Windows Explorer has encountered a problem...

[Leif]

Not just me, but three of us at work, all with similar Dell Vostro 410 / XP SP3 systems, are encountering the same issue.

Within Windows Explorer, trying to delete, move, copy or right-click a file results in:

x.jpg

and the WE window closes. It is logged in event Viewer as:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Application Error
Event Category: None
Event ID: 1000
Date: 09/09/10
Time: 15:55:42
User: N/A
Computer: L03
Description:
Faulting application explorer.exe, version 6.0.2900.5512, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x03bdabb4. (Note: Fault address varies each time.)

After that, to be able to open a WE window, it is necessary to kill Explorer.exe in TaskManager and restart it, but the same thing happens again.
Trying to empty the Recycle Bin has the same result.

Bios is up to date. The furthest-back System Restore I have doesn't help. chkdsk doesn't throw up anything (and remember there are 3 systems with similar symptoms.)

Probably started 2-3 weeks ago - difficult to pin down.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

[stuck]

I've got a Lenovo XP SP3 box her at work and can merrily del/move/right click in Windows Explorer that points to a Dell issue. Has MS Update helpfully installed a new driver recently?

At home on my XPMCE box I had to unistall and then hide a driver update because it killed the sound yet MS Update kept offering it to me (a Google showed that other people had the same issue with the same update from MS).

[JoeP]

Does this happen in safe mode?

Joe

[Leif]

Stuck: No drivers, just 'Security Updates'

Joe: Just going to try that now.

Thanks both...

[HansV]

The problem might be caused by a faulty shell extension. You can use ShellExView to manage shell extensions; you might try turning them off one by one to see if the problem goes away.

[Leif]

Thanks all.

Safe Mode (with networking) was fine.

So, checked ATI for driver update, downloaded and installed it, and all seems fine now. Last time I trust Dell to tell me if there were any driver updates, I should have known...

I'll go and update the other two and

[JoeP]

Nice detective work.

At least you resolved it. That is much better than facing a reload or other time consuming debugging avenues.

Joe

[Leif]

Well I thought I would check my Sony Laptop at home for updates. ATI tells me to check with Sony because the hardware is 'legacy' or something and they don't support it any more. Sony tells me my model (VGN-BX296XP) does not exist. Gawd, I hate laptops!

[JoeP]

I found the same thing with a Dell laptop at work & at home. Both have ATI cards and I'm supposed to check with Dell. I gave up on them as far as graphics driver updates are concerned. Just think how much "fun" it will be when the slate for factor starts hitting work.

Joe

[Leif]

I spoke too soon.

The problem seems to be related to Handy Folders - disabling it resolves the problem, and it is quite repeatable.

Somehow, in updating my driver above, HandyFolders starting at StartUp got disabled...

[JoeP]

Perhaps something got corrupted. Are you going to try an uninstall & reinstall?

Joe

[Leif]

Are you going to try an uninstall & reinstall?

HandyFolders? - Yes, problem persists
XP? - No!

I've posted the problem at HF, but I'm not going to hold my breath. Instead, I'll start tinkering tomorrow with a new system that's arrived and will run W7. 'Tis a pity, as HandyFolders is/was darned useful.

[JoeP]

Did you apply the .DLL loading fix for the latest "sky is falling issue" from MS? That would break a program that was not following the rules correctly.

Joe

[Leif]

Not knowingly!