Windows Explorer crashes

[cretin27]

i do have avast , thats the first thing i did, also pickep up ccleaner and malwarebytes but didnt install the second of the 2 yet...

in that link it says i need my product key...how do i find that? as for windows discs all i have is the 3 recovery discs i made when i first got the comp, i dont think i have any other discs...am i soppused to have others?

before i try that last suggestion i noticed in the comments the person ended up just doing a full re-install of the os and it worked...is this something i can do? do you think something got crossed during the last install?

and what would happin if i just left it the way it is? im able to do the things i need to do right now and would hate to screw that up...maybe left it this way for a month or 2 tell i saved for windows 7? do you think a upgrade to 7 would fix me up?

[Dragon-Fur]

Cretin,

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Windows Product Key:

You might find the Product Key on the case of your computer.

See Notes below: "The Hunt for the Product Key"

The numbers and letters displayed by the program represent the Windows Vista product key.

The product key should be formatted as

xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

five sets of five letters and numbers.

How To Find the Windows Vista Product Key Code

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Comments:

• Avast! is good Anti-Virus software.
• CCleaner is one of the less dastardly of the registry cleaners.  (I have this one.)
• Malwarebytes has an excellent reputation.

• I do not think at this point that you are infected. 
• I do believe you are "unregistered".
• I would think that the three rescue discs would be all you need.
• Something is awry - you are being asked to enter information that should be available.

NOTE:  Malwarebytes is, as far as I know, a use and then remove sort of software.  I do not know how it responds to being on the system at the same time as Avast! or whether the two coexist peacefully in the long term.  We may hear from another Expert on this subject.  If you do, heed his/her advice regarding Malwarebytes.

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Can you run "As Is"?

I do not know the answer to that.  I do not know anyone who has done so. 

My feeling is that it will be more trouble than you will like:

• You won't be able to update the system (Microsoft Windows hates you.)
• You may be harassed for being unregistered.  (I really do not know about this... Popups??)
• The system Might be unstable because it is not updated with the security updates and others.

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The Hunt for the Product Key:

Take a look at your computer case.  The new cases have the information in a very convenient location - right on the side.  Your unit is an older one (two-three years?); the information might be harder to get to:  it might be on the back, in tiny, illegible writing.  Smiling.  The product key may well be printed right there for you if you can shine a bright light on it with one hand and write down the information with the other.  Head lamp, anyone?

If you cannot find the product key on the computer case, on your original paper work, on your printed receipt... or anywhere else... Then take a look at the link to the webpage I provided above.  Therein is a description of a method for extracting the key from the registry that may work for you.

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Throw up Hands - Windows 7!

Short Version:  Windows 7 is a complete installation change.  No more Vista issues.  Learning curve for Windows 7.  Fun new Windows 7 stuff.  Lament over File System path changes takes a while to adjust... then happiness.  I actually liked Vista... I do think you will be happy with Windows 7 when you can change over to it.

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Can you reinstall?

This is one of my earlier recommendations, "just try again"...

I believe reinstallation is a valid choice (and the Best choice):

• You have your data on a separate disk. 
• You have tested the system hardware and it has passed.  This is a worry relieved...
• You have time to decide - the hardware is stable, the deliminating factor is the file system stability.
• You have your rescue discs.

I think reinstallation is better than letting it go the way it is now.  The product ID issue should not be happening.  This may be just the beginning of your problems with the file system if you let it slide ...

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I hope this helps!                                 

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[cretin27]

i had a friend on another site suggest me using RemoveWAT program to just by pass it....would this sulotion be advisable?...

[Dragon-Fur]

Cretin,

I am not familiar with RemoveWAT.

It appears to be a method of bypassing the methodology for product keys.

I am not a fan of such.

[cretin27]

ok, ill skip that. no sence in doing that unless my copy was fake id emagine....
i tried the option you suggested about activating...the one that askes me to go to computer then system properties , system properties never responded no matter how long i whated and the other were i type something in the search for the phone activation ...just poped up the same error to check online...ill just do a full restore and report back...
also, i read i should desconnect the net and wi fi tell it fully installs? should i do that?

[Dragon-Fur]

Cretin,

Simple is best:  No internet, no wifi whilst the installation is proceeding.

You need the internet only at the very end at which time you would connect to register your product (assuming you had a new computer, and in this case you do not).  You need to connect to the internet to obtain the latest Windows updates - which you do need, and any updates from HP.

The computer will let you know when the installation is complete.  As I recall, Vista instructions are pretty clear and include "We are here".... "Now, we are doing this..." type of information at every stage.

[cretin27]

ok so last night i finally got through the registration ...all updates installed correct but when i do a sfc scannow it still pops up that i have a bad file like before...im thinking unless you have another suggestion on what the problem might be im done trying...id rather leave it alone and buy something to fix it, my question for you is should i save and get a new harddrive and try to install vista clean on that? or should i just get 7 and install on my current hd? or both...isnt a new windows coming out soon? should i wait and try that one?

thanks

[Dragon-Fur]

Cretin,

I am wondering the same thing... about that file.  Same bad file??

Congratulations on fnally getting through a decent installation, BTW! 

And updated.. Good.  Welcome back!

Options:

• Windows 8 is coming... It is radically different from Windows... anything.  It will have driver issues, it will be fun, dangerous, frustrating, and make people nuts getting used to it.   For someone with just one computer, dependent on that computer: Window8, when it first comes out, may not be the best option.  Should you get it?  Yes!  Should you wait for it now?  Probably not.

• Windows 7 is stable... It is in the middle of it's life span, as these things go.  Win7 will be around for a while; you can get support for most hardware, drivers for Windows 7, printers (and printer software) for Windows 7, games, and software.  Everyone "speaks" Windows 7 these days.  Much of the software that runs on Vista just runs on on Windows 7.  Pop open the Resource Manager on Windows 7 and you will see that Vista is alive and running all over in the background processes.  Should you wait?  No reason except budget or unless you are using some old software that really won't run on Windows 7.  Get Windows 7 prepare to be confused about the different folder paths for three weeks... then happiness.

• New Hard Drive.. The tests say your system is hardware stable.  I am inclined to trust that is the case.  The testing is pretty good these days.  I cannot guarentee the testing did not miss something.  If you would like have have a new hard drive, have the budget for it, and are willing to add this to the "possibles" list, then make the purchase.  It is an "unknown" without quantitative evidence that the hardware is failing.

• Recovery Discs:  If you are using "homemade" rescue / recovery discs, you might consider purchasing recovery discs from HP.  Why?  I do not know that it would make a difference, honestly.  It would resolve any questions whatsoever about data integrity - you would know for certain that the data you are installing is without fault.  
• Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP

• Ignore and Carry On:  You could not do this previously - your system was not registered with Microsoft; you were in "Limbo-Land" of the update world.  Your computer would have no doubt had more issues.  At this point, it is possible things will settle:  It depends on which files are "bad" and whether other files are dependent on these "bad" files.   Nothing wrong with a little "wait and see" as long as you are viligant and understand the risks.  Carry on, IMO.  Of course, keep your stuff backed up and be ready for trouble...

I hope this helps!                                 

We work hard to help!

Whenever you see a Helpful Post - Click the Kudos Star on the Left as Thanks!

Did this Post solve your problem?  Mark it “Accept as Solution”!

Note: You can find the “Accept as Solution” box on threads started by you.

2012 Year of the Dragon!