[SOLVED] Can't load Win98, Eplorer.exe invalid page fault

Can't get Win98se to load. Keep getting illegal operation notification stating "EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module EXPLORER.EXE at 0167:00401f31".
Can't get in in Safe Mode.
Have tried restoring registry in Safe Mode Command Prompt but no joy.
Could this be a Virus?
PIII, 450MHz
I'm clueless. Any help appreciated. (accessing net via my trusty iMac)
TIA, Terry.

 

Can you give us some background on the PC. Was any software or hardware installed, updated or removed prior to this occuring? Any history of any other problems or errors recently with the PC?

 

Hi Terry...a couple of things to try:

Hold down the Ctrl key as Windows boots until you are presented with a boot menu (or tap F8 repeatedly after you hear the POST beep). Choose "Command Prompt Only" and press Enter. At the C:\ prompt type

dir /s explorer.exe and press Enter.

If explorer.exe is found in C:\ (only there, not in C:\Windows), rename it thus:

ren explorer.exe explorer.old and press Enter.

Reboot. If this works, you have either had a Win95 version of explorer.exe in C:\ (unlikely unless deliberate) or a virus.

If it doesn't work, try the steps outlined in this MSKB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q293174

Let us know how it goes.

 

Brian, No new software or hardware. Kids do use internet however.

HKEd: Will try your suggestions and post back. Thanks,Terry.

 

That link provided by HKEd is a good bet to fix your problem. Most fatal Explorer errors where Windows won't even start are caused by Internet Explorer becoming corrupted in some shape or fashion.

 

Followed the fixes in the MSKB article to the letter but no joy. Strange thing though that after I had tried the fixes, the numeric code associated with the message changed. The wording remained the same (EXPLORER. EXE invalid etc.) but the numerics definately changed. ???
The article stated that if both fixes failed that Windows may have to be completely reinstalled. Will that mean I lose all my data? And what of the offending explorer.exe file? Is that removed? Will I need to reinstall IE again? do I lose all my favourites? Thanks again, Terry.

 

Try replacing shdocvw.dll as per the following:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q175930

 

Here's yet another one:

EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module EXPLORER.EXE

Good luck,

 

No joy with any of the fixes so had a crack at reinstalling Win98se. Thankfully I'm back in business and I don't appear to have lost anything important. Was a great impetus to do some serious backing up and getting some screenshots of ISP settings etc.- perhaps worth the scare. Anyway, thanks to all who tried to help. Terry.

 

hi
i had the same problem as yours, getting error message that about explorer.exe and will be shut down.
canm u please tell me how to reinstall windows 98, which will be a great help as i am stuck up now
thanks
kumaresh