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Explorer.exe fails to initialize in XP

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by rnav

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I have a Windows XP home machine that boots to windows then I get an error message that states Explorer.exe failed to initialize. I'm then left with the background wallpaper with no icons. The shell is not loading. I can hit control-alt
delete and I see all the other processes running but I still cannot get get explorer to start up. The computer will not start in safe mode. I'm looking for a solution without having to do a reinstall.

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by borginva

It will not run in safe mode? Geez, that be tougher than I thought.
What I would do is put XP SP1 on CD, copy it off from a DOS prompt into your START UP folder on the computer.
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
See if the computer will execute that when it boots. If so, you get to update the OS and see if it fixes the problems.
Or, copy over a fresh EXPLORER.EXE from an updated WXP machine.
Hope something helps.
God bless.

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