# There’s a problem with my computer- SHELL32.DLL **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 21, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774 "2003-08-21T21:25:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/1 "2003-08-21T21:25:40Z")
I have a problem with my computer. When I start it up a small window comes up saying that there’s an error with SHELL32.DLL and that explorer has to be shutdown. When I close the window (ether by hitting the close button or the small x in the upper right hand corner) the computer goes through a quick reboot, but the window just pops right back up again saying the same thing. I tried to restart my computer by pressing alt. Ctrl. Delete, but NOTHING happened. I tried to shutdown my computer using the start button in the lower left corner, but my computer froze. I don’t know what to do. I have a dell pentium3 running windows ME. Please help. ---
**Author:** ![DarrenS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@DarrenS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarrenS)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/2 "2003-08-21T21:29:15Z")
Try rebooting in Safe Mode (F8 during bootup) and do a full virus scan, with the latest signatures installed for your virus software. ---
**Author:** ![Dogface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@Dogface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogface)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2003, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/3 "2003-08-21T21:31:03Z")
You fed yourself a worm, son. Symantec or a similar site should have instructions for fixing it. Warning, poor hapless cow-orker who got a similar error message could not use regedit for fix. Moral of the story: Do NOT open unsolicited attachments. Indeed, do NOT “click on” attachments AT ALL, under ANY circumstancess. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/4 "2003-08-22T00:05:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > **You fed yourself a worm, son. Symantec or a similar site should have instructions for fixing it.** i looked through the Symantec site and found nothing simular to my problem. i don’t think it’s a worm because i ran norton and came up clean. i have no problem running other progrems (i can even connect to the internet), it’s just that the error window is always on top. any other ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Howdy\_Duty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f19dbf/32.png) [@Howdy\_Duty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howdy_Duty)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/5 "2003-08-22T00:13:59Z")
Well this isn’t going to sound very technical or probably practical but it worked. Last night I put a new hard drive in my old computer. After re-installing my operating system that was one (of many) errors that kept appearing for me. I just kept reloading Windows and after about three tries it went away and the system was fine. Have you formatted your hard drive lately or anything? Just thought I would share my experience until someone who knows better comes along. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2003, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/6 "2003-08-22T15:06:43Z")
When you reinstall you have to turn off any bios boot sector protections (virus, etc) otherwise it can’t write a new boot sector & you get weird things happening. At least that’s my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/7 "2003-08-23T21:03:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*When you reinstall you have to turn off any bios boot sector protections (virus, etc) otherwise it can’t write a new boot sector & you get weird things happening. At least that’s my experience. \*\* Do I have to reinstall? I’ve never reinstalled anything and I see myself having to call customer support. Do you know what caused this and why (so I can avoid this in the future). ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/8 "2003-08-24T15:59:36Z")
Aceospades, Me has a program called System File Checker. It makes sure all your system files are okay. You can run it in the run box: SFC Assuming you can get the Run box. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/9 "2003-08-24T16:51:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > \*\*Aceospades, Me has a program called System File Checker. It makes sure all your system files are okay. You can run it in the run box: SFC > > Assuming you can get the Run box. \*\* i typed SFC in the run box, but a window pops us saying windows can not find SFC ---
**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:** [August 24, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/10 "2003-08-24T17:06:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by handy \* > **Aceospades, Me has a program called System File Checker. It makes sure all your system files are okay. You can run it in the run box: SFC** Handy, [System File Checker Is Not Included in Windows Millennium Edition](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;274090) ---
**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:** [August 24, 2003, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/11 "2003-08-24T17:15:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dogface \* > \*\*Indeed, do NOT “click on” attachments AT ALL, under ANY circumstancess. \*\* Now that’s just a hysterical overreaction, and bad advice, son. ---
**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:** [August 24, 2003, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/12 "2003-08-24T17:18:27Z")
**Aceospades** , please post the entire error message, perhaps we can figure out what is causing it. Most problems can be repaired with reinstalling (what a concept!) ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/13 "2003-08-24T17:19:40Z")
well, i tryed to reinstall ME, but it did not work. ☹ anyone have any other ideas? ---
**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:** [August 24, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/14 "2003-08-24T17:23:52Z")
**without** reinstalling :smack: Please post the error message. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/15 "2003-08-24T20:49:26Z")
the error message says (from memery, i’m at work now): Explorer has caused an error in Shell32.dll Elplorer will now close. if you experience any more problems please restart your computer. i’ve tryed to use the system restore, but it won’t let me go back to any prior save points. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/16 "2003-08-24T20:52:10Z")
“Handy, System File Checker Is Not Included in Windows Millennium Edition” ooops 🙂 Here is a better Solution: In some cases, it is necessary to replace a system file that has been corrupted or outdated. ``` * Windows 98 provides the System File Checker (SFC) for this purpose. * Windows Millennium uses an option named Extract File that is located in the System Configuration Utility. * Windows 2000/XP you can have the system search for and replace damaged or missing files. ``` You can also use a Windows 98/Me Startup Disk to extract files as an alternative method of restoring files. [http://www.2computerguys.com/computers/system/systemfiles.html](http://www.2computerguys.com/computers/system/systemfiles.html) ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/17 "2003-08-24T21:27:34Z")
I’ve gotten that error before, but not at startup, just during the normal course of things. My computer then proceeds to freeze during shutdown. Sorry, not much help, I’m sure. ---
**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:** [August 25, 2003, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/18 "2003-08-25T06:28:08Z")
Try this: [IEXPLORE Caused an Invalid Page Fault in SHELL32.DLL](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;249064) ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2003, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/19 "2003-08-25T13:45:23Z")
Ugh. I’ve been having a similar problem except it only cropped up when I opened Windows Explorer and browsed to almost any folder (it wasn’t consistent even there). It got progressively worse over the course of a month. First use **handy** ’s tips above to extract a good copy of shell32.dll. [This KB article](http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=259096) from Microsoft is what finally fixed me up. WARNING - back up these registry keys before following the procedure! I didn’t and now I can’t save any Windows Explorer prefs (which I’ll fix later) but at least I can browse my folders again. ---
**Author:** ![Aceospades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Aceospades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aceospades)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2003, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-s-a-problem-with-my-computer-shell32-dll/196774/20 "2003-09-04T22:08:45Z")
Well, I’ve tried everything here and more, but still now luck. I’m probably going to just upgrade to XP. My problem now is that there are two versions of XP and I don’t know which one I should get or if it will fix this error problem. On version of XP is a full OEM. With this I would need a windows free hard drive. The problem here is I don’t know how to take ME off my computer without erasing every file that I want to keep. The other version is an upgrade. You need some version of windows already on your computer for this to work. But I’m worried that this won’t fix my problem. They both cost about the same, which one should I get?