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    Windows is screwed up?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by millermagic, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

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    The other day I started to get the messages that my windows is not valid. I get these every few months and a call to MS fixes it.

    Anyway I finally got annoyed and got a key extractor program from download.com. It was supposed to have a good reputation. I own 3 copies of XP Pro and I wanted to see which Key I was using - it's very possible I used the same key as I did on my parents' pc by mistake.

    So I run the key extractor and ... My taskbar goes blank and I get a dialog box saying that explorer.exe has crashed.

    Okay, so I reboot. anyime I go to use windows explorer the same things happens. Explorer.exe crashes. If I manually kill the process and restart it, it will work for 20 or so minutes.

    I decided to go into windows recovery mode and copy over explorer.exe ... no such luck.

    I am also having random applications crashing.

    I have done a virus scan and found nothing.

    Time for a reinstall?
     
    millermagic, Aug 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Might as well reinstall it. While you are at it, download/install a OS backup program like Ghost or Acronis. Make an image and never have to deal with that crap again.
     
    Greg, Aug 18, 2008
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  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Try cleaning up with CCleaner or any other registry-cleaner, first. Else reinstall ^.
     
    Andy, Aug 18, 2008
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  4. millermagic

    millermagic Rockin the pinktop

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    I have backup images made with ghost. Unfortunately I last did it in June> I was just wondering if I could save the install.


    Tried that, no result.
     
    millermagic, Aug 18, 2008
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