Lost Explorer!!

[GeordieJedi]

I'm trying to help fix my friends laptop, but just as I was getting somewhere...

After a hard re-set. and I get the following dialogue =

Explorer.EXE - Unable to locate component (title of the box)

Error message =
This application has failed to start because BROWSERUI.dll was not found.
Re-Installing the application may fix this problem.

I there anyway I can use my XP disc to re-copy the file across to the laptop rather than having to re-install or repair-install from scratch??

Thanks in advance for any help.

[ollie]

AFAIK the only way is to boot into recovery mode from the XP CD and copy the file from the CD to the correct location on the HDD.

However, in my experience when explorer.exe (the Windows kernel) has problems like this a virus or other malware has caused the issue, unless the user deleted those useless *.dll files to make more space available (Don't laugh I've seen it done). You really are better off using SystemRescueCD, or similar, to back up all important data and starting from a formatted hard drive. Scan all files on a separate PC with up to date AntiVirus before putting them back onto the laptop.

[MartyBartfast]

Perhaps it's pointless pointing out that this would be better asked on a Windows forum.

Anyway trying to bring it back to Linux, I would try getting an Explorer.exe onto a USB key from another system, then boot your mates PC from a live Linux distro and use it to copy the Explorer.exe from the USB key.

TBH I'd be surprised if this was the limit of the problem, I don't think Windows would let him delete Explorer.exe so it's likely that something nasty has happened which would probably have taken out other stuff as well and you could end up jumping through hoops replacing one file after another.

It will probably be better and easier to reinstall (preferably Linux, but reinstall XP if you must.)

[GeordieJedi]

Wow Cheers for the fast responses Ollie and MartyBartfast.

The 1st couple of issues with the Laptop was its increadibly Slooooow speed
Tried a windows de-frag, but the drive had 1% space free.
(1 Gig of temp internet files and all his data on the puny C: drive.
I dont think its been cleared or backed up since I last did it over a year ago!)

So I backed up his docs + transferred them to the empty D: partition.

But I need to stress how painfully slow this Lappys (not-going).
Anyway it locked up again (for the 6th time that day). I had to do a hard reset.

After a fs check by windows, said there were a few corrupted files and then booted as normal. Thats when XP decided to deny all knowledge of explorer...Aaarrgghhh.

My main issue is now going to be, can I retrieve the XP key from the laptop, as I wont be able to re-use mine. When I do the repair-re-install?

@ MartyBartfast =
I understand this is a Linux forum, and I've also posted on a PC forum too.
But I just thought I would chance my hand. (But I dont wanna annoy anyone
or outstay my welcome. Just thought I'd try).

But a big thanks to you both for all of your help.
Cheers lads.

[MartyBartfast]

by XP key I assume you mean the license key, isn't there a sticker on the bottom of the laptop with the key on it? that seems to be the norm when you buy a system with Windows preinstalled.

[GeordieJedi]

Tremendous!!
Its there on the bottom staring at me. Thanks!

Will it matter if his was XP-home and mine is XP-Pro?

Cheers.

[MartyBartfast]

I would think so, but have very little experience of reinstalling Windows, every time I've been in a situation where a reinstallation was indicated I threw it away and installed Linux!!!!!

[ollie]

Tremendous!!
Its there on the bottom staring at me. Thanks!

Will it matter if his was XP-home and mine is XP-Pro?

Cheers.

Definitely, you can't use a XP-Home key with XP-Pro.

[GeordieJedi]

Cheers Ollie. (I thought as much but, It was worth a try)

I was actually thinking along the lines of what MartyBartfast mentioned,
and installing Ubuntu.

I gave it a quick try and apart from running very slowly in the live cd mode
the only major prob I'm now having is trying to partition the drive.
(It seems Ubuntu doesnt want me to mess with the current structure.
so I cant add a swap partition).

I might try formatting it with Knoppix then trying agan?

But thanks to you both for all your help.
Its much appreciated.

[ollie]

Just choose "Manual partitioning" during the installation and delete all partitions if you are going to install Ubuntu. Then create "/", "swap" and "/home" partitions and continue with the installation. Choosing to automatically "Use entire hard disk" will also get rid of the offending OS

[GeordieJedi]

Thanks again Ollie (are you sick of me saying that yet? he he)

I totally forgot about deleting the former partitions 1st

Ive followed your advice. And its burbaling away nicely now.
Will let you know if its sucsessfull.

(And what my mates rection is when I show him it..... )

Take it easy.

[HINTERG]

Talking of Win laptops running out of space, colleague of mine has a very well known manufacturers product with two partitions, c,d. It seems his pc runs an automatic back-up prog on a regular basis, backing up everything on c, which is the only drive in use, to d. No problem with that except it seems not to delete previous back-ups as it goes. You can guess the rest! Quite a bit of fuss about it on some Win forums so I hear. All tech support says is 'Its bad to delete anything'. Ho hum.....................

[GeordieJedi]

Right......

Ubuntu stalled installing at 15% . So I popped another LXF disc into
the drive (PC linux OS) and.....

Wow, I tried the live install DVD. It wasnt like a sloth on his day off!

It partitioned the drives (which to be fair ubuntu did all the work previously)
and wrote the boot partition. It then asked me to re-boot.

Ta-da...one working laptop....whey.

I just need to connect to the net. Install some missing codecs and
I should be cooking with gas!

[GeordieJedi]

Well, after the 3rd atempt I've finnaly got Ubuntu 8.04.01 installed on the laptop....woohoo!

Its not as nippy as PC Linux OS 2007 but.....at least the sound is now working.

I showed it to my friend last night. His reaction.....

"Oh Ubuntu, isn't that waht you use on your machine?" and
"At least its working now cheers"

So there you go....no screams or hiding behind the sofa.

So thanks very much to Ollie and Martybartfast for all your help