Illegal operation when opening up the printer folder

[crasher]

I went to add a printer, start > settings > printer but got the illegal operation, explorer. If I click the X a message opens up, an error occured in internet explorer, internet explorer will now close. THE BROWSER WASN'T OPEN!!
The detail to the operation are:
Does anyone see any clues here?

EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in
module KERNEL32.DLL at 0177:bff7b9e6.
Registers:
EAX=21674400 CS=0177 EIP=bff7b9e6 EFLGS=00010202
EBX=0262ff88 SS=017f ESP=025f0000 EBP=025f0024
ECX=025f1df8 DS=017f ESI=00000001 FS=19df
EDX=00000001 ES=017f EDI=81ba21e4 GS=0000
Bytes at CS:EIP:
56 57 89 65 e8 75 04 33 c0 eb 54 85 c0 74 4b c7
Stack dump:
0262ff88 21674400 00000001 0262ff88 21674400 025f1df8 bffbfe14 bff79250 ffffffff 025f1e08 bff7ce14 21674400 00000001 216744e1 21674400 025f1e30

[crasher]

I just found out I am getting the illegal op when opening up some folders. SOme folders get it and some don't. After I get the ill op from a folder the folder or the ill op does not appear the next time I try. nothing.


I should have stateded more info:
OS: Windows 98
Printer: HP deskjet 840C

[YODA74]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q187965

[kayofcircles]

Another MS article on the control panel re kernel32.dll here (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;171753) that I found off this MS page 98 and ME resource center (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/windows/topics/errormsg/emresctr.asp)

When you booted up after installing the printer, did you get the "Found New Hardware" screen and load the driver from the HP CD? You said you got an IE message..not to be confused with "Explorer caused.."..and if so, did you load the Instant Delivery or whatever that was called with the HP printer driver?

Wait for a tech here..but, in the meantime, don't turn puter off too many times..I am thinking it might be necessary to restore the Registry. Probably not..so not to worry..I get freaked easily..:)

[crasher]

Well, the password reset did not work. I tried to restore the registry by restartin in MSDOS. Problem:

Will not restart in DOS, goes to the blank screen with the flashing cursor and just sits ther. I eventually have to hit the reset button to resume windows.

[kayofcircles]

Sorry, am pretty much out of my depth, but getting to the Command Prompt can be a tricky process of timing. I was trying to get into BIOS the other day, and didn't push the DEL key at just the right moment and ended up where you were..at the blinking cursor screen. Restoring the Registry (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q221512) gives you step by step instructions. And a better set of instructions here at Allcentex (http://www.allcentex.com/ce/pc/sw/win98/win98restore.htm)

But I just read through your first question again, and you said that you hadn't installed the printer yet...right? So, did you install anything else just prior to trying to install the printer? This may be a stupid question, but is the 840 a USB, or parallel port? Reason I ask is that printer installation might be different for USB..maybe.

[crasher]

No, tthe printer is not an issue ath this point.
I get the message:
"EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in
module KERNEL32.DLL at 0177:bff7b9e6" when I do all or any of the following:
Open recycle bin.
Open My Documents.
Trying to open any folder using windows explore.

So, far........

And the list is growing.

I have done the above things, renamed APPLOG. Nothing.
Restore registry. Nothing.
And pretty much everything except windows reinstall.

[mjc]

Ok.......basically you are having trouble with "shell" folders, to start with and that trouble is spreading. This sounds like serious registry corruption or a viral infection.

Scan with your AV and the latest definitions....if you can't then try an online scan. (links in my sig)

[crasher]

OK. I have resorted to the Virus possibility.
I have done the following.

Reset the Password file
Renamed the APPLOG
restored the registry.
restored a copy of the KERNEL32.DLL from the CD.
reinstalled Windows.

I still have the message. Even when I open the recycle bin.

I don't know what else to do ecept backup and format.

Is it possible that a virus can infect the C:\WINDOWS directory?
Because I installed windows earlier to a different dir:
C:\WINDOWS.000
That dir did not give me the error.