winxp pro: explorer.exe crashes on startup, and whenever used. safemode=fine ??

[MATTRESS]

A laptop computer was brought to me with the following problem:

When the computer boots up, explorer crashes

when you try to go under "my computer", or any other instance of explorer, it crashes

but, when you boot into safe mode, explorer runs fine and never crashes.


I've ran a virus scan, I've scanned for spyware/adware ... but still having the same problem.

I've also booted off the XP Pro CD & did a "recover" where it basically reinstalls windows xp, and that didn't fix the problem.

Is there something I'm missing? I could do a full system restore (reformat/reinstall os) but that's my last option. I don't want to lose everything

Thanks!

 

[That_Sound_Guy]

run hijackthis and remove everything embedded in the explorer.exe file and anything questionable for that matter. There is something starting within explorer.exe that should not belong (obviously). Ive seen many spyware objects do this, even ones taht spybot and adaware did not find.

 

[MATTRESS]

thanks for the idea, i've never heard of or ran hijackthis ... it sounds promissing!!

 

[That_Sound_Guy]

oh yeah, Hijackthis! is by far one of the top five tools when troubleshooting a slow pc. Find stuff no spyware scanner will ever find. Good luck!