Windows explorer no responding

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Please excuse any computer illiteracy and I am new to the forums but having a problem:
Running a few yr old emachine with vista home premium edition.
When any one logs on (shared puter with 3 accounts) the windows update icon on the lower right of the screen states there are updates avail.
Once it is clicked however, a pop up appears next to the explorer window stating that windows explorer is not responding; restarting windows update, then it closes and removes the screen display for a few seconds, no icons no startup tray etc.
I cannot even find out what vista version (32 or 64 bit) i am running as I cannot open ANY folders on the computer!
ANY assistance would be VERY gratefully appreciated

richc46 · May 16, 2011

Welcome
May be a virus or malware. Run a full and updated anti virus scan
Download and make a full and updated scan with malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Thank you Richard, I ran the quick scan an hour ago and came up with a lot of stuff from MyWebSearch and FunWebProducts. It says quarantined and deleted. Restarted the puter and nothing has changed. Run the complete scan and go from there?

richc46 · May 16, 2011

Yes, please, full scan with Anti Virus and Malwarebytes.

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Well, after 3 separate attempts at a Full Scan using Malwarebytes all that I have apparently accomplished is spending money! The full scan runs for approx 50 minutes, over 100K objects scanned and then, the program unexpectantly stops and closes.
Anyone have any other ideas before I simply wipe out my hard drive with all of my files on it that I will lose?

richc46 · May 16, 2011

One sign of a virus is that the Anti Virus does not work.
Here are your options tell me what you want
You can save your stuff using this:
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

or

You could let me summon for help (our malware expert, who may be able to help)

YOu should have used the free version of malwarebytes.

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Richard, as I stated in my initial post, I admit that i am a bit puter illiterate so please be patient with me on this! I ran the free version but, unless i just didn't hit the right button or read it all correctly, pretty much had to buy the product in order to complete all actions of the scan results.
Previously attempted to run the program on my wife's profile but had the same result.
I was able to run a flash scan, which found a trojan that was quarantined and removed.
Currently attempting the full scan again to see if that may have been the problem. It has ran for just over an hour now and currently shows that only 2 files are infected out of around 146K.
If this one goofs me up again, I may take you up on the offer Richard of asking if you could possibly summon help as i am surely lost!

richc46 · May 16, 2011

First,
I and all the members are here for only one purpose, to help other members. Dont be concerned about your computer skills; they do not matter here. Just explain your problem in a clean fashion and we will try to answer in a manner suitable for your computer expertise. Just let me know what you need or want.
The free version of Malwarebytes should not cost anything; scanning is always free. Real time protection has a charge.

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Well, it stopped again. I have now noticed that it stops on a file from c:\programdata\norton. Some kind of a "qbackup" file. Don't get it, going out to dinner.
ANY ideas would be beneficial!!
Hmmm, well i guess I have the real time protection then :-)
Unfortunately it does not help my with an existing problem.
Curious if somehow norton was compromised and should be uninstalled. However, as I cannot even get into control panel i don't see that as an option!?

richc46 · May 16, 2011

Norton can be your Anti Virus and it is blocking Malwarebytes. If you have Norton (symantec) disable it for the scan. Be sure you are not online to avoid infections.

richc46 · May 16, 2011

I have just researched it, Malwarebytes is getting hung up on your back up software, which is Norton.

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Ok Thanks, disabled norton and will go off-line and try the malwarebytes again. Thanks again Richard - hopefully will have some GOOD news soon :-)

richc46 · May 16, 2011

I hope that it works out, too.

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

Durn it durn it durn it! Locked up on the same file. Too frustrating of a day and it's getting late. Gonna turn off the puter and try... what ever tomorrow!
Richard thank you very much for your assistance in this matter. Guess I picked the right couple of days off of work this week!!
Have a good night!!

richc46 · May 16, 2011

Try in safe mode.
Im pretty sure that will work
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html

jarretdefeater · May 16, 2011

F8 during a re-boot right?

richc46 · May 16, 2011

Yes, and then if it works, try regular mode again.

jarretdefeater · May 17, 2011

Safe mode worked fine but after a normal re boot it failed! Am i looking at a system restore?

richc46 · May 17, 2011

I would not restort to SR yet. I would try to find the cause. If it worked in Safe Mode, try a clean boot. If it works follow instructions to find the cause
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

jarretdefeater · May 17, 2011

Alrighty! I should still have norton disabled and not be on internet during all of this right?

Windows explorer no responding

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