Explorer.EXE ordinal 423 not found in urlmon.dll after updates/IE8 install

windows-xp internet-explorer-8 windows-genuine-advantage

14,924

EDITED.

Step 1: Get into Safe Mode, use Ctrl+Alt+Del to get into Task Manager, run appwiz.cpl, remove IE8 from the installed programs, and restart.

Step 2: Install IE8 again, from a stand-alone installer.

14,924

Zoot

I am a Software Developer and Linux Geek.

Updated on September 17, 2022

Comments

Zoot almost 2 years

Setting up a brand new Dell Optiplex 980 with Windows XP SP3, and everything started up fine on the first boot. My first task was to install system updates, including IE8 and WGA.

After the required reboot after installing updates, I now get this error message:

Explorer.EXE Ordinal not found.

The ordinal 423 could not be located in the dynamic link library urlmon.dll

Per my cursory Google search, this forum thread places the blame squarely on IE8. The solution provided is to enter safe mode and remove IE8. Unfortunately, when I press F8 to choose to boot safe mode, I only have the option of "Windows XP SP3 Professional" and no safe mode options. Any other ideas? Thanks in advance.

FYI, I can get to the Windows Task Manager by holding down Control-Alt-Delete, but programs don't seem to run properly if you select them. I tried chatting with Dell Support, and we tried to initiate the system restore at c:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, but that had a similar "ordinal 423 not found in urlmon.dll" error.
Zoot over 13 years

No can do. Explorer.exe doesn't work. Can't really do anything from the desktop.
Admin over 13 years

The problem is urlmon.dll, right? So can you find another machine with the same configuration and copy it over? Reinstalling an OS is a dramatic solution to the problem.
Zoot over 13 years

Sadly, I already started formatting and reinstalling before seeing the edited option, so I don't know if it would have worked. If I run into the problem again, this will be the first thing I try.
Stumbler over 13 years

For future reference, not having explorer.exe is not the worst thing in the world. Ctrl+Alt+Del usually brings up Task Manager, and from there you can run cmd.exe, appwiz.cpl, and so on.
Zoot over 13 years

Yes, urlmon.dll was the main problem, and reinstalling was rather dramatic. I didn't have a similar machine available.
Zoot over 13 years

The second time around, the updates didn't cause any errors or have any issues. Go figure.
Ravindra Bawane almost 13 years

Just had this issue today on a laptop. Removing IE8 and rebooting and explorer.exe opens perfect.
slhck about 12 years

Care to explain a little how this works?
Jerome almost 12 years

Ctrl+Shift+Esc skips the intermediate step of Ctrl+Alt+Del and brings up the task manager directly, from which you can run appwiz.cpl directly as Randolph stated.
Stumbler almost 12 years

@ChristopherGalpin, feel free to edit the original answer as well if you like.