[needaclue]

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop with Windows XP Home edition. If you click "My Programs" from Start Menu, access My Comuter or windows explorer from the right-click menu on start it throws a "windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close" error. Error data report contains
appname :explorer.exe
appver : 6.0.2900.2180
ModName : shell32.dll
Modver: 6.0.2900.2951
Technical Inofrmation of error report states:
The following files will be included in the error report:
C:\docume~1\Kavitha\Locals~1\Temp\7f81_accompat.txt.
Usually the file "explorer.exe.mdmp" is also included in the error report.
Event id 1005 in the Administrator log states that the error was because it was unable to access the file "C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll".

The computer is then frozen and can only be shut down from task manager.

I followed the restore instruction given in the event log..and tried "chkdsk /f /r" and no change. I have also tried prefetch (but the computer froze after the prefetch screen opened and I got the explorer error). I have also done "scf \scannow". That ran properly but there's been no change. I have also run Mcafee virus scan and found no infected files. Also tried "regsvr32 /i shell32.dll"..got a successful message but problem continues.

Please help. The event log also recommended restoring the missing file from backup if "chkdsk" didn't work. Can you please tell me how I may restore shell32.dll?

Edited by needaclue, 27 August 2006 - 05:30 PM.

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You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the start button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

XP Repair Install

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[Retired Tech]

You can use this guide to repair XP

Possibly, you will need to press the start button and keep tapping the delete key, (possibly F2) until the PC enters set up. Change the boot order to CD ROM Drive then hard drive, press F10 then press enter, load the XP CD then type Y then press enter, as it reboots, look for press any key to load from CD, press enter

You will need your XP product key to complete this

The XP Product Key is a 25 character alpha numerical code, which does not include the sequence OEM

If you have audio / video files which are subject to DRM you should check with the provider for known issues with performing an XP repair install

XP Repair Install

Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system

The XP repair install will look and run as a normal install, however, you must not see a request to format the drive

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[needaclue]

Hi Keith,

THis is a friend's laptop and I'm really nervous about doing an OS repair. Can I exit from the install at any point? Especially if it does not give me the option to repair but only to do a fresh install??

[needaclue]

Hi Keith,

Problem fixed after Windows XP Repair Install. Thanks a bunch. This is a fantastic site and service!.

[Retired Tech]

Thank You for letting me know how it went

[needaclue]

Hey Keith, Looks like I spoke too soon. The original error has been corrected but now I have a new one. I ran the Windows updates from the Help and Support Centre after the XP repair install like your site suggested. When i rebooted after the updates I get a control panel error. When i access the Control Panel I get a "Windows explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close error". The faulting module now is ntdll.dll. And teh control panel closes down. Fortunately the PC does not freeze and I can access everything else.
I ran regsrv32 /i ntdll.dll and it says that an entry point could not be found in the registry server and hence ntdll.ll could not be loaded into registry.

Please help.

[Retired Tech]

Does regsrv32 ntdll.dll get you anywhere?

[needaclue]

Hi Keith,

I'm awfully confused now. I ran sfc \scannow and there was no change. Meanwhile I tried to fix another application error at startup "hpqthb08.exe Application error- Application failed to initialize" by unchecking the application HP Zone Image Fast Start program in msconfig -start up. Restarted the PC and suddenly control panel was working again. Rebooted oncemore and it wasn't. Changed msconfig to normal startup since it had moved to selective start-up after I unchecked HP Zone Image Fast start and restarted. Now I can access Control Panel but that hpqth08 error is back. Are these errors related?

[needaclue]

Hi Keith,

I've found out that it's some sort of weird connection between msconfig and Control Panel. If I run msconfig (no need to edit or make any changes) and then run control panel..control panel opens without error. What in the world is going on?

Tried running regsvr32 ntdll.dll and message returned "ntdll.dll was loaded but the DLLRegistry Server entry point was not found. This file can not be registered"

[Retired Tech]

If you have winzip you can get the file here

http://www.dll-files...les.shtml?ntdll

Unzip it to a folder you create, then click the file, click copy

Copy to here

C:\Windows\System32

Click yes to overwrite

If you do not have winzip, download extract now from my signature

[needaclue]

cannot paste to system 32. It says file is being used by another person or program. I am running only windows explorer at the moment.

[Retired Tech]

Can you reboot to safe mode and try then

[needaclue]

hey keith, I'm running chkdsk /f /r again so could take a while. Will try the copy in safe mode after this.

[needaclue]

hi keith, tried copying ntdll.dll in safe mode and it still says the file is in use. Problem with control panel continues but there is the workaround to run msconfig first and then control panel. Any othet suggestions?