Windows XP SP2 updates problem with SHLWAPI.DLL and SHCreateThread

From: virtualjay (virtualjay_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 10/15/04 

Date: Fri, 15 Oct 2004 08:05:13 -0700

This post concerns the error "The procedure entry point SHCreateThreadRef
could not be located in the dynamic link library SHLWAPI.DLL" that may occur
after running Windows Update.

There appears to be a potential problem brewing out there in relation to
Windows XP SP2 and application of the subsequent SP2 (Security Bulletin
MS04-038, update KB834707) critical update. I live in one consultant in a
small community and so far I have had two clients with this problem, so I
thought I would just put out the information that I have found. Please
excuse the length of this post. The problem occurs when this update is
applied to a computer in which SP2 was not fully installed. I know this
should not be able to occur, but it does. The two clients that I have fixed
resulted from two different circumstances. In the first, SP2 was applied,
and then KB834707 was applied before rebooting the system. In the second,
the SP2 installation was canceled (gracefully) when the user determined that
they simply did not have enough time to complete it right then. Returning to
Windows Update the next day, the automatic process acted as if SP2 was fully
installed, and prompted them to install KB834707, which they did. Now both
situations involve a mistake on the part of the user, albeit very
understandable ones that many users would be likely to make. The real
problem sees to be that KB834707 does not adequately check its own
prerequisites before installing. The result is that the user can boot and
logon, but they then get a message “The procedure entry point
SHCreateThreadRef could not be located in the dynamic link library
SHLWAPI.DLL”. The Start button and desktop icons are not displayed,
indicating that Explorer.exe is never loaded. The user can Ctl-Alt-Delete to
get to task manager to shut down. The same problem occurs when booting in
Safe Mode. The solution (finally, if that is what you are looking for) is to
uninstall KB834707. I was able to do this in both instances using the
following procedure

1. Boot to the Recovery Console (and hope you have the admin password)
2. Type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst
3. Type batch spuninst.txt
4. The screen will scroll around, saying “files missing”, “access denied”
and also copying files about. Just wait for this all to finish
5. Reboot. I was able to reboot in normal mode
6. Re-install SP2 (You must do this or the problem will recurr at step 7).
7. REBOOT
8. Install KB834707

I hope this helps the next person. Regards.