Windows Explorer constantly crashes.

[edward]

Kind of a stupid suggestion...but why don't you download a new explorer.exe?

[Neil Jones]

Kind of a stupid suggestion...but why don't you download a new explorer.exe?

Because it's rarely that file that's causing the problem so replacing it won't make any difference.

New suggestion: Pop an XP CD in that matches the current configuration (ie a CD with XP Home SP2 in your case) and perform a Windows repair. Note: Not the repair console.

[Chris]

Another suggestion: Why do you actually need Windows XP if you dual boot with 2000 (they are pretty much the same under the hood)? And if you hate Windows XP that much, why do you not get shot of it?

Also, have you used any of those modification programs on Windows XP that patch files and change settings?

[DJGM]

Another suggestion: Why do you actually need Windows XP if you dual boot
with 2000 (they are pretty much the same under the hood)? And if you
hate Windows XP that much, why do you not get shot of it?

If I hated Windows XP, I wouldn't be using it at all. I actually think Windows XP is a very good OS
when it's working the way I want it to. These days, I use Windows 2000 as a temporary fallback
if something goes a bit pear shaped in Windows XP. The only things I don't like in Windows XP,
are the default configuration and the general layout of the OS right after a new installation, as
well as the default "FisherPrice/TeletubbyLand" style UI. But, these things are fairly trivial, and
are easy enough to reconfigure to my liking, so they don't particularly bother me.

I'm not going to get rid of Windows XP anytime soon, unless it gets as bad as Windows ME!

Also, have you used any of those modification programs
on Windows XP that patch files and change settings?

I did use WindowsBlinds 4.0 recently, but that was on Windows 2000. The only third party UI
mod (although it's not strictly third party) I've applied in Windows XP, is the Royale Theme.
Since that's made by Microsoft, it doesn't need any unofficial patching tools for it to work.

[DJGM]

Problem resolved. An app called ShellExView has weeded out the little blighter causing the instability and
crashes. It turns out to be the context menu entry for DivX. Which gives me another reason to dislike DivX!

The repair install (or "in place upgrade") of Windows XP didn't really make any difference to the problem.