I’m running Version 2002 WindowsXP Pro SP3. Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GIG RAM. All updates are current. Every time I click on control panel windows crashes. I get the error message windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. As soon as I click on send or don’t send for the error report the task bar and all my desk top icons disappear or refresh. When the task bar returns it’s missing one or two of the icons. SoundBlaster volume control icon is always missing. When I check event viewer, under applications, the error message is always the same faulting application explorer.exe at module ntdll.dll. I’ve gone through all my programs and uninstalled all the ones I no longer use. I’ve cleaned all my temp files and junk files. I don’t believe it’s being caused by spyware or malware. I’m careful and I’m running a good anti-spyware, webroot. This is what I’ve tried so far; I tried system restore but it doesn’t go back far enough. I’ve had this problem for almost a year but it was random and then only when I clicked on a task after control panel. Under Performance-Data execution prevention, I have windows and windows services only checked. I tried disabling all the services under msconfig but it still crashes. I’ve run check disk twice and I’ve run sfc /scannow twice with no luck. I’ve searched online and Microsoft support and finding someone else with the same problem is easy however no one seems to have a solution for this problem. One other thing I’ve noticed while searching is this problem has been around for a few years and although most are very similar, I haven’t found two people with the exact same problem. I haven’t done a repair install of WindowsXP yet. Others have tried but the problem was still there after they did a repair from the disk. Occasionally DrWatson’s postmortem debugger will crash right after windows explorer crashes. Does anyone have any ideas what is causing this? Thanks for your time.1 person got this answerI do too

Often, instabilities in Windows Explorer are attributable to faulty shell extensions and addons. Consider using Sysinternals Autoruns or ShellExView. Disable non-Microsoft shell extensions and add-ons, and check the behavior. If it is gone, re-enable the disabled extensions/add-ons, one at a time, and see if you can identify which may be responsible.Try a clean boot, or boot into safe mode. Does the behavior persist? What about with a different user account?If you continue to experience the behavior, since you're using XP, check the Dr. Watson dump folder for a crash dump with a timestamp that matches an Explorer.exe crash. Start->run-drwtsn32.exe and check the "Crash Dump" setting. If the timestamp of user.dmp matches, ZIP user.dmp, upload it to your SkyDrive, and provide a link.

I ran Malwarebytes and it found 2 items that I deleted. I disabled all non Microsoft add-ons and the problem still exists. I ran ShellExView and disabled all non Microsoft shell extensions but the problem still exists. I switched users and I tried Guest account, same problem. I started in safe mode but still get the error. However in safe mode I could only get it to crash when I clicked on Control Panel>User Accounts. I’m not sure if Dr. Watson is configured correctly. There was only one user.dmp file created Dec 2009. I have to figure out how Dr. Watson works, sorry. Should I start with the Microsoft shell extensions and disable them one at a time? There are about 280. I've only been using a computer for a few years and I'm an old man. I'm doing the best I can. I really appreciate your time and your help. Thank you!

For starters - can you run drwtsn32.exe from start->run and describe what you see for the various settings? For example - is "Create Crash Dump File" checked?

In the window Dr. Watson for windows: Log File Path: C:\Documents and Settings\All users\Application Data\Microsoft\DrWatsonCrash Dump: C:\Documents and Settings\All users\Application Data\Microsoft\DrWatson\user.dmp Wave File: Blank,Number of instructions: 10, Number of errors to save: 10 Crash Dump Type: Full Under Options: Dump all thread contexts is checked and Create crash dump file is checked No others are checked. Under Application Errors the window is blank and the buttons "View" and "Clear" do not work. Thanks again for your time and patients with me!

OK - from start->run, please type in drwtsn32.exe -i, and press Enter. You should get a message stating "Dr. Watson has been installed as the default application debugger". Acknowledge that message and then reproduce or wait for the problem with explorer.exe to happen. When it does, again check for a user.dmp file with an appropriate timestamp. If one is not created, we can resort to other means that are less direct but will still produce the desired output.

