explorer.exe - the memory could not be "read" or "written"

[Misanthropic]

I've got a problem with my AMD Athlon XP 1800+ 1533 MHz / 512 MB DDR computer running Windows 2000 Professional.
Every time I start the computer up comes this dialog with the caption

"explorer.exe - Application error"

and then it says

The instruction at "xxxx" referenced memory at "xxxx". The memory could not be "written".

I'm not too sure whether it says "written" or "read" at that point.

Then the computer freezes - well not actually, but it stops loading. No icons, no start panel, but when you hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and start the task manager there's a whole bunch of processes running just like normal except you can't switch to them.

AND! This DOES NOT ALWAYS HAPPEN. All of a sudden these dialogs can still appear but then Windows will still start. It is at one of these moments I'm writing this post.

Anyway, if I get Windows to start, sooner or later a similar dialog will come up followed by another one (I'm looking at one right now - it appeared when I double-clicked the "Connected" icon down on the taskbar. To that point I was running Opera while accessing the net. I have it floating on top cause Opera seems to be working at least until I hit OK on that dialog).
If I click OK on those two dilaogs either

a) the computer will still respond (the desktop will disappear and get to that "Restore my active desktop&quot.

b) be like at most startups, ie hang the computer.

This has occured when clicking the connected icon, when trying to view the Documents menu on the Start menu and when running Windows Explorer and/or Internet Explorer.

What now? Post here and ask if anything is unclear. Please help!

 

[pweegar]

First off, reboot into safe mode by presing F8 at bootup. I then would delete all .tmp files (Use the search function from the Start button) Delete them all.

Then I would defrag my hard drive, esp. if you haven't done it in a while. Then from Run type: chkdsk c: /f You should then get a mseeage saying chkdsk can run, do you want to run chkdsk at the next boot. Choose Yes. Rebbot your pc. CHKDSK will then do a check of your hard drive and fix any errors. It may take several minutes, so don't be alarmed.

Does I.E (opera, etc) now work? If not go into the add/remove programs in the control panel and remove i.e and re-install it. This should fix the problem. If not, download the free MS memory check utility, install it on a floppy or bootable CD and test your computer's memory.

Also run a virus checker just to make sure there are no viruses present. I'd also download the following programs: System Mechanic, EasyCleaner, RegCleaner, Ad-aware 6, install and run each one. System Mechanic costs around $60 but is free for 30 days and is fully functional. The rest are free. They also help keep your pc' hard drive and system registry clean.

 

[bcastner]

pweegar,

Explorer, not IE.