Member Avatar for smartdetect

i've got winXP pro ....lately i started gettin this error whenever i try to open any windows application(my computer/control panel/IE etc..):


Micrsoft VisualC++ runtime library.
Buffer overrun detected!
Program :E:/windows/explorer.exe....
A buffer overrun has been detected which has corrupted the programs internal state.The program cannnot continue its execution safely and must be terminated.


One thing i noted is that whenever i disable my LAN connection(i've got cable net) things kinda get better....means it atleast doesnt show this error....but says.......YOu are notr currently connected to internet blah blah .....

Work offline Try again
it gives the above message even when i try to open control panel.
but the application starts.


so everytime i need 2 browse i hav 2 first disable the LAN open as many IEs and then enable the LAN and use those already opened IEs.


please help
- sandeep.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by alc6379

Dani AI

Generated

The pattern reported — a Visual C++ runtime “Buffer overrun detected” in explorer.exe that improves when the LAN is disabled or when logging out — strongly points away from CD/burner problems and toward a user‑session or network‑related component corrupting Explorer’s memory space. That matches ’s spyware suspicion and explains why a simple reinstall (if it preserved third‑party drivers/settings) might not have helped. ’s burner comment is unrelated (as noted).

Practical, prioritized checks (fast to do and reversible):

  • Boot with F8 into Safe Mode (try with and without networking). If the error stops with networking disabled, a network filter/driver or network‑aware shell extension is implicated.
  • Test with a fresh local account. If the new account is clean, the problem is profile‑specific (startup items, shell extensions, per‑user shell hooks).
  • Do a clean boot: run msconfig, hide Microsoft services, disable remaining services + startup items, reboot and retest.
  • Check Event Viewer (Application log) for the explorer.exe faulting module and exception code — post those details for targeted help.

Deeper diagnostics and fixes:

  • Temporarily disable/uninstall third‑party firewall/AV, VPN, P2P or network‑monitoring tools; these often install network filter drivers. In Network Connections → Local Area Connection → Properties, uncheck non‑Microsoft items to test.
  • Disable non‑Microsoft Explorer extensions using Autoruns (Sysinternals) or ShellExView (NirSoft) and re‑enable one group at a time to isolate the offender.
  • Run SFC (sfc /scannow), chkdsk, and a full up‑to‑date antivirus/anti‑spyware scan (preferably offline rescue media). If Winsock/LSP corruption is suspected and SP2 or later is present, netsh winsock reset can help; otherwise use an LSP/Winsock repair tool.

If all else fails, a true clean install that formats the system partition (boot from the XP CD, delete/create the partition and format before installing) is the last resort — back up data first. Posting the exact Event Viewer error (faulting DLL and exception code) will allow narrower advice.

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Member Avatar for Catweazle

Moved to Windows XP section.

Member Avatar for Catweazle

Sorry for the double post, but I just got a chance to respond to this.

Check your system for spyware. See the "Helping Yourself" topic in the Security forum section for advice, and post back if you have remaining problems after working through the syggestions there. It's quite likely that you have some system corruption from unwanted intruders as well, and a refresh install might be needed to address that:

Member Avatar for smartdetect

well i reinstalled the win but no use ...same prob persists...and ya i said earlier that that things get better when i disable my LAN ,...but actually they get better when i logout of my account....also tell me how 2 format the drive containing Wiin XP???!!!!
- sandeep

Member Avatar for jessiemcmillan

run your burner at a higher speed

Member Avatar for alc6379

run your burner at a higher speed

You're thinking of a buffer underrun, I think. That's a completely different topic.

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