OK 2 Files were created when I made windows crash. A .zip file that contains the user.dmp file and a log file DrWatson32. I will put both in a public folder on skydrive (I hope) and send the link. I hope I'm doing this right. Thank You!This should be the link: http://cid-a235c39fb84f71b4.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public

Unfortunately, the crash dump (user.dmp) is not from an explorer.exe crash but rather an iexplore.exe crash (Internet Explorer) from Dec. 31, 2009.The Dr. Watson log has characteristics that make me think some memory corruption may be taking place - the crash is happening around an attempt to free some memory.The following third-party modules were loaded into the address space of explorer.exe at the time of the crash - it would be good to see if you can check the behavior without some of them. Check into uninstalling (temporarily) the software the modules are associated with, or disable them with one of the aforementioned apps:C:\WINDOWS\system32\logishrd\LVPrcInj01.dllC:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\PDFShell.dllC:\PROGRA~1\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SSCtxMnu.dllC:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamext.dllC:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\Backup\CtxMenu_1_0_0_10.dllC:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\lgscroll.dllC:\PROGRA~1\WINZIP\WZSHLSTB.DLLC:\PROGRA~1\WIFD1F~1\MpShHook.dll

I'm sorry about that 2009 user.dmp file. I should of checked it first. I uninstalled the following programs; webroot; logitech set point; malwarebytes; Adobe Acrobat and winzip. I disabled the following shell ext: C:\WINDOWS\system32\logishrd\LVPrcInj01.dll and C:\PROGRA~1\WIFD1F~1\MpShHook.dll. I ran sfc/scannow and chkdsk. I clicked on control panel>system, control panel> administration tools and explorer crashed. This time I got a user.dmp file and another DrWatson32.log and added them to the public folder.I really appreciate all your help No. Compromise but I can't help but wonder, with all the time spent on this, when do you throw up your hands and say **** it? Here is the link:http://cid-a235c39fb84f71b4.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public. I noticed in event viewer the error message is the same However the source has changed from Application error to .NET Runtime 2.0 Error reporting. Everything else is the same. I'm only going to reinstall webroot anti-spyware for now.Should I start disabling the shell ext one by one and see if that works? Once again, Thank you!

When you using the ShellEXview do you see the non-windows processors highlighted with red? disbale all of the highlighted red processors and reboot.Also, it is not good to mention just you seen an Error for DotNet without the exact verbatim of the error message. Try the event viewer again and let us have the error log, sometimes the drWtsn32 log can be corrupted and doesn't help in pin pointing the culprit.HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XPhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-usPlease we need just the error messages with Red (X) and don't repeat theerror, just one of each kind and post them back in your next post.This definitely caused by ShellEx that causing this issue with Explorer to crash.Can you let us know the entries in these keys in your next post:<Quote from Ramesh::>HKCR \*\shellex\contextmenuhandlers FilesHKCR\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ contextmenuhandlers Files and file foldersHKCR\Folder\shellex\contextmenuhandlers FoldersHKCR\Directory\shellex\contextmenuhandlers File FoldersHKCR\<ProgID>\shellex\contextmenuhandlers File classHKCR\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers Desktop</Quote::> Any third-party toolbars installed on your browser?nass -- http://www.nasstec.co.uk

