Usually on the first boot of the day, I get the "Windows Explorer has encountered an error and needs to close" statement. I researched previous entries on the topic, and found an old one from 2008, which pointed to a malware problem.

Is this always the case ? I have been using Avira forever, and periodically run Ad-Aware and Spybot, and lately Advanced System CARE. (I also used CC cleaner last year). I will install a firewall now, because I noticed that Windows firewall is not perfect.

I'm using WinXP 2002 SP3.

I have the TECHNICAL error data for the Explorer problem, if anyone needs that to give me advice.
Thanks in advance (my first POST)Please visit this webpage for a tutorial on downloading and running ComboFix:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

See the area: Using ComboFix, and when done, post the log back here.Thanks. I ran the Malware removal recommendations and that cured the problem. I will keep your Combofix suggestion for further use.

Thank you very muchActually, don't use ComboFix in the future without supervision of an expert. Come back here for any further problems. If used unsupervised, ComboFix can cause damage to your operating system, and can create other severe issues. Thanks.

To uninstall ComboFix

• Click the Start button. Click Run. For Vista: type in Run in the Start search, and click on Run in the results pane.
  
• In the field, type in ComboFix /uninstall

• Then, press Enter, or click OK.
• This will uninstall ComboFix, delete its folders and files, hides System files and folders, and RESETS System Restore.