Windows Explorer constantly restarting

[DrGeminiDC]

Hi,

I am trying to fix my uncle's DellXPS M1210 laptop which stopped working properly a few days ago. As far as he knows, he didn't do anything other than install a new codec the day before it started messing up. Whenever he starts it normally, windows explorer will start, fail, and restart perpetually. It opens fine in Safe mode which I used to uninstall the codec but the problem has not been alleviated. I also used the repair disc to repair windows to no avail. Also, for some reason his computer hasn't been setting restore points so there are none (other than the updates that the computer automatically performed after this started) to roll back to. In normal startup,I was able to get to the task manager and noticed 2 instances of explorer running if that helps. Any thoughts? Would a HijackThis log help?

Thanks,

Kelly

 

[Harvey]

That sounds like virus/spyware activity. Your HijackThis log may help others figure out which, if any. Don't forget to turn off restore points and empty the cache of restore info. Otherwise, the infection could linger, there, after removing it from the rest of the drive and re-infect the machine.

When I can't identify a virus, or the removal procedure is too involved, I usually opt to re-install Windows. It's tedious, but some removal procedures are, as well, and some infections can't be completely removed.

Good luck. 🙂