Please help with Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime error

This was originally posted in the Spyware sub-forum and was determined not to be caused by spyware/malware/virus

Sometimes when I open up "My Videos" or any folder containing video files, I get this error message:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime Error!

Program: C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE

This application has requested the Runtime to terminate in an unusual way.
Please contact the application's support team for more information.

I downloaded the most recent The Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable Package from microsoft.com but it didn't appear to help. I think that a video codec on my PC may be causing this error but I'm not sure which one.

Here is my HijackThis log. Thanks in advance for the help

Edited to remove HijackThis log and attach as a text file. HijackThis logs should be posted in the malware forum, not here.

[attachment removed]

Hi, There's some bits of housekeeping that I recommend you consider on your machine……. 1 Your Java is now 3 versions out of date and it would be best to uninstall any older versions, close down your computer wait 30 seconds with a blank black screen and then restart and download and install the latest version (update 6)…(The older versions sometimes have vulnerabilities present, that are remedied by the later version) Post back here in this thread if you need detailed information on the procedures to follow for this or any of the following recommendations. 2 You are currently running XP with Service Pack 2 installed…….if you have meticulously updated your machine and installed all the issued updates through "Windows Update" then you may have consciously determined that installing Service Pack 3 is, at the moment, a step too far. However it would be wise to re-examine the information that is available on this and review your decision accordingly (Either to install SP3 or to continue as you are) 3 Before you install SP 3 it might be wise to run chkdsk (with the r switch) and if problems are found keep repeating the procedure (with a reboot in betreen each run ) until each of the 5 passes, presents with a clear result, with no remedial actions taken. 4 Once this has been completed then run SFC with the command, sfc /scannow and have your Microsoft Windows Installation disc handy as it may be required. These steps may not solve the runtime error you are experiencing but they will put your machine in better shape for subsequent remedial actions Regards paws

Windows Explorer has a feature that generates (or tries to) thumbnails for movies (avi/mpeg/etc.). This often slows down your computer and in some cases causes Explorer to crash.

Use ShellExView to disable 'Video Thumbnail Extractor., or delete

HKCR\CLSID\{c5a40261-cd64-4ccf-84cb-c394da41d590}

to get rid of thumbnail previews but keep the summary details in the properties tab.

You can also delete

HKCR\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandle

to disable display of summary details in the properties tab.

Before you make any changes to the registry, please back it up. An excellent way to do this is to install ERUNT. Let it add an entry to your Start menu during the install process. That will allow ERUNT to backup your registry each time you boot. It only takes a few seconds and has no real impact on boot time. Run ERUNT immediately after installing it to create a full registry backup.

Note: You may have to reboot for the change to take effect.