XP boots, but explorer.exe doesn't run, and can't manually launch exe's.

[EvilYoda]

So yeah, I was trying to run the new Need for Speed 6 demo and it froze on me (my roommate had already installed the file too, so I don't think it's a virus, and he scanned the file)...so I manually restarted the computer, and upon restart, the system (after logging in, and quite a delay) gave me an error about the registry (couldn't find parts of it and had to "pull" from somewhere...) but it said it was successful so I paid it no heed. But after that, nothing commenced, so I opened task manager, and noted that all services were running other than explorer (or at least most). So I tried to "run program" explorer, and it says that there is no association with that file type and to do something about it in control panel (of which, I can't get to).

I can use all bat and com commands, such as command, but not cmd. I still have network capability, since I can telnet into my university account and check my email still. Other exe's are present when I check running processes.

Any suggestions? I've tried a few things already...check the reg -> software->microsoft->windowsNT->winlogon-> shell is = explorer.exe

If nothing else, I'll just try copying my roommate's explorer.exe over, and if that doesn't work, proceed with reinstalling. But I REALLY DON'T WANT TO.

HEEEEEEEELP.

 

[igiveup]

How about a System Restore? Choose a point right before the install occured. Have you tried safe mode by any chance? What happened?

If system restore doesn't work then pop the cd in and boot off of it. Do a Repair install. This MIGHT repair things so that you can boot correctly.

 

[EvilYoda]

System Restore? Maybe you should run me through the steps, but I've probably tried it...although I'm not sure. I've tried safe mode, and it's the same thing, still no explorer running. I put the XP CD in to boot off of, but I really dont' know what to do with it, since the recovery console jsut gave me a command line.

The newest updates are that I can still browse through my files when I open "run programs", and I found out that I can open an avi or pdf file, and that will open the respective program! AVI says DirectShow isn't installed correctly, but the PDF was fine. MP3s are not recognized however. ANy ideas?

Please help guys.

 

[igiveup]

Do you have the start menu? If so, System Restore is located off of the Programs section, under Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Note that you CAN use system restore in Safe mode, but it doesn't back anything up, meaning if you hose something with the restore it can't be reversed. That isn't really an issue here.... Posted below is the entire help topic on this....

Begin Cut...
Accessing System Restore You must be a member of the administrator group on your computer to access the System Restore Wizard or change System Restore settings.

If you are an administrator and you cannot access System Restore Wizard or view System Restore settings, your domain administrator might have turned off System Restore by using system Group Policy. Contact your domain administrator for more information.

There are three methods that you can use to access System Restore functionality.

You can access the System Restore Wizard through the Start menu. To access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore.
You can access System Restore through Control Panel. To open the System Restore Wizard, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click System. Click the System Restore tab, and then click Learn more about System Restore. In Help and Support, click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, and then click Run the System Restore Wizard.
You can access System Restore through Help and Support Center. To access the System Restore Wizard, click Start, and then click Help and Support. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Using System Restore to undo changes, and then click Run the System Restore Wizard.

 

[EvilYoda]

No start menu...

All I see is the background.

Newest revelation is that through program manager and run, I can associate files (like SNES ROMs) with their given program, and the program will open, but it won't open normally. This doesn't work with an *.htm file and IE however.

 

[EvilYoda]

alright, somehow we got it so that most exe's run, other than explorer...

And system restore. I can see that all the files are there, but when I click on it, nothing comes up. I think that's probably all I would need to get thigns working again....but noooooooooo!

Any suggestions, leave a PM or email me. Thanks.

 

[IamDavid]

Hey man, just had this exact problem today. I tried everything but my dumb self disabled system restore after installation. So all I did was put the XP cd in the drive and run setup and chose upgrade. It goes through and re-installs XP without damaging any other programs, well except MS Office for some reason.. Just had to fix Office then everything was back to normal.. Good luck..