hate to have to reformat my entire hard drive, but even if that was the last resort, I don't think I could do it without being able to boot.

Would it help to try to get to "safe mode"? If so, how would I do that and what do I do once I get there?

Please, someone that actually knows about computers - help! I am running Windows XP Home edition. Thanks. Jeff

Answer 1

Using you XP CD, try this repair that leaves ALL your files INTACT:
http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897
Worked great on my 3 desktops and with one of our peers here.

Answer 2

Explorer.exe is the main interface between the user and computer


it plots icons desktop etc, and processes menu systems (point and click ) by user

First solution is obtain explorer.exe from another system and paste it to your windows directory ( you should have knowledge to use DOS and should boot using DOS/Win98 disk, also you should have A FAT32 as default filesystem other wise no chance to do this)

Second solution choose "repair" option in setup process. it will repair your existing system.

To do this

run setup from winxp cd

In setup process select "Install windows xp" option
when it reach to partiton screen it will prompt you that it found a "previous version of windows do you want to repair it " here select yes and it will repair your current os.

Answer 3

explorer.exe is a file responsible to setup your desktop interface in Windows. If this file is missing, you will not get your taskbar, Windows Start button and desktop icons.

To repair this damage:
1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and open Task Manager.
2. Go to "File" menu and click on "New Task (Run)"
3. Type "cmd" and press "OK".
4. Execute this command "SFC /SCANNOW". (Make sure your Windows installation CD/DVD is present in the CD/DVD drive).
5. Excecute this command "SFC /SCANONCE".

SFC is a command which checks the integrity of all Windows System files, and repairs/restores them if found damaged.
So, you need not format your system to repair it now.

Answer 4

actually, you can either reformat or repair your system files through DOS, you can use your bootable Windows XP CD by restarting your computer, then press delete a number of times until the BIOS Setup will appear, go to the Advanced Setup, then in the Boot Sequence, Set your CD ROM as your Primary Boot Device then save current settings then exit. your computer will automatically reboot. then insert your CD in the CD ROM then it will ask you if you want to boot from CD ROM. press ok a number of times until the windows Setuyp will appear. the Step by step procedures will follow up, it's up to you if you want to repair your system files in drive c or reformat your whole system ok....

Answer 5

Try a repair install:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

This only overwrites your Windows system files so it leaves all other settings and files intact.

Just read on from XP Repair install and you should be fine.

Email me if you have any further questions.

Answer 6

um....don't worry i had about virus i had 99 on my way old computer
and i cant be porn tell me more like everything u did before it crashed OK don't be embarrassed OK email me and tell me what u did OK and i might be able to help OK my email is [e-mail] now when u get this answer email me ok

Answer 7

I'm not trying to pry into your business, but that could be a virus from pornography.

Answer 8

Ohhhh...You were looking at porn! We all know your secret now!