Explorer.exe generated error - only in one profile directory

dcmacg811 · 05-31-2007, 01:23 PM

Have one profile where explorer.exe can not access sub-directory. Get the Explorer.exe has generated and error and will restart message. App event says Shell error has occurred and explorer.exe will restart. DrWatson log is generated.

Have isolated problem to the Local Settings directory on the profile. Any attempt at accessing that causes the Explorer.exe error. Either through the explorer file panel or by searching the drive or running McAfee scan -- Once an attemp is made to access that directory, the error occurs.

Directory is: c:\Documents and Settings\'profilename'\Local Settings

In the explorer panel, you can not expand the profile on the left side pane without the error. However, if you have the "Docs and Settings" expanded on the right side pane, and expand the profile, all the directories are listed. You can access all sub-directories but two: Local Settings and a Share. I think the download was going into the Share folder.

Problem is I want to fix this without destroying the data in the local settings for that profile. There are identities file info that I want (for Outlook Express).

I think this problem started during a download that crashed. Since this problem started Windows Update will not work either.

Running W2k with SP4, IE6.0, have McAfee Enterprise 8.5i.

loesch8102 · 06-09-2007, 07:00 PM

Try some third party explorer tool like Total Commander. Maybe that'll let you in to the directory with out Windows freaking out.

dcmacg811 · 06-10-2007, 12:54 PM

I will look into the "Tool Commander". I have also been trying some NTFS Data Recovery tools. They seem to be able to "see" the files and folders, but I have to purchase the SW to recover the data. I've been looking at several trials to determine which makes sense to purchase. They're about $100, so not too cheap as far as SW goes. Any suggestions welcomed.

I look on line for the Tool Commander.....

ecrocombe · 06-17-2007, 01:52 AM

Hello dcmacg811

My next step would be to image the workstation to prevent data loss.
I would then log in as the local administrator and take ownership of the profile and see if that enables you to veiw the files and possibly backup.
also try to temporarily create another profile and copy the user profile to the temp one, if you are successfull erase the user (in docs and settings folder) then create again and copy from the temp, back again.

Good Luck

Ed

05-31-2007, 01:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
dcmacg811 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2 OS: W2k	Explorer.exe generated error - only in one profile directory Have one profile where explorer.exe can not access sub-directory. Get the Explorer.exe has generated and error and will restart message. App event says Shell error has occurred and explorer.exe will restart. DrWatson log is generated. Have isolated problem to the Local Settings directory on the profile. Any attempt at accessing that causes the Explorer.exe error. Either through the explorer file panel or by searching the drive or running McAfee scan -- Once an attemp is made to access that directory, the error occurs. Directory is: c:\Documents and Settings\'profilename'\Local Settings In the explorer panel, you can not expand the profile on the left side pane without the error. However, if you have the "Docs and Settings" expanded on the right side pane, and expand the profile, all the directories are listed. You can access all sub-directories but two: Local Settings and a Share. I think the download was going into the Share folder. Problem is I want to fix this without destroying the data in the local settings for that profile. There are identities file info that I want (for Outlook Express). I think this problem started during a download that crashed. Since this problem started Windows Update will not work either. Running W2k with SP4, IE6.0, have McAfee Enterprise 8.5i.

06-09-2007, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
loesch8102 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central PA Posts: 27 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 / Win Server 2003 Ent SP2	Re: Explorer.exe generated error - only in one profile directory Try some third party explorer tool like Total Commander. Maybe that'll let you in to the directory with out Windows freaking out.

06-10-2007, 12:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
dcmacg811 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2 OS: W2k	Re: Explorer.exe generated error - only in one profile directory I will look into the "Tool Commander". I have also been trying some NTFS Data Recovery tools. They seem to be able to "see" the files and folders, but I have to purchase the SW to recover the data. I've been looking at several trials to determine which makes sense to purchase. They're about $100, so not too cheap as far as SW goes. Any suggestions welcomed. I look on line for the Tool Commander.....

06-17-2007, 01:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
ecrocombe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 109 OS: SBS2k3R2, WIN2k3, XP, 2000, NT My System	Re: Explorer.exe generated error - only in one profile directory Hello dcmacg811 My next step would be to image the workstation to prevent data loss. I would then log in as the local administrator and take ownership of the profile and see if that enables you to veiw the files and possibly backup. also try to temporarily create another profile and copy the user profile to the temp one, if you are successfull erase the user (in docs and settings folder) then create again and copy from the temp, back again. Good Luck Ed