[Resolved] "explorer.exe" cannot be started, black screen

Question

Hello everyone !

So here's my problem : When the PC starts, I have the usual login screen and after logging in, there's a black screen. The UI is not displayed, nor the wallpaper. I can access the Task Manager though and "explorer.exe" is not running and I can't start it, the window just blinks and then nothing. However, there is a weird thing : I can open an file explorer window by typing "explorer.exe /" followed by anything, in "cmd", but the UI still doesn't show up. I have looked around a fair bit and tried the "sfc /scannow" command and it returned a log (see after this text), and "chkdsk" did not return any errors. I tried to see if the problem persisted in safe mode and it did, however this time I got an error window : (translated from french, sorry if not exact) "The instruction at 0x6c022eee uses the memory address 0x8cae7138. The memory cannot be in state 'written'. Click OK to terminate the program." That window was titled : "explorer.exe - Application Error". I tried a clean start, but still doesn't work. I hope I don't need to reinstall Windows, even though the major part of my data is on an auxiliary HDD, it would still be a pain to reinstall what's on it :)

I hope I have all the info needed and thank you for your future answers !

CBS.log (sfc /scannow output) :

Dropbox link

Answer 1

Решил эту проблему путем удаления программы StartlsBack из системы кнопки Пуск. И заработала рабочая станция explorer.exe

Answer 2

The temporary solution is to uninstall windows update KB3035131.

Are you using any system software modifications such as a Start button replacement?  Others have found that a better solution is to uninstall those things, then install the update, then see if there is a compatible update for their mod.

C.f.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_update/ms15-025-causing-black-screen/6c0b381f-b255-4ec7-a076-16cf3cb64018#LastReply

Answer 3

• I tried, and was able to "hear" the Win-P window even if it did not appear. 

That's expected.  Can you use CursorUp or Backtab to get to the Duplicate option?  Then press Enter or Spacebar to activate it.

Win-C still doesn't seem to do anything and pressing end/begin/next page/prev page or the arrow keys does'nt seem to do anything either. All of these with the narrator of course !

It's unfortunate that Narrator is so taciturn about what it announces.  Sometimes I have to use Backtab and Tab to try to make it say something to me.   I will try to get some better technique developed so it's more reliable and not so quirky.

Can you get Task Manager going?  Is explorer.exe running?  Can you get a window moving so it shows on your screen?  In fact, I just realized you can start Task Manager before you log in!  Then you might be able to move it off-screen so you can see it when you get into your logged in state.  I suppose I should try doing that myself too.

Another possibility would be to boot in Low-res video mode (aka VGA mode but really SVGA resolution if available.)  If you do see the Project dialog and can use it the Low-res state can be temporary and easily changed.

HTH

Robert

---

Answer 4

So why can't you start Task Manager?

So, even if it is about the one you are looking at presumably Narrator would tell you what you would otherwise be seeing.

• Humm, yes I can.
• I tried, and was able to "hear" the Win-P window even if it did not appear. Win-C still doesn't seem to do anything and pressing end/begin/next page/prev page or the arrow keys does'nt seem to do anything either. All of these with the narrator of course !

Soo, I don't know :/

Thanks !

Answer 5

can open an file explorer window by typing "explorer.exe /" followed by anything, in "cmd", but the UI still doesn't show up.

Usually that means that the window is either off screen or on another monitor.  Since you don't have explorer.exe running you may not be able to use the simplest fix:  Win-P, CursorUp, Enter.  (E.g. to switch from Extend to Duplicate, merging windows and letting them show on all monitors.)   Otherwise, just use the conventional method of moving hidden windows around:  make sure it has keyboard focus (e.g. using Alt-Tab), then press Alt-Space M, a Cursor key will then engage the mouse pointer on the window's Title bar and you can move it back.   If you don't have a mouse you can move it back with more keystrokes (e.g. repeat press on an arrow key)--provided you are sure that you are moving it in the right direction--otherwise it will bump into the unseen monitor's hidden edge.

CBS.log (sfc /scannow output)

What are all those "duplicate ownership" warnings?  Expected?  I have never seen that before.  Makes the log almost unreadable.  Filter it with find /v  or a regular expression pattern exclusion to really "ignore" them.   <eg>

HTH

Robert Aldwinckle

---