Windows Explorer APPCRASH, Need Help

[jcody]

I'm typing from my Windows XP desktop, because my Windows Vista Laptop is messed up.

A couple days ago, my Windows mail messed up a bit. It wouldn't delete some emails, it just had an error message and a windows community link popped up when I tried to delete it. I submitted a question for help, and was told to go to the microsoft website and download and run something. Which I did, and my email was able to be deleted after that.

Then, yesterday, I went to get on my laptop, and it was off. I thought that was weird, because I just closed it, I didn't turn it off. When I turned it back on, it said that it had shut down improperly and asked it it should start in normal mode, safe mode, etc. I click normal mode. It seemed to be starting up as normal, loaded my desktop wallpaper, folders, etc. But the items on the bottom right toolbar, such as my internet connection, battery life status, antivirus image, etc, none show except the time and a yahoo search box.

I can't click on anything on the desktop, that programs button, nothing. It pops up that Windows Explorer has stopped working. When I go to check online for a solution and restart program. It seems to be doing something, then restarts program and up pops the same box.

Here are the problem details:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Explorer.EXE
Application Version: 6.0.6000.16386
Application Timestamp: 4549b091
Fault Module Name: msi.dll
Fault Module Version: 4.0.6000.16386
Fault Module Timestamp: 4549bd89
Exception Code: c00001d
Exception Offset: 00004dfb
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: 8d13
Additional Information 2: cdca9b1d21d12b77d8f02df48e34311
Additional Information 3: 8d13
Additional Information 4: cdca9b1d21d12b77d8f02df48e34311

(I just restarted computer again, and this time, my anytime organizer calender popped up and let me roll my to do items over from yesterday to today, but I still cannot click on the start button or any of my desktop icons)

I can't use my laptop to download a hijack or anything, as it just won't let me do a thing.

Oh please say you can help.

ps. Got another popup box saying my Windows Sidebar has stopped working

PPS - Something new just happened. I clicked on Check online for a solution and restart program, which I've done before and it never did anything. A new box popped up that says Problem Reports and Solutions - Problem caused by Windows, which was created by Microsoft Corporation. Currently, there is no solution for the problem that you reported. However your computer might be missing updates that can help improve its stability and security. Recommendation - Install high priority updates from the Microsoft Update website. Now, when I click on the link, of course, nothing happens. And, my computer updates automatically, so I don't think that's the problem.

UPDATE:
I was able to press F8 while restarting and it took me to the system restore area. I restored to about 5 days ago and am now backing up my system onto an external drive. I am able to click on things and make them work now!! I hope this fixes it. One of the things I restored prior to the installation of was a new HarmonyOne universal remote control that I got. I wonder if that has anything to do with my problems??

Thanks,
Jamie

[AnnMarie]

Hi Jamie unless the problem happened shortly after the installation of this device, it's hard to know what caused the problem. I am glad that all is well now though and thanks for the update.