Error Loading Explorer.exe

IndigoFae · 11-18-2003, 01:45 PM

I have a Dell Dimension 4100 with Window ME. I'm sure no one is surprised to hear I've been having problems. First system restore wouldn't work and then I wasn't able to make a back up disk. Now when I turn on the computer the Windows ME screen comes up fine, then an error window pops up that reads, "Error loading explorer.exe. You must reinstall Windows" with an 'ok' box. The only option is to click 'ok'. Then the computer shuts off.

I'm at a loss. Besides taking it to the roof and throwing it off, what can I do?

**jgvernonco** · 11-18-2003, 09:40 PM

I am the "caddy" for all the smart folks that hang out here.

Step1 is trying to boot up in safe mode. Whether or not that works will tell the smart folks what to look for next.

IndigoFae · 11-20-2003, 11:39 PM

I'm on my computer again. Booting up in safe mode worked, sort of. The first problem is resolved, but I'm still unable to use restore points or create back ups. Is it true that Windows ME is missing that feature and I'll need to download it from somewhere else. Also, could you tell me if there are things I can do to fix the most common ME problems? Despite all the recent problems I like ME. I know I'll eventually upgrade, but I'd kind of like to tweak what I have for now.

Thanks for the initial advice. I thought it might be like that but I'm a little nervous about doing permanent damage. I was very proud of myself for attempting and succeeding. It's much better than paying $75 bucks an hour to have it worked on. Maybe I'll treat myself to some upgrade.

**jgvernonco** · 11-21-2003, 01:01 PM

Hi, again,

I had ME for awhile, and I had many problems. I wiped the disk and installed W2K, and have been pretty happy since. This is not a recommendation for you to use W2K, but I think it is inevitable that you will need to give up ME.

Shop around on the Internet, using ZDNet and other large search sites; many times, OS prices are amazingly low. Heh, don't forget Best Buy, et al, as they sometimes have some good specials, too.

I was Googling about looking for some information for you, and there wasn't all that much.

The link below is to a good site that can answer many of your questions.

http://windows.about.com/cs/win9xme/

Let us know how you are coming along.

Ctrl+Alt+Del · 11-25-2003, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by IndigoFae
I have a Dell Dimension 4100 with Window ME. I'm sure no one is surprised to hear I've been having problems. First system restore wouldn't work and then I wasn't able to make a back up disk. Now when I turn on the computer the Windows ME screen comes up fine, then an error window pops up that reads, "Error loading explorer.exe. You must reinstall Windows" with an 'ok' box. The only option is to click 'ok'. Then the computer shuts off.

I'm at a loss. Besides taking it to the roof and throwing it off, what can I do?

Hi!
I had the same issue. Could not roll back. Don't know 4-sure what event triggered the problem, think is was a MS patch related to "Frames,etc" from MS Win update site. Performed an "overlay re-install" of Me upgrade version. Went well, fixed the problem, and stable now as Me gets...
Hope this helps. Now, or next time !?!

Doctor Beg · 12-01-2003, 09:47 PM

jgvernonco gets alot of these problems fixed, so i usually just read his work, but wouldnt microsoft's knowledge base help out in this case?

i mean... they only list 2 possibilites, 1 is corrupted explorer.exe file, and another looks like a run/load=explorer.exe anotherprogram.exe in win.ini type situation...

in both cases, the steps to fix look fairly easy, case 1 is to extract a new explorer, case 2 is to make sure load= and run= in win.ini have nothing after them (would also make sure shell= only has explorer.exe, too)

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winme

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winme

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winme

think you can also do extractions with msconfig also, but its been awhile since ive seen WinME

11-18-2003, 01:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
IndigoFae Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 6 OS: Windows ME	Error Loading Explorer.exe I have a Dell Dimension 4100 with Window ME. I'm sure no one is surprised to hear I've been having problems. First system restore wouldn't work and then I wasn't able to make a back up disk. Now when I turn on the computer the Windows ME screen comes up fine, then an error window pops up that reads, "Error loading explorer.exe. You must reinstall Windows" with an 'ok' box. The only option is to click 'ok'. Then the computer shuts off. I'm at a loss. Besides taking it to the roof and throwing it off, what can I do?

11-18-2003, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
jgvernonco Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 7,958 OS: Vista Home Premium, SP 27	I am the "caddy" for all the smart folks that hang out here. Step1 is trying to boot up in safe mode. Whether or not that works will tell the smart folks what to look for next. __________________ Donations keep TSF moving forward. Please help. http://www.myspace.com/speedbumpthecelt

11-21-2003, 01:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
jgvernonco Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 7,958 OS: Vista Home Premium, SP 27	Hi, again, I had ME for awhile, and I had many problems. I wiped the disk and installed W2K, and have been pretty happy since. This is not a recommendation for you to use W2K, but I think it is inevitable that you will need to give up ME. Shop around on the Internet, using ZDNet and other large search sites; many times, OS prices are amazingly low. Heh, don't forget Best Buy, et al, as they sometimes have some good specials, too. I was Googling about looking for some information for you, and there wasn't all that much. The link below is to a good site that can answer many of your questions. http://windows.about.com/cs/win9xme/ Let us know how you are coming along. __________________ Donations keep TSF moving forward. Please help. http://www.myspace.com/speedbumpthecelt

11-20-2003, 11:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
IndigoFae Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 6 OS: Windows ME	I'm on my computer again. Booting up in safe mode worked, sort of. The first problem is resolved, but I'm still unable to use restore points or create back ups. Is it true that Windows ME is missing that feature and I'll need to download it from somewhere else. Also, could you tell me if there are things I can do to fix the most common ME problems? Despite all the recent problems I like ME. I know I'll eventually upgrade, but I'd kind of like to tweak what I have for now. Thanks for the initial advice. I thought it might be like that but I'm a little nervous about doing permanent damage. I was very proud of myself for attempting and succeeding. It's much better than paying $75 bucks an hour to have it worked on. Maybe I'll treat myself to some upgrade.

12-01-2003, 09:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Doctor Beg Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 77 OS: all	jgvernonco gets alot of these problems fixed, so i usually just read his work, but wouldnt microsoft's knowledge base help out in this case? i mean... they only list 2 possibilites, 1 is corrupted explorer.exe file, and another looks like a run/load=explorer.exe anotherprogram.exe in win.ini type situation... in both cases, the steps to fix look fairly easy, case 1 is to extract a new explorer, case 2 is to make sure load= and run= in win.ini have nothing after them (would also make sure shell= only has explorer.exe, too) http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winme http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winme http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winme think you can also do extractions with msconfig also, but its been awhile since ive seen WinME