Same error. I found this - what do you think?

"If u are getting this error Explore.exe is not a valid win32 application do the following

insert the winxp cd in the cd drive and run this command sfc /scannow from a dos prompt. this will restore any corrupt files if needed. you need to be an administrator to do this. Of course this will remove the updates that u have installed and you wil have to redo the updates"

I'm still looking at the ms link you sent - From what I'm reading it doesn't seem to describe what's going on with my pc. Plus although the first part of the instructions say to boot with the install disk but then on reboot to safe mode I'd need to be able to see the desktop to complete the next step.?? I certainly trust your judgement & if you think this is what I need to do I'll try it.

pk