# Computer warning problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 13, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681 "2012-04-13T17:58:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/1 "2012-04-13T17:58:01Z")
I’ve recently started having a problem with my computer. When I try to open up a file, I often get a message saying that Internet Explorer is experiencing a problem and is shutting down (even though I don’t use IE). Within a minute after closing this message, I get a second message saying that DrWatson Postmortem Debugger has experienced a problem and is shutting down. Within a minute of this second message, my computer locks up. I can move the cursor around on the screen but nothing works. I have to restart my computer with the power button. Ideas? Suggestions? Obviously, I’d prefer to start with the simpler solutions and work my way up to “You need to buy a new computer/switch to Linux/burn your house down and move to another state.” ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/2 "2012-04-13T18:03:23Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I get a second message saying that DrWatson Postmortem Debugger has experienced a problem and is shutting down. Is this a program you use? Joe ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/3 "2012-04-13T18:04:04Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > When I try to open up a file, I often get a message saying that Internet Explorer is experiencing a problem and is shutting down (even though I don’t use IE). Are you sure the error message is specific for Internet Explorer and not Explorer (not the browser)? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/4 "2012-04-13T18:05:50Z")
how old is the computer? when it “locks up” do the taskbar and icons disappear? ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/5 "2012-04-13T18:10:38Z")
[how-to-fix-drwatson-postmortem-debugger.html](http://techdows.com/2009/03/how-to-fix-drwatson-postmortem-debugger.html) Joe ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/6 "2012-04-13T18:16:00Z")
Problem is not clear. After rebooting is the computer functional? Or does it close down if you try to run any program or a specific program? Is the problem due to IE? Try using another browser like Firefox or Chrome to see if the problem is specific to IE. Also wouldn’t hurt to do thorough scans with as many anti-malware, anti-virus programs as you can. Or just try a system restore to an earlier date before your problems started. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/7 "2012-04-13T18:21:51Z")
> [@wheresgeorge04](#): > > Is this a program you use? Doctor Watson is a part of Windows XP, and some versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/8 "2012-04-13T18:52:50Z")
> [@](#): > > Is this a program you use? It’s a built-in program that’s part of my version of Windows. > [@](#): > > Are you sure the error message is specific for Internet Explorer and not Explorer (not the browser)? I think it said Internet Explorer but I’ll make sure the next time I see the message. > [@](#): > > how old is the computer? Fairly old, around nine years. > [@](#): > > when it “locks up” do the taskbar and icons disappear? The taskbar and icons don’t disappear. They’re still there but there’s no response when I put the cursor on them. > [@](#): > > After rebooting is the computer functional? Yes. > [@](#): > > Or does it close down if you try to run any program or a specific program? It’s when I go to a file, like trying to open a picture or text file. > [@](#): > > Is the problem due to IE? Try using another browser like Firefox or Chrome to see if the problem is specific to IE. I use Chrome when I’m online. But this problem isn’t happening when I’m doing stuff online. It’s happening when I’m trying to access stuff that’s on my hard drive. > [@](#): > > Also wouldn’t hurt to do thorough scans with as many anti-malware, anti-virus programs as you can. Yes, that’s one of my next steps. After I check Joe’s link. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/9 "2012-04-13T20:44:08Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I’ve recently started having a problem with my computer. Which version of Windows are you using? And which version of Internet Explorer is installed? (You should have the most up-to-date even if you don’t use it.) Have you checked the Event Logs? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/10 "2012-04-13T21:58:53Z")
Okay, it is Windows Explorer not Internet Explorer in the messages. My system runs on Windows XP. I went to the “how-to-fix-drwatson-postmortem-debugger” site and changed the settings as per their directions. Apparently the only thing this program does is keep records of other problems. I still occasionally get the Explorer message but I don’t get the Dr Watson message anymore. My system doesn’t lock up anymore either. But it does dump me out of whatever file I’m trying to open when it happens. And I do lose my tool bar and icons for a few seconds when it happens. My next step will be to run all my anti-problem programs. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/11 "2012-04-13T22:25:22Z")
In my experience, Explorer crashing and automatically restarting, causing this > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And I do lose my tool bar and icons for a few seconds when it happens. was quite a frequent problem with XP. I don’t think it is strong evidence of malware, although it might be due to use of buggy applications. Anyway, although it is annoying, unlike your DrWatson problem it is not disastrous unless it happens all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/12 "2012-04-13T22:37:40Z")
Does your Windows XP have Service Pack 3 installed? Have all the updates after SP3 been installed? ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/13 "2012-04-14T01:03:41Z")
> [@](#): > > Quote: Or does it close down if you try to run any program or a specific program? > It’s when I go to a file, like trying to open a picture or text file. Maybe the application associations to the file extensions are messed up. Have you tried opening the picture or text by actually choosing an app like Picture Manager or Notepad. Right click and choose a specific app. Does that work? If it does, you need to redo the file/app associations. The other thing you can try is to clean out all your Windows caches and temp files (CCleaner works). I recall that has worked for me when I had a similar problem in XP some time ago. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/14 "2012-04-14T02:26:55Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Does your Windows XP have Service Pack 3 installed? Have all the updates after SP3 been installed? This. I’m a professional computer tech - for problems like you’re describing, updates will fix it about half the time. Microsoft doesn’t make the best software ever, but they’re pretty good about patching problems as they appear. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/15 "2012-04-14T03:08:13Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > In my experience, Explorer crashing and automatically restarting, causing this > > was quite a frequent problem with XP. I don’t think it is strong evidence of malware, although it might be due to use of buggy applications. Anyway, although it is annoying, unlike your DrWatson problem it is not disastrous unless it happens all the time. Yep. Deal with it till it’s too much of a PIA, then move onward, upward. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/17 "2012-04-14T04:56:24Z")
Seriously people? This is very likely either a piece of malware or some program that has tried to extend Explorer causing it to crash. Step 1 would be to try safe mode and see if you still have the problem. If not, then try creating a new user account and see if that one doesn’t have that problem. If not, and you don’t mind moving your settings over, just do that, and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/18 "2012-04-14T11:04:15Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Seriously people? Seriously. There are plenty of known issues with unpatched versions of Windows that can cause the symptoms the OP is experiencing. No malware required. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-warning-problem/618681/19 "2012-04-14T14:40:17Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Seriously people? This is very likely either a piece of malware or some program that has tried to extend Explorer causing it to crash. Yup, seriously. Unless it’s popping up fake virus warnings or hijacking a browser, malware or hacking is way, waaaay down my list of possibilities. It’s a Windows problem until some kind of profit motive turns up or antivirus says otherwise. Trying a new user profile isn’t a bad idea, though. Profiles can get corrupted in all kinds of bizarre ways.