Thank you nass1 for the help. In ShellEXview I disabled all non microsoft shell extentions and rebooted. I clicked on control panel>system>close>control panel>performance and maintenance>closed>control panel and windows explorer crashed.Event viewer>Applications> Up untill yesterday it has always been; Type: ErrorSource: Application Error, Category: None, Event ID: 1000, Description: Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, faulting module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.5755, fault address 0x00011766 This was next; Type: ErrorSource: .NET Runtime 2.0 Error, Category: None, Event ID: 1000, Description: Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, stamp 48025c30, faulting module ntdll.dll, version 5.1.2600.5755, stamp 49901d48, debug? 0, fault address 0x00011766I need your help here, the first 3 registry keys I looked at have no mention of files or files and folders after contextmenuhandlers. The first one:HKCR \*\shellex\contextmenuhandlers Offline Files: Name- (Default) Type- REG_SZ DATA- {750fdf0e-2a26-11d1-a3ea-080036587f03}HKCR\AllFileSystemObjects\shellex\ contextmenuhandlers Send To: Name(Default) Type-REG_SZ DATA- {7BA4C740-9E81-11CF-99D3-00AA004AE837}HKCR\Folder\shellex\contextmenuhandlers Offline Files: Name- (Default) Type- REG_SZ DATA- {750fdf0e-2a26-11d1-a3ea-080036587f03}I need to know what to select after contextmenuhandlers. Should I enable the shell ext that I disabled or leave them disabled? Thank you for your help and your time.

The only tool bars I have enabled are Windows live toolbar and Bing toolbar. I have google tool bar but it's not enabled. The problem started before I had either of the tool bars installed. Sorry I forgot to add that.Rick

Rick,Sorry, forget about the files and folders that what suppose to be in the entry or pointing to a file or a folder!That been said, please try to scan for malware and viruses by downloading the following software, install, update and run a COMPLETE SCAN then send me the hijackthis log and also use the hijackthis to get the list of programs/applications installed. Please read the tutorial on Trend.SuperAntispyware - Freehttp://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.htmlMalwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malwarehttp://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exeDownload hijackthis and send me the log file to help you out with this error message.HijackThis v2(http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php ) Here the address to send me the log, please remove the obvious to mail me(dot).Email removed for privacyRemove whatever (dot) to mail me.nass -- http://www.nasstec.co.uk

The dump you uploaded showed that C:\WINDOWS\system32\logishrd\LVPrcInj01.dll was loaded; that module is the "Logitech Camera Software Camera Helper Library". Please double-check that this is disabled.The crash was caused by heap corruption. Memory corruption (heap corruption is a form of memory corruption) is often tricky because the corruptor is many times long-gone when the crash takes place. Most often, third-party components are to blame.The dump showed evidence that the following modules were loaded at some point, and were unloaded at the time of the crash:AKCPanel.cplnetsetup.cplRTSndMgr.CPLnwc.cpl NWPROVAU.dll Please check the above files on your system - pay attention to the ones that are not from Microsoft (check properties of the files, Details tab). Since the crash happens when you open the control panel, it is likely one of the above .cpl files may be involved. In the list above, consider renaming each of the non-Microsoft modules, [e.g. akcpanel.dll.hold] and then trying to open the control panel. That way, you can hopefully isolate the module that is responsible for the behavior.There are a few other things that can be done to try to flush out the corruptor if the above doesn't work, but I'd suggest starting with the above.

OK No.Compromise, I feel like I'm actualy getting somewhere!! So before I screw it up I want to double check a few things with you. First "...consider renaming each of the non-Microsoft modules, [e.g. akcpanel.dll.hold]"... I found all the modules in the system32 folder. I checked the properties of each of the modules and they are all Microsoft modules. None are in the ShellExView. Should I rename them [e.g. AKCPanel.cpl.hold] and should I do them one at a time and then check control panel or rename them all at the same time? This module, C:\WINDOWS\system32\logishrd\LVPrcInj01.dll I found using search. It looks like the system32 folder is part files and part modules. I found the logishrd fille in sys32 and when I click it I find the LVPrcInj01.dll module by itself.All the non microsoft shell extentions are still disabled in ShellExView. Should I leave them disabled or enable them before I check control panel?One more thing, half of the modules are blue and half are black. I know the blue ones are due to attributes compress file to save space. Shouldn't they all be the same? Maybe it doesn't matter or does it? Thank you!!

