I installed Symantec's Norton SystemWorks, but it would not install AntiVirus; it said because I had it already installed. I did not, and had deliberatly removed it. After the install was through I found Explorer appears strange with a large blank panel to the right, that certain parts of the file tree have blank panels (C:\, C:\Windows, and C:\Control Panel. Also, Windows Media Player now has a blank black screen instead of the selection, unchangeable. This means I have no Control Panel, at worst, and no AntiVirus or Media Player, and screwed up screens. I tried another copy of Explorer, same results. Should I use Restore or reinstall ME, or what?

If you haven't already... try uninstalling Norton completely first.

To do this:

Go to start>>run>>appwiz.cpl

Click ok.

The add/remove programs control panel applet should come up.

Hightlight Norton and choose to totally remove it.

Thanks for the tip. Without Control Panel, I couldn't remove SystemWorks. However, doing it didn't change the situation. Something has been overwritten. Still seeking advice. At least the thorn is removed -- now I need to heal the wound.

Now that Norton is removed, try a repair or a reinstall of Internet Explorer. That should rewrite the Explorer files that are causing your issue.

To repair:

Go to add/remove programs again via appwiz.cpl.
Hightlight whichever version of IE you have and click remove.
You will get some choices.
Choose Repair.

Follow the prompts to reboot and see if that does not solve your issue.

If it does not, try reinstalling IE. You can redownload the same version you have by going to:

Microsoft's Internet Explorer page

And downloading/installing the same version.

When you open Control Panel, do you get an error message, or is it just blank?

Thanks for the response. I don't use Internet Explorer - the problem is with Windows Explorer. Sorry not clearer. Control Panel opens blank. You can see three screen shots of all this at: "http://pbase.com/merrymar/crashes" Notice the blank screen behind WinMedPlayer, opened to Windows. WinMedPlayer will play if its opened several times, crashes otherwise, and no display of Playlist; will display Main. Let me know what you think. I'm considering doing a Restore before time elapses and it updates -- maybe it already has. Seems dangerous.

Explorer and Internet Explorer are basically the same application. Although the executable files are different, they both call to the same DLL files.

Try to repair or reinstall IE.

You can also try a system resotre and see if it will work, but if you have never visited Windows Updates (and if you don't use internet explorer you probably haven't) there's a good chance it will not work. There is an update for it, but even if you install it, you won't have any updates.

When did the problem with Media player start? At the same time?

Just Reinstall Windows including IE.

Phrost