something happened to explorer.exe

G

gib65

Member
Hello,

I'm new to the forum and I'm hoping someone can help me with a computer problem I'm having.

I recently wiped out PC Antivirus 2010 from my computer using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and I *think* it was successful. However, I think it wiped out some important system files as well.

It seems to have done something to EXPLORER.EXE or at least the registry entries for it. Many of Window's basic applications (like My Computer, Control Panel, Internet Explorer) won't work. They either give the error message "C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE Application not found" or it asks me which application I want to open it in (ex. with IE it asks me this and I have to tell it IE - but then it shuts down).

I checked to see if explorer.exe was missing and it wasn't. I copied the same file from another computer over to mine just in case it was corrupted, but that didn't solve the problem. I'm guessing it must have something to do with the registry, but I don't want to touch that unless instructed to by a professional.

Has this ever happened to anyone else? Any recommended solution?
 
Im not sure my self but if this is getting on your tits, which im sure it is, then you could do a fresh install of your OS I don't know anyother way to fix this. I have a similar error, EXPLORER.EXE is your OS'S viewer Its what you look at your documents in, Its your taskbar and so on. The navigational part. Mine just crashes and restarts all the time. But it's useable. Try doing the fresh install. This problem isnt too big, Just back up important files on another comp, External hardrive etc etc. Then put your disc in on computer load up. There may be stuff about formatting and partitioning ( i have no clue about partitioning) Im sure someone else does. Hope this helped....
PD
 
Last edited:
Please follow this procedure and I will tell you whether or not your problem is still malware related or not. If not, then most likely you can do a repair install of the os to fix the problem.

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here, here, here or here and save it to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
    • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    • and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
  • When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  • Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  • A log will be saved automatically which you can access by clicking on the Logs tab within Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

If you continue to experience problems after doing this, please post a HijackThis log by doing the following:

Download the HijackThis installer from here.
Run the installer and choose Install, indicating that you accept the licence agreement. The installer will place a shortcut on your desktop and launch HijackThis.

Click Do a system scan and save a logfile

Most of what HijackThis lists will be harmless or even essential, don't fix anything yet.

Post the logfile that HijackThis produces along with the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log
 
MBAM:
Code: 
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3785
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 (Safe Mode)
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180

2/24/2010 9:58:06 AM
mbam-log-2010-02-24 (09-58-06).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 115380
Time elapsed: 5 minute(s), 49 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 2

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\registryfix.exe (Rogue.Installer) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\explorer.exe (Worm.AutoRun) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

HijackThis:
Code: 
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:17:44 AM, on 2/24/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Safe mode with network support

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,Default_Search_URL = http://toolbar.ask.com/toolbarv/askRedirect?o=101757&gct=&gc=1&q=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.bleepingcomputer.com
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AskBar BHO - {201f27d4-3704-41d6-89c1-aa35e39143ed} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {259F616C-A300-44F5-B04A-ED001A26C85C} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: LitmusBHO - {C6867EB7-8350-4856-877F-93CF8AE3DC9C} - C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\NRS\iescript\baselitmus.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {3041d03e-fd4b-44e0-b742-2d9b88305f98} - C:\Program Files\AskBarDis\bar\bin\askBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Browsing Protection Toolbar - {265EEE8E-3228-44D3-AEA5-F7FDF5860049} - C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\NRS\iescript\baselitmus.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe"  -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Version Cue CS2] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\ControlPanel\VersionCueCS2Tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [F-Secure Manager] "C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\Common\FSM32.EXE" /splash
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [F-Secure TNB] "C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\FSGUI\TNBUtil.exe" /CHECKALL /WAITFORSW
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {9059F30F-4EB1-4BD2-9FDC-36F43A218F4A} (Microsoft RDP Client Control (redist)) - https://fmshah-server:8098/tsweb/msrdp.cab
O16 - DPF: {E06E2E99-0AA1-11D4-ABA6-0060082AA75C} - https://pc.mywebexpc.com/client/v_mywebex-pcnow/ra/ieatgpc.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Version Cue CS2 - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\bin\VersionCueCS2.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: FSGKHS (F-Secure Gatekeeper Handler Starter) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\Anti-Virus\fsgk32st.exe
O23 - Service: F-Secure Anti-Virus Firewall Daemon (FSDFWD) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\FWES\Program\fsdfwd.exe
O23 - Service: F-Secure Management Agent (FSMA) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\Common\FSMA32.EXE
O23 - Service: F-Secure ORSP Client (FSORSPClient) - F-Secure Corporation - C:\Program Files\Shaw Secure\ORSP Client\fsorsp.exe
O23 - Service: HP WMI Interface (hpqwmi) - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\HPQ\Shared\hpqwmi.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: SolidPDFCreatorReadSpool (SdReadSpool) - VoyagerSoft, LLC - C:\Program Files\SolidDocuments\SolidPDFCreator\SPC\SolidPdfService.exe

--
End of file - 4900 bytes
 
yes explorer is the Windows program that displays all the stuff on your desktop, so if you were to close it down everything on your desktop would disappear. You can try a system restore or repairing windows with the disc.
 
You do have some minor issues with your log but nothing that would cause the problems you are experiencing. After running malwarebytes how is your system running?
 
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