Trying to fix my sister's laptop.

I can boot to the desktop fine, but as soon as it loads, I get this
error box:

Explorer
Explorer has caused an error in <unknown>
Explorer will now close.

If you continue to experience problems, try restarting your computer.


Needless to say, restarting doesn't help at all.
I can click on close, but it just comes back up until the computer
crashes completely (locks up, not blue screen) and the only way to do
anything is to hard boot.  But with repeated reboots, same problem.

I would just format and reinstall, but her dvd-rom drive is broken
(physically broken) and Compaq wants $300 for a replacement. I have
found one online for $150, but that=92s still a ridiculous amount of
money.

Is there problem fixable without format and reinstall?  I can always get
an adapter, throw here hard drive in my desktop, format, install the OS,
and put in back in her laptop and hope for the best, but I would prefer
to solve the problem if possible.

Any ideas??

Thanks,
Neal Collins
A+

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