Question : Explorer.exe instabilities in XP Home (terminates upon startup)

On my Windows XP Home box, explorer.exe (the shell?), which comprises the taskbar, desktop, file navigation system etc. terminates, even when I try to get it running again with "Run" in the task manager. Ocassionally it'll be stable for all of five seconds, then disappear, reappear, then disappear again for good. Otherwise, everything else works without problems. Initially I thought this to be the result of a virus/worm/malware, but I scanned every single directory with AVG and McAfee Stinger and turned up nothing. I've also tried repairing the installation, to no avail. To my knowledge I haven't done a thing to trigger this kind of behavior, so you must understand my confusion.

What could be the problem?

Thanks for your assistance.

Answer : Explorer.exe instabilities in XP Home (terminates upon startup)

I wanted to know if "explorer'exe" is listed under the Image File Execution Options" key, and I wanted to know the value of the "debugger" since none are present that's good.

Okay it's looking clearer.
SDFix found some vundo files.
1. Please download VundoFix.exe to your desktop.
http://www.atribune.org/ccount/click.php?id=4
* Double-click VundoFix.exe to run it.
* Click the "Scan for Vundo" button.
* Once it's done scanning, click the "Remove Vundo" button.
* You will receive a prompt asking if you want to remove the files, click YES
* Once you click yes, your desktop will go blank as it starts removing Vundo.
* When completed, it will prompt that it will reboot your computer, click OK.
* Please post the contents of C:\vundofix.txt.

Note: It is possible that VundoFix encounters a file it could not remove.
In this case, VundoFix will run on reboot, simply follow the above
instructions starting from "Click the Scan for Vundo button." when
VundoFix appears at reboot.


2. If vundofix doesn't find any files, run this alternative.
 Download VirtumundoBegone from here:
http://secured2k.home.comcast.net/tools/VirtumundoBeGone.exe
 and save it to your desktop. When you have done this doubleclick on VirtumundoBeGone.exe and follow the instructions. When it has finished, reboot. If you like, post the log that is created on your desktop called VBG.TXT in your next reply. Do not worry if you see a BLUE SCREEN "Fatal Error" Message, it is normal and expected.