PC mis-behaving

[tallin]

Threatfire, one of my programs asked me to reboot due to it stopping a threat which would remain until I restarted.

I restarted and on loading I got the following message:

This application has failed because SHDOCVW.dll was not found - Re-installing the application may fix it. Unable to locate component Explorer.EXE

The PC loads to the desktop without icons, in my case a green wallpaper, but nothing else. I can get to Task Manager, and Msconfig showing 34 processes running on Selective Startup.

Some guidance would be most appreciated.

kind regards,

Windows XP/SP3
IE 6.0

[Canuck]

Hi tallin,

With .dll problems (usually damaged file) I recommend downloading the .dll and putting it in the system32 file .. after renaming the old file *.dll.old). However I see that this one should be approached a little differently, see How to fix shdocvw.dll error | BabyfacE and check out the instructions there.

If you can access system32 file, you could try my method, here is the .dll file to download DLL-files.com - shdocvw.dll, free download . Good luck

[tallin]

Thanks Canuck for your reply.

The first link in your post is dead for me on this Laptop.

I can't get to the PC desktop to download any files either. I can access System 32 on the PC but how would I download from there.

This is way out of my comfort zone I think!

best regards,

[Canuck]

Here are the instructions at the link I gave

shdocvw.dll is a library used by Windows applications that is used to display folders and windows on your system. shdocvw.dll is required and windows will not start properly without it.
It is located inside the system32 folder (C:\Windows\System32) and some malware disguise as shdocvw.dll.
Fix shdocvw.dll error:
shdocvw.dll error occurs while starting your windows that stops you from getting any further into your desktop. Sometimes you can’t even go into your desktop in Safe Mode that makes it hard to replace the missing or corrupted shdocvw.dll, so here’s an easy steps to fix this.
NOTE: I assume that you have Firefox installed or any as long as it is not IE.

1. After getting the shdocvw.dll error, press Ctrl+Alt+Del to open the Task Manager.
2. In Task Manager, click New Task under the Applications tab.
3. Click Browse, then C:\Program files\Mozilla Firefox then double click firefox
4. Once FireFox opens, download shdocvw.dll here or you maygoogle it if you want.
5. Save it somewhere like in your C:\ for easy access
6. Repeat steps 1 and 2 but this time, type in the box, cmd to open the command prompt
7. type copy C:\shdocvw.dll C:\windows\system32
8. Restart your system, everythings back to normal.

Hope this works for you.

[tallin]

Thanks again, but it does not work for me. Once I get to #3 the only items in the Mozilla Firefox folder are

• Extensions
• Plugins

As soon as try to open either the same message comes up as I quoted in my first post. Firefox will not load at all for me to proceed. I don't think I had Firefox installed, just the left over folder, but is is now installed on this LAPTOP in case I got into the same trouble here one day.

I guess if there is no other way, I will ring my trusty techie to come out in the morning, as it is Sunday here.

Thanks again for your help, my own fault for not having a second browser installed.

kind regards,

[Canuck]

Sorry I couldn't help. I suppose System Restore isn't available?

[tallin]

No, unfortunately, first thing I tried. Perhaps read my last post again as I edited it most likely while you were writing your last post.

Best regards,

[zep516]

Will the computer boot to safe mode?

[tallin]

Thanks Zep for your reply.

Only get into Safe Mode via BOOT.INI but told that is too dangerous!

I have todays full image backup and today's Erunt registry backup but neither doing me any good at the moment. If I had a second browser I would have no more problems.

Any other suggestions rather than a techie in the morning?

kind regards,

Update: Yes, I got into Safe Mode by pressing F8, no problems, but not to the desktop when booting into Selective Startup normally day by day. sigh

[Digerati]

Hey folks - just thought I would add my 1 cent worth - I don't have enough for 2 cents.

I note here using IEFix Utility seemed to help.

This was also an interesting read - Threatfire Quarintines Virus then Explorer wont run (scroll way down for solution).

Only get into Safe Mode via BOOT.INI but told that is too dangerous!

Too dangerous? Not sure why - if careful. I have edited my boot.ini to give me Safe Mode as an option every time I boot - no more frantic hunting for just the right moment to press F8.