Explorer has caused an error in <unknown>. Explorer will now close

[Wyclef_jean_007]

I get this error every time I open Windows Internet Explorer. I then hit "close" on the error message, and the browser does NOT close. I continue browsing the internet and i get the same error message about 5 seconds later (the next time something loads). This process is repeated.

I have used my system without this error for over a year now. It started a few days ago when i installed a few programs:
-installed various things off Windows Update
-installed MSN Messenger 6.2
-Installed Ad-Aware 6.? (a spyware removal program)

I have a feeling that Ad-aware messed with the registry. But i found all the files that this program quarantined and I restored them.

I have tried reinstalling IE 6.02, but the error persists.

I can use Netscape or Mozilla to browse the internet with no problems.

I have seen suggestions to fix this problem, but I do NOT have Kazaa, nor do i have new.net on my computer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as this is extremely frustrating!

Thanks

[Chanter]

First, there is no MSN Messenger 6.2. The latest revision level is 6.1.
Second, reinstalling IE 6 because you get such a message is pointless, because "Explorer" is not Internet Explorer. Does the error message say what you indicate it says? If it were an error message generated by IE, the message would say "IExplore has caused an error..." not "Explorer...."

[Wyclef_jean_007]

sorry, my mistake. it was version 6.1

and yes, it is an explorer error(not an internet explorer error), that ONLY occurs when using IE.

[Chanter]

Do you use HP Jet Admin, by any chance?

[Chanter]

Explorer errors need to be diagnosed the old fashioned way. Almost invariably it's a program running in the background you may not even be aware of. If you can run a Hijack This log and post it here we can have a look at it. Otherwise Start > Run and type in msconfig, hit the Startup tab and start unchecking stuff for diagnostic purposes. Remember, Win ME will run with only Explorer, so you can uncheck everything. See if you are clear of the error message. If you are, it's one of those programs. Keep adding back a check until you get the error, and that's the program causing it. It's actually kind of fun. Make yourself some tea. Take your time.

[Wyclef_jean_007]

ok i will give that a try.

But i did turn on my computer before this session and got another error during startup. It said "Explorer caused an error in GDI.exe. Explorer will now close".

Hopefully running msconfig works, but i figured i would let you know i got this message too.

Thanks for your help so far!

[Wyclef_jean_007]

I used msconfig and i think i solved the problem. When i disabled a program called "gstartup.exe" the error messages when using IE stopped!

Thanks a lot!!!

[Chanter]

gstartup.exe.....hmmmm. That's an advertising program similar to a worm in its behavior. Something (and I have no idea what) plants it in your Windows System folder and has it start every time you boot your computer. I assure you that Adaware did not put it there. Hopefully it will stay away, but it's worth checking your startups occasionally to see what's there. Keep track. Be vigilant. And get rid of every auto startup which is unnecessary to the operation of your system.. Programs you need you can start from the Start Menu as you require them.
Hey, but you did a great job. It may sound corny, but I'm proud of you.

[Chanter]

Footnote:
Gstartup.exe is, indeed, an ad worm. No one seems to know who the developer is, but this program is NOT a part of the windows operating system and should be removed. You prevented it from starting up automatically, but it's still there sitting on your machine. Start > Find > Files and Folders, and type in gstartup.exe and see where it is. Then DELETE it. I'll bet it's in your Windows System Folder, planted there by some program or other you downloaded.

[ladeyluv]

try this:

right click on Internet Explorer icon on the desktop, click on properties, then click on the Advanced Tab, uncheck "enable third party browser extensions". close all the windows, restart the computer then try internet explorer again. leased:

[Prime_time]

Thanks Ladeyluv.

You will never know how greatfull I am rite now.

[cry_s_tal]

Originally Posted by Chanter

Explorer errors need to be diagnosed the old fashioned way. Almost invariably it's a program running in the background you may not even be aware of. If you can run a Hijack This log and post it here we can have a look at it. Otherwise Start > Run and type in msconfig, hit the Startup tab and start unchecking stuff for diagnostic purposes. Remember, Win ME will run with only Explorer, so you can uncheck everything. See if you are clear of the error message. If you are, it's one of those programs. Keep adding back a check until you get the error, and that's the program causing it. It's actually kind of fun. Make yourself some tea. Take your time.

Hi there, I was reading the advice that you had given wyclef 007 concerning his problems with the explorer error and I was wondering if you could help me out. Whenever I try to open up windows explorer or my Computer a message pops up that reads "explorer has caused an error in <unknown>. Explorer will now close."
I used msconfig to stop all the background programs from running and the same message continues to pop up. I have windows ME and an HP computer, but I don't know if that means I have HP Jet admin installed. I have had the system for a while now without any troubles.
I appreciate any help you could give me

[Hoogstraten]

Am also getting a similar problem with Explorer. Have been through the advice found below & nothing has fixed this.

Even running in 'selective startup' with only Explorer running, I click on IE & get error "Explorer has caused an error in <unknown>. Explorer will now close". Sometime the <unknown> is replaced by KERNEL32.DLL.

After playing about I've now lost my IE icon & cannot retrieve this (have replaced IE icon but it doesn't have the 'advanced' tab etc).

This all came about because I found the UKVIDEO2 dialer on my PC - it had changed my default homepage to be "??o????t??o?t".

Since investigating I've also removed the following:
LOADQM (left over from Kazaa)
UPDMGR
Task Monitor (taskmon.exe)

Any ideas would be much appreciated

[Thephoenix3000]

Gstartup is a Spyware program created by a company named Gator. It is annoying but causes no inital damage. It can be easily remove with just about any ad/spyware remover aka ad-adware or spybot.

[rghosh]

Th problem got solved and thanks you guys. HijackThis really works... thanks again.