Explorer not responding...

[angus_r]

Hi everyone - hope this finds you in good health!

Just so you know, I'm running Windows ME on a 1300Mhz Athlon-powered PC.

I was online last night, looking at a FANTASTIC flash model of the London Underground, when I noticed that, from another site, there were a number of pop-up windows, advertising IQ tests, etc. I tried to close them, then found nothing was responding. Fair enough. I ctrl-alt-deleted, then asked my computer to quit explorer. It did this, but at that point everything disappeared, other than my background image and, oddly Winamp (which actually kept playing!). I quit Winamp, then ctrl-alt-deleted again and asked my computer to restart, which it did. However, once most of the start-up procedure had completed (all the memory checks,etc), NOTHING happened! That is, I had my background image, a moving mouse pointer and nothing else. I hit ctrl-alt-delete and the task manager indicated that explorer wasn't responding - it was written "explorer (not responding)", if that's of any interest!

I've tried restarting a few times and thought it might be worthwhile trying starting up in safe mode. I haven't done so, yet, as I haven't a flippin' clue what to do once/if I get there!

Any help would be HUGELY appreciated :o)

All the best,

Angus

[blakey81]

You have nothing else? as in no startbar at the bottom and no icons?

[Vittra]

I ctrl-alt-deleted, then asked my computer to quit explorer. It did this, but at that point everything disappeared, other than my background image and, oddly Winamp (which actually kept playing!). Explorer.exe is a vital part of Windows and when closed, causes the taskbar, display icons and the functionality of right-click to cease working. Next time when you wish to End Task Internet Explorer, search for an entry named 'IExplorer.exe'; this is the .exe file for Internet Explorer.

I hit ctrl-alt-delete and the task manager indicated that explorer wasn't responding - it was written "explorer (not responding)", if that's of any interest! Firstly you can attempt to end task Explorer.exe and wait for a few moments. Sometimes when I had explorer.exe problems in Windows 98SE and Windows ME, I would end task and wait a moment and it would start itself again and the computer would continue to function properly again. During the time I waited, I end tasked everything I didn't need running that was open such as MSN Messenger, Internet Explorer, Winamp and so forth.

Otherwise, ff you can, via Task Manager try and start the process manually. There may be a menu at the top called 'File' and the option 'new task...' in the drop down menu. Select this and type explorer.exe and see if your computer returns the taskbar and desktop icons. If there isn't an option to do this, then forgive me, it is near midnight and I'm rather tired so I can't remember the Windows ME Task Manager options too well right now.

[angus_r]

Hi again!

firstly, thanks for responding - greatly appreciated :o)

let's see...

yes - to my first poster - there's nothing there, no taskbar, no icons: only my background image and my mouse pointer. Thankyou for the links - I'll have a good explore of them in a mo...

Ah - to the second poster - I was unclear in my description of my actions - I *did* end task on Internet Explorer, not Explorer itself. I'll print and try out your strategies tonight!

Thanks so much - if anything else occurs, please don't hesitate to get in touch!

Thanks again,

A

[angus_r]

Hi!

Just to update... I've tried ending task on Explorer and waiting, to no avail. The only other pieces of software running are Cpd, Devldr16 and Ahqtb, which are associated with my soundcard and virus checker, I believe.

As far as the ME task manager goes, there appear to be no options afforded me other than End Task, Shutdown and Cancel.

I tried loading up in Safe Mode, but couldn't get in this way, either.

So, it seems I'm in something of a pickle...

If anyone has any ideas on what I might do about this problem, I should be most grateful!

All the best!

A