Msconfig won't open

when trying to register oleacc.dll
However oleacc.dll seems to repopulate in the system32 folder immediately after deletion. After several, what I thought were successful deletions, I finally just replaced the file with the new one from your download. A clue?

You need to go to your Folder Options menu and unhide some options.

UNCHECK box "Hide extensions for known file types

CHECK circle for "Show hidden files and folders

UNCHECK box for "Hide protected operating system files".

(I'm sure some of these were already done).

Make sure you have downloaded both oleacc.dll and the appwiz.cpl files to a place on your hard drive you can get to them (a place other than the windows folder(s).)

Now, reboot into Safe Mode.

Look in Safe Mode in the c:\windows\system32\dllcache folder for the oleacc.dll file AND while you're there, the appwiz.cpl file.

If both are present there, delete them from that folder. Replace them with the oleacc.dll and appwiz.cpl files I had you downloaded.

(Note: appwiz.cpl might not be present there (in the dllcache folder) ...it's not in my dllcache folder. BUT, if it is, you need to delete it from dllcache and replace it with the new version, as well as putting a copy of the new version in the system32 folder).

ALSO, put the newer versions of those two files in your \windows\system32 folder.

What's happening is that the dllcache folder contains versions of Windows Protected Files. If Windows detects that a deletion has occured to a protected file, it will immediately attempt to replace it with a copy it has in the dllcache folder. So, it's necessary to remove/replace the versions in your dllcache folder AND your system32 folder if you want newer versions of the files to stick. AND, this must be done in Safe Mode.

So, your tasks:

Boot to Safe Mode.

Go to c:\windows\system32\dllcache

Find oleacc.dll and appwiz.cpl in the dllcache folder.

Delete them.

Find oleacc.dll and appwiz.cpl in the system32 folder.

Delete them.

Now, copy the NEW DOWNLOADED versions I gave you for both oleacc.dll and appwiz.cpl to:

c:\windows\system32

AND

c:\windows\system32\dllcache

with add/remove and set programs

regsvr32 appwiz.cpl

No change?

Start/ Run/ copy/paste below and click OK:

rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl

What exactly happens? Any message?

tying to register appwiz.cpl
LoadLibrary("appwiz.cp")failed-The specified module could not be found

When trying to run rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL appwiz.cpl
nothing appears to happen

Your "specified module could not be found" error shows the file as "appwiz.cp" vs. "appwiz.cpl". Can you repeat the process?

the error message now is - LoadLibrary("appwiz.cpl")failed-A dynamic link library(dll)initialization routine failed
my mistake I noticed the missing l in the error message but it did not compute

I actually found a post from someone with virtually the same issues as you currently have. Unfortunately, there was no solution offered. I have emailed the guy (post is 4 years old, however) to see if he can provide some answers to what eventually cured the problem. In the meantime, given the similarities, I'd like to see if there's a common issue here.

The post is here:

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-442444.php

Note: While he couldn't get the Add/Remove program to run from its normal file location --system32, he DID get it to come up by doubleclicking on appwiz.cpl in the system32\dllcache folder. That's what I got out of his post, anyway. Can you try that?

Can you also download/run Hijackthis.exe and post its log file here?

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download

Read the FAQ if you need to know how to create a log file. Copy and paste the log here. It will tell a lot.

So, two things: Try running appwiz.cpl from the dllcache folder (doubleclick on it) and run hijackthis and post its log file here.

Read post you linked problems seems exactly the same.
appwiz.cpl will not start from system32 folder but it DID start from the system3\dllcachefolder

downloaded Hijackthis and started scan
Received error message
An Unexpected error has occured at Procedure ModRegistry_IniGetStreings(sFile=win.ini,sSection=windows,sValue=load)
Error #5-Invalid procedure call or arguement

Was asked to submit error to improve Hijackthis and when I clicked submit button got message that no internet connection was available.
Internet connection was available

