Windows explorer not responding

[fisher]

This happens after i go offline, the the whole thing locks up and i have to reboot???? How do i fix this. i go ctrl alt del and i see explorer not responding??



Any body who creates a virus or a worm should be shot dead on the spot they are of no use to our society.....

[Cricket]

Which Windows are you using?

Did this problem always exist or did it just start? Did you install anything new recently (hardware or software)?

What are your system specs?

Have you scanned for viruses, spyware and trojans yet?

Are you on dialup or broadband?

Is this a brand new computer or an existing one? Home built or store bought name brand?

Cricket

[fisher]

Win 98 Se and i believe these files files were damaged due to viruses i have gotten. It looks like it is time to reformatt, and if thats the case i will cancel the internet, and sell this pc. I have had enough of this, it is a bigger money pit than my car.

[TheMajor]

use this command: sfc /scannow
it will look if all files are original
I'm not sure if it works though

[glc]

TheMajor: That's not a command used in 98SE.

fisher: Are virus and spyware scans now coming up clean? If so, you can try doing an "over the top" reinstall of Windows. Gary Routh has a good thread going on this:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846

[fisher]

I updated my AVG software, and then did the SFC scan and it does work, it found one corrupted file which i then restored. My virus scan found 2 infected files, then healed them so i am all clean for now??

[TheMajor]

SFC in Win98?
I knew it would work.

Well you have to go offline and see if it shuts down properly

[fisher]

Well all appears to be working. I noticed in the over the top install thread that you can instal just the system files do you need to do that from the DOS prompt? The guy wasnt very specific with those instructions as he was with the first set.

And i don't have a boot disc?? All i have is the OS disc, will this work?

[glc]

SFC does work, but you generally run just SFC - and choose your options.

Yes, you can boot with the 98 CD and do a setup - just do it over the top of the existing one - when it wants to install to \windows.000 you change it to \windows.

[fisher]

Do i have to extract all the cab files first?

[fisher]

Ok i am a PC dummy here and running into trouble. I need step by step intructions, DON"T assume i know any short cuts.

[fisher]

When i type in rename win.com win.bak i get a win.com file not found message.

Is there an easier way just to install the system files? is there a better way to install the cab files?

[glc]

Try doing it without renaming win.com - do it just like you were installing Windows on a blank formatted drive. Boot with the CD, setup Windows 98. NOTE CAREFULLY where it wants to install Windows. You want to change the path to the EXACT path where it already is. Yes, you will get a warning about there already being a Windows installation there - if you do NOT get the warning, you aren't installing to the right path.

[fisher]

So what is the Path? where do i want to install windows?
C:\windows.000

[fisher]

Well to hell with it. i put the cd in and opened the cd and clicked on set up??/ Will see what happens.

[GaryRouth]

Sorry, I've been busy here at work [...and we're cleaning the carpets here! I keep having to hurdle over things to get to my consoles and terminals...]

fisher - you should be OK starting from the CD, just like glc mentioned. Just change the path to C:\Windows if prompted for C:\Windows.000

If you don't make that change, don't panic, no great harm done: you just end up with an extra Windows installation - and that is fixable. Hal has a thread on how: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=38140

If you have more questions, ask away.
. . . Gary

[p.s. ...I'd recommend a couple of things due to our current Security troubles on the Internet: 1) make sure to install the Critical Security updates as soon as possible after the reinstall. [I hope you're behind a firewall?] An unprotected PC can be infected in as little at 20 to 40 minutes. 2) Once the patches are current, visit some online virus scanners (I like to recommend TrendMicro's HouseCall, since it behaves well with other scanners present on the computer - http://housecall.trendmicro.com) . . . Using the online scanners is a good way to double-check your local scanner. Just this weekend, I found a backdoor trojan on a PC here at the lab, even though it had an up-to-date version of McAffee Enterprise running on it. Housecall found the pest and removed it. There are just so many it's hard to rely on just one scan nowadays...]

[glc]

Originally Posted by fisher So what is the Path? where do i want to install windows? C:\windows.000

No, this has been addressed multiple times in both this thread and in the tips and tricks thread. Change it to where Windows already is, which is most likely c:\windows.

[fisher]

Thanks Gary. But i still have no clue? I have no idea how many sets of windows i have? and it never asked me to change anything or where i wanted it installed. Like i said i am a PC dummy and really dont mind. LOL I am not going to bother trying to remove anything?? Unless it is real important that i do?

Thanks for all your help, even though i never understood any of it. i must of got lucky with the install.

[GaryRouth]

Heck, we all had to start learning our computer basics at some point, don't worry about starting out at square one.

If you look at your hard drives with Windows Explorer, and you only see one /Windows folder, then you're OK. It went to the right place. You'll notice, if things went right, that you don't have to reinstall any of your programs.

But do be sure to visit Windows Update as soon as possible for the Security patches. It's not safe without them anymore.
. . . Gary

[fisher]

Hey Gary i checked, and there is only one. Thanks for all your help.