An instance of the Explorer.exe process starts unexpectedly when you call the InstallHinfSection function in the SetupAPI.dll file on a Windows XP-based or on a Windows Server 2003-based computer (837692)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP1, when used with:
    • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP1, when used with:
    • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    • Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

SYMPTOMS

You configure the Microsoft Windows XP-based or Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer to use a different shell program other than the Explorer.exe program by setting the shell registry entry. However, when you call the InstallHinfSection function in the SetupAPI.dll file to perform an installation, an instance of the Explorer.exe process starts unexpectedly.

RESOLUTION

Windows XP

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Windows Server 2003

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.PrerequisitesNo prerequisites are required.Restart requirementYou do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.Hotfix replacement informationThis hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.File information The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Grpconv.exe5.2.3790.14236,86418-Mar-200422:20x86
Progman.exe5.2.3790.142109,56818-Mar-200422:20x86
Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatformService branch
Grpconv.exe5.2.3790.142111,10418-Mar-200406:06IA-64Not Applicable
Progman.exe5.2.3790.142111,61618-Mar-200406:06IA-64Not Applicable
Wgrpconv.exe5.2.3790.14236,86418-Mar-200406:20x86WOW
Wprogman.exe5.2.3790.142109,56818-Mar-200406:20x86WOW
Note Because of file dependencies, the most recent hotfix that contains these files may contain additional files.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

The computer uses the Explorer.exe file as a default shell program. You can change the computer shell program by enabling the shell registry entry value. This value is located in the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinLogon

You can call the InstallHinfSection function in the SetupAPI.dll file by typing the following command at the command prompt:

RunDLL32 SetupAPI,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 128 C:\Sample.inf

Note C:\Sample.inf is the path and the file name of the information file that you use to run the installation.

For more information about how you call the InstallHinfSection function in the SetupAPI.dll file, visit the following Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Web sites:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/setupapi/setup/installhinfsection.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/ifsk_d/hh/IFSK_d/ch2introtofsfilters_448471be-ea4c-4d4b-a103-42860196723e.xml.asp

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/devinst_d/hh/DevInst_d/SetupAPI_95233d19-2970-409d-8b44-de661cbf68ae.xml.asp

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/28/2006
Keywords:kbWinServ2003SP1fix kbBug kbfix kbQFE kbhotfixserver kbpubtypekc KB837692 kbAudITPRO
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.