Error loading Explorer.exe (UBCD4.5.20 & USP2.1a)

[jda-au]

Using "Soporifics" "Win98_UBCD_4.5.20.zip" Unattended Boot CD, complete with the Software/Programs courteously provided, and USP2.1a, System gets all the way to completion of Installation Routines.

However, after final (auto) Reboot, I am greeted with;

Error loading Explorer.exe
You MUST reinstall Windows.
           OK
           -

I know that one of the Software Programs (provided in zip file) installs a copy of explorer.exe, but I do not know which one.

May need to go through a process of elimination, removing/adding one Program at a time, until Fatal Error goes away/returns.

Q1). Any ideas on which routines/software installs/replaces explorer.exe.

(Comment): Apart from a slight problem with some of the batch-files, seemed @UPDATE1.BAT was in a continual loop, ( I have now copied your "fresh" code thanks "Soporifics"; I am really impressed and most grateful for all the work you have done. Yay!

Q1). Any ideas on which routines/software installs/replaces explorer.exe.

Regards and best wishes,

Jim

(Addition): August 05, 2007 12.00HRS GMT

To make use of this posting, it is ALL MY FAULT (not yelling!),

Do NOT add .NET_V2.0 to installation, (I was too lazy to check compatability at MS).

.NET_1.1_SP1 is fine, even the switchless compilation available with two Updates integrated at RyanVM.

Edit: (13/08/2007) How simply Dumb of me!. Do not use the above .NET_1.1 in "Windows 98/98SE/ME". It has been patched with XP updates.

Excellent! (as says Mr. Monty Burns).

Jobs' fine, except an installation named "ngen" did not install, hung during install.

I am thrilled with the end result, and to get things back onto 1CD, I removed Tour and those silly Try-me games included.

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

Regards and best wishes,

Jim

(Addition) August 05, 14.00HRS GMT

I found/solved the fatal Windows Error (see above):

Pressed F8 prior to seeing "Starting Windows 98", and selected Command Prompt Only.

Something? renamed "EXPLORER.EXE" "EXPLORER.XXX", in %windir%, so I renamed to "EXPLORER.EXE", (Excellent, says Monty B.)

What is renaming this critical file? Is it "ngen"? (I believe so!)

"ngen" was the only Installation not to complete. But, I don't know to which piece of Software to relate "ngen" to!

(I believe "ngen" is renaming "Explorer.exe" so it can do it's Setup without interference).

An answer would make my (very early here, 1.00hrs) morning!

Jim

Info:

Explorer.exe %windir% Size: 168KB Modified: 20/08/99 12:58AM

Explorer.exe %windir%\OPTIONS\CABS Size: 176KB Modified: 12/05/07 8:48PM

(Note: Date Format is dd/mm/yy).

So I replaced (from DOS (Safe Mode) Command Prompt Only) %windir%\Explorer.exe with %windir%\OPTIONS\CABS

Jim

Edited August 12, 2007 by jda-au

[RJARRRPCGP]

Sounds like possibly the Internet Explorer upgrade process failed. I gotten at least a similar error, because the CD with an updated Internet Explorer was damaged or dirty a long time ago.

[sleffing]

SESP2.1a installs explorer.exe dated Friday, August 20, 1999 12:58:48 AM.

The important part is it is version 4.72.3612.1700.

This is a fixed version that allows display of 256 bit icons.

Also important.

usp2.1a does not install ANY files in the %windir%\options\cabs directory.

I can not say what the UBCD does in this regard.

---

ngen is part of dot net framework and runs automatically on install.

As far as I know it doesn't do anything with explorer.

---

Info:
Explorer.exe %windir% Size: 168KB Modified: 20/08/99 12:58AM
Explorer.exe %windir%\OPTIONS\CABS Size: 176KB Modified: 12/05/07 8:48PM
(Note: Date Format is dd/mm/yy).
So I replaced (from DOS (Safe Mode) Command Prompt Only) %windir%\Explorer.exe with %windir%\OPTIONS\CABS
Jim

I believe the explorer.exe you have with the FUTURE date of December 5, 2007 could be

from Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 Enterprise Edition (or elsewhere). The size sounds right.

And, if that's true, it should actually be dated May 8,1998. The version is/may be 4.72.3110.1

Again the version is the important part.

AFIK the last service pack found at this forum to install that old version of Explorer.exe is

Maximus Decim's cumulative update - MDCU230E.EXE.

That is replaced by MDCU240E.EXE which installs the newer

version of explorer.exe (v4.72.3612.1700) the same as installed by sesp2.1a.

[jda-au]

Thanking all who have replied, have helped me no end with observations, answers.

I didn't bother to check what the version was, just compared the file dates.

Once Explorer loaded, I didn't even think to check on version.

Thank you for identifying ngen.

This much I do know, .NET most definitely does not touch any System Files.

I will be carefully following all info/help provided.

This project is not as simple as doing a 2K/XP slipstream, but I implicitly state that 98SE was/is best version ever.

(Cannot compare with newer versions, that is totally unfair (on 98SE).