Err Msg: Explorer.exe - Exception: Access Violation (0xC0000005)

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you log in to Windows NT, you may receive the following error message:

   Explorer.exe - Exception: access violation (0xc0000005)

CAUSE

This error message can occur if the Windows 95 version of the Explorer.exe file has been copied to the root folder or the Windows NT folder.

RESOLUTION

If there is a Windows 95 version of the Explorer.exe file in the root folder, follow these steps:

1. Click OK to acknowledge the Dr. Watson error message.

2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager.

3. Click New Task.

4. Load Explorer.exe from the Winnt folder.

5. Click Start, click Run, type "%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe" in the Run box, and then click OK.

6. Rename the Windows 95 version of the Explorer.exe file in the root folder, or move it to another folder.

7. Restart the computer.

1. Click OK to acknowledge the Dr. Watson error message.

2. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, and then click Task Manager.

3. Click New Task.

4. Load the Windows NT command prompt by typing "cmd.exe" (without quotation marks.

5. At the command prompt, rename the Explorer.exe file in the Windows NT folder. For example, type:

         ren c:\winnt\explorer.exe c:\winnt\explorer.w95
   

6. With the Windows NT CD-ROM inserted in the CD-ROM drive, change to the CD-ROM drive letter.

7. Change to the appropriate machine folder. For example, change to the I386 folder for Intel-based computers.

8. Expand the Explorer.exe file from the I386 folder on the Windows NT CD-ROM to the %SystemRoot% folder on the hard disk. For example, type the following command:

         expand explorer.ex_ %systemroot%\explorer.exe
   

9. In Task Manager, click New Task.

10. Type "explorer.exe" (without quotation marks).

11. Restart the computer.