Windows Explorer Crash Loop

Status
Not open for further replies.

Five Seven Five

Honorable
Jan 13, 2014
41
0
10,560
I have encountered a problem on a workstation running Windows 7 Professional 32 bit, and would appreciate some advice. This PC is for work. For my main user account, as soon as I log in to the freshly booted machine I enter an infinite loop in which I am alternated between
the following dialog boxes:

Windows explorer has stopped working. Windows Explorer is checking for a solution to the
problem...

Windows Explorer is restarting.

I can occasionally launch an application, but even when I do it tends to crash a few moments
later after the Windows Explorer crash goes through another iteration. If I boot into safe mode, this issue does not occur at all. While logged in to a user that has never used this PC before, the infinite loop does not occur; however, several items will trigger a one-time instance of the error message, either closing what was just opened or failing to open it at all. For example, as the other user

-Attempting to run ccleaner fails and triggers the error.
-Malwarebytes Anti malware runs fine.
-Attempting to open Word, Excel, etc, triggers the error.
-Attempting to launch Internet Explorer triggers the error.
-Some desktop shortcuts to specific internet addresses work fine; others trigger the error.
-Attempting to launch a command prompt or access most things in control panel trigger the error.
-Folder navigation in Windows Explorer works for the most part, but will occasionally trigger
the error - particular folders or files seems to either always work or always fail.

Right clicking command prompt, and some other applications that normally trigger the error, and selecting "Run as Administrator" allows them to successfully launch.

I switched a large number of startup processes in services.msc from automatic to manual, but this did not have any positive effect.

I tried running sfc /scannow but this did not find any problems. I had a chkdsk /r /f run after reboot but this did not help the problem either.

I attempted a system restore to the day before this occurred, but it failed, apparently because some files related to the Zenworks application which are protected and could not be altered.

I've found solutions to many problems by lurking here, but in this case help for my particular problem seems to be required, and I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
 
Solution
You’re experiencing this problem because there are some corrupt system files in your C:\ drive. Check for those corrupt files and repair them. Using System File Checker restore their original versions.

Uninstall Malfunctioning/ Problematic/ Incompatible Device Drivers:
1. Click the Start button, type “Device Manager” and press ENTER.
2. Click View | Show hidden devices.
3. You’ll see malfunctioning devices will have a yellow color exclamation mark in beginning.
4. Right click a malfunctioning device, select “Uninstall” option.

Update Device Drivers:
1. Click the Start button, type “Device Manager” in the Search Box.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Expand top category from left panel.
4. Right click a device driver, select “Update driver software”...

Five Seven Five

Honorable
Jan 13, 2014
41
0
10,560
I failed to mention in my previous post that the PC in question is an HP pro 3405 Series MT. I have also attempted to update the graphics drivers (a difficult task given the crashes in a normal state and the limited nature of running in safe mode) but was not able to see any improvement. I continue to be open to suggestions for fixing this problem.
 

HarrisonAvery

Reputable
Apr 17, 2014
1
0
4,520
You’re experiencing this problem because there are some corrupt system files in your C:\ drive. Check for those corrupt files and repair them. Using System File Checker restore their original versions.

Uninstall Malfunctioning/ Problematic/ Incompatible Device Drivers:
1. Click the Start button, type “Device Manager” and press ENTER.
2. Click View | Show hidden devices.
3. You’ll see malfunctioning devices will have a yellow color exclamation mark in beginning.
4. Right click a malfunctioning device, select “Uninstall” option.

Update Device Drivers:
1. Click the Start button, type “Device Manager” in the Search Box.
2. Press ENTER.
3. Expand top category from left panel.
4. Right click a device driver, select “Update driver software” option.
 
Solution
Status
Not open for further replies.