Explorer.exe

[jmgern24]

Not sure if I am in the right place here, if not, sorry. I have a PC running XP SP2. Tired to update Norton Anti-virus though the web, while doing this I am told the PC shut down. Since then I boot the PC and all I get is a blank screen w/ mouse pointer. I then have to go to task manager to start explorer.exe and all is fine then (desktop loads and I can use everything as usual). I scanned for viruses using another virus software, scanned for spyware with Spybot (which found a few things) - Adaware locks up half way though. I even ran Hijack This and removed a few things but I get the same result. I still have to use task manager to start explorer.exe. Oh yeah, one more thing, I can't install Norton off the web...it tells me there are errors and the installation is incomplete. Any suggestions? Is a repair install my best bet? Thanks for taking a look at this. By the way, I am brand-spanking new here to this forum! First post!

[rjfvillarosa]

How many antivirus applications do you have installled and are they all running at start up?

[jmgern24]

I have only one running at startup. I had to get Norton's uninstall tool to get it all of the PC.

[jmgern24]

Another question. If I perform a repair install will I have to get a new product key from Microsoft during or after this operation?

[rjfvillarosa]

No you will need your existing product key, a repair install is a very good way to go with this right now, are you familiar on how to perform the procedure?

[jayb1234]

Sounds like the remnants of norton are causing the problem.

Check their website for removal tools to clean it up.

Your key should be ok. if you do a repair install, make sure to hit windows update right away and get back up to date.

You will have to reinstall most or all of your 3rd party programs.

[jmgern24]

Thanks for the comments you guys. I think I will be alright with the repair install. The only thing I fear is that the people I am doing this for said they have no XP disk. Hopefully they can find it fast! Because if they can't then they will have to deal with it I guess. Thanks again. I will post back in a few days to let you know how I made out.

[rjfvillarosa]

If they dont have a disk there are still ways to do it BUT you must use the exact same version disk as is what is installed on that machine.

[jmgern24]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa If they dont have a disk there are still ways to do it BUT you must use the exact same version disk as is what is installed on that machine.

For example, if their version is XP Home I have to make sure I use XP Home. If it is XP Professional, use XP Professional. Is that what you mean? Thanks for your quick replies!

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by jmgern24 For example, if their version is XP Home I have to make sure I use XP Home. If it is XP Professional, use XP Professional. Is that what you mean? Thanks for your quick replies!

Not only check if it is Home or Pro but if it had Service Pack 1 or 2 bundled with it, also, what type of machine are you working on, store bought branded machine or custom built?

[jmgern24]

I'm back. perfoemd the repair install last night using an OEM disk that was not the original disk that came with the PC (owner said one was not shipped with the PC). I had to use the product code on the disk not the product code that came with the version that was pre-installed on the pc. Problem is, how do I change the product code back to the original?

[jmgern24]

Let me make clear that I had to use the product key on the disk to activate windows once the repair istall was completed. I actually could use the original code that was on the sticker on the back of the PC to perform the repair install. It was after I had it installed did I realize that I had to use the product code on the disk rather than the one that came with the PC. Hope this isn't too confusing.

[rjfvillarosa]

Have a read of this article and it should help you change the product key:
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q328874

[jmgern24]

Thanks for the info rjf, I actually tried that procedure the other night to no avail. I kept getting the "windows was already activated message." I called Micorsoft and had to get a new product code. Not sure what will happen with the product code that was on the disk I used, I guess I will have to sort that out with Microsoft. All this would be avoided if the manufactuer would have shipped the PC with an XP disk. Still not sure how to avoid this mess if it happens again. Again, thanks to everyone for their comments.

[glc]

Computers that do not ship with a XP disk usually have a restore partition for reloads and the manufacturer's website will have instructions how to access and use it. They often have a Windows utility to create your own restore media from that partition too in case the whole hard drive dies.