The color of the files in explorer shouldn't have any impact on what you're experiencing (the compression state won't affect the code in the dll).I'd suggest keeping the existing items that are disabled, disabled, to eliminate the potential for introducing something back into the mix that may also have a problem.Are you sure e.g. akcpanel.cpl is a Microsoft module?Can you humor me by renaming it to akcpanel.cpl.HOLD? Then try to open control panel (which will look for files with a .CPL extension and probe them to determine if they are legitimate control panel applets, and if it should load them). If explorer STILL crashes, reboot after renaming the file, and ensure the files stays named as akcpanel.cpl.HOLD when the system comes back up. Try opening Control Panel again.

Once again I appoligise. It is not a microsoft module but anark media application. The module has no file extention it's just AKCPanel. In its properties the original file name was AKCPanel.cpl Should I change the name in system32 to AKCPanel.HOLD or change the name in properties under value to AKCPanel.cpl.HOLD? The internal name is Anark Control Panel. The original file name is AKCPanel.cpI know it must seem like I'm being a pain in the butt, but I have so much time invested in this, as do you, that we've come too far for me to screw it up now!

Here is the results: First I uninstalled the web cam software. I had a hard time with Anark Control panel. I renamed it AKCPanel.HOLD but in loaded modules it changed to AKCPanel.HOLD.cpl I don't remember ever using it so I uninstalled it. I rebooted and clicked control panel. Windows crashed but it took some doing. I clicked on Control panel then system closed it user account closed it add and remove programs closed it closed control panel then opened it clicked user accounts then when I opened my browser windows crashed. I then renamed netsetup.cpl to netsend.cpl.HOLD and nwc.cpl to nwc.cpl.HOLD I rebooted and clicked on control panel. For 20 minutes I've been giving it a work out and opening and closing cp and the tasks in cp I haven't been able to make windows crash yet.I don't want to say it's fixed but I think it is! Without your help I never would have gotten this far. I don't know how to thank you! Thank you so much my friend. You have no idea what I've been through and all the time I've spent on this problem. Maybe you do. I've been an appliance technician for almost 30 years and I help people fix there appliance problems online. Whenever I tell someone what to do to fix it and it works I get this really good feeling. Right now I hope you have that feeling. You deserve it!! You made an old man happy.Before I get too carried away I would like to know how to enable the non Microsoft shell extensions, one at a time and check control panel or all at once. What should I do about the last 2 modules I renamed? Both are Microsoft. Leave them the way they are? I'll reinstall my web cam software then check control panel again. Would you have any advise for me before I install it? And what about the file attributes? Do nothing? Oh ____, I'll figure it out! Thank you my friend!OK I've been working on control panel for a good 30 minutes now and nothing! no crash no errors. Unfreakin' believable! Outstanding! Rock on!! Peace!!Rick Burton...............As far as I'm concerned, You can MARK THIS QUESTION SOLVED!!WITH MY LUCK AS SOON AS I CLICK SUBMIT...LOL

Well, you clicked submit... I'll assume no crashes? :-)You can rename the .HOLDs back to their original name, with the apparent exception of AKCPanel, if that's still on your system. I suspect that module was responsible for your troubles. So it would be good to restore your system to the state it was in before we began troubleshooting. As such, undo all of the disabling you did, rename the files back to their original names (again, aside from AKCPanel), etc.You uninstalled the AKCPanel (Anark Control Panel), and this seems to have caused the control panel not to load the AKCPanel.cpl module.About the only advice I'd have would be not to install the Anark Control Panel again... :-) It is certainly refreshing to hear that you were able to stop the Control Panel from crashing!

Anark is history!! Everything is restored and back to normal. I've been trying all morning to make it crash and it won't. Partly because I can't believe it's fixed and partly just out of habit....lol. One good thing to come out of this is I sure learned a lot more about my OS and computers in general!THANKS AGAIN No.Compromise.......YOU DA MAN!!!

Hi Rick,You need to Mark No.Compromise post As Answer Not your to let other knows that his method worked for you and give him the credit for it.Glad all working now and thanks to No.Compromise .Good luck nass -- http://www.nasstec.co.uk