Generic Kernel32.dll Error Checklist
Richard G. Harper has posted [to newsgroups], several times, his "generic Kernel32.dll error checklist":
(1) Bad memory modules. Try inserting the command: DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS into your Config.sys file with the System Configuration Utility (Start/Run/MSCONFIG) and watch your computer for a message "HIMEM has detected unreliable memory at address xxxxxxxxx" which will certainly indicate that there's a memory problem. It may take several reboots over a period of days for this to show up.
(2) Bad video drivers. Check with your video card manufacturer for an updated set of drivers.
(3) CPU, bus speed or multiplier overclocking. Don't. :-)
(4) Faulty or dirty cooling fans on your CPU or power supply. The CPU fan can be cleaned with a small paintbrush and some compressed air. The power supply fan should be cleaned only by someone who is comfortable working around high voltage capacitor components. If you're not sure if this is you, then trust me, it isn't you.
(5) Graphic acceleration set too high. Right-click My Computer, select Properties, then the Performance tab, then the Graphics button. Turn down graphics acceleration a notch, reboot, try again. Repeat as necessary.
(6) Animated mouse cursors, mouse trails, and Active Desktop can also rarely cause these kinds of problems. Try disabling them all and re-adding one at a time until you find the culprit. Additionally, the following has solved many people's Windows Explorer kernel32.dll crashes: In the root directory of C:\, modify or create a CONFIG.SYS file to include the following lines: files=65 buffers=40 stacks=64,512 If the error persists, try adding this line to your System.ini file in the [386Enh] section: ; Increases default stack pages from 2 to 6 MinSPs=6 (The default is 2. If required, increase increments by 2.) (The ; works the same as * REM * works in AutoExec.Bat) Click Edit, Save, Edit, exit. Shut down and restart for the changes to take effect.