Scan continued and log file is below

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 12:31:36 PM, on 2/19/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP3 (6.00.2900.5512)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\smtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgnsx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\FIXIT\Desktop\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.cnet.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://store.presario.net/scripts/redirectors/presario/storeredir2.dll?s=consumerfav&c=3c01&lc=0409
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Compaq
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: AOL Toolbar Launcher - {7C554162-8CB7-45A4-B8F4-8EA1C75885F9} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Toolbar 3.1\aoltb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AOL Toolbar - {DE9C389F-3316-41A7-809B-AA305ED9D922} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Toolbar 3.1\aoltb.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WCOLOREAL] "C:\Program Files\COMPAQ\Coloreal\coloreal.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Smapp] smtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {3369AF0D-62E9-4bda-8103-B4C75499B578} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AOL Toolbar 3.1\aoltb.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: Support - {9896A011-1B5F-4CA6-B164-4B30D8232CB8} - C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\SIGNUP\Presario.htm (file missing) (HKCU)
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://store.presario.net/scripts/redirectors/presario/storeredir2.dll?s=consumerfav&c=3c01&lc=0409
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1234670367109
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\avgrsstx.dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free8 E-mail Scanner (avg8emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Free8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Check Point Software Technologies LTD - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

--
End of file - 5068 bytes

Download this file and doubleclick on it:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/addremoverestrictionsundo.reg

It removes any and all restrictions on running Add/Remove Programs.

Reboot.

Try opening Add/Remove normally.

If that doesn't help, try this experiment: Boot into Safe Mode. Try to open Add/Remove normally. Try opening services.msc normally in Safe Mode. Report back.

Re: Hijackthis log: You've got a couple of browser dealies from bearshare that could be removed, but I don't think they are influencing what's wrong with your pc right now.

when this downloads it is in a new tab and looks to be something that should be in the registry? Don't know what to do with it?

boot in safe mode
No add/remove icon in control panel
services.msc does nothing

Your Add/Remove program in Control Panel also controls the Set Program Defaults function on the PC. I didn't make the obvious connection before.

Well, I'm guessing two things here:

You're either missing the Add/Remove control panel applet file, or it's corrupted. It's located (or should be located if you have it, anyway) in your c:\windows\system32 folder. It's named "appwiz.cpl".

I've uploaded a good, working version of the XP SP3 appwiz.cpl file. Download it and replace your current one in the \windows\system32 folder. Reboot. Try to get to Add/Remove programs and Set Program Access/Defaults again.

(Note: If you DO have an appwiz.cpl file in there already, just rename it to "appwiz.old" and place the new one there instead.

Link to appwiz.cpl download:

http://www.box.net/shared/01vzohnsd4

Trying to get to Add/Remove programs and Set Program Access/Defaults

Also the same action as the oleacc file, found only 1 instance of appwiz.cpl and renamed it as suggested but when I went to move the new downloaded version into system\32 folder received message that file already existed do you want to replace, answered Yes

Appears I can't delete or rename files in this folder without them being immediately recreated from somewhere?

See title of this post.

add/remove still does nothing

Have used files from that site before on other computers never had them download like that(in plain text) didn't know how to proceed

Question: Have you tried bringing up the System Restore applet? I'm not sure exactly when you first started having troubles (date-wise, that is).

If you have system files that are missing and/or corrupted, system restore won't help you. But if there are registry settings that have been hosed somehow from right before this first started happening to know, system restore might help (by restoring the registry to an older date, and hence, hopefully getting rid of any registry corruption).

1. Identify the date these problems first started happening. You want to go "back in time" to a date fairly close to that.


2. Try to open up System Restore by clicking on Start/Run/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.

or, click Start/Run and copy/paste this into the run box and click OK:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

See if you can open that program and see what dates PRIOR to this problem cropping up are in bold. You need to choose the "Restore my computer to an earlier time" option to see the calendar of dates. See if there are any in BOLD that are BEFORE this problem cropped up, but not too far back in time before it cropped up. In other words, if you know for sure this problem started this past Saturday, look for bolded dates from the week BEFORE this past Saturday.

Report back with what you find and what you know.

Before Saturday computer was so infested with spyware/malware and who knows what it would barely run.With an abundance of time on my hands I decide to tackle cleaning it up and making it useable to eventually replace my current 98SE box.

I was able to access Add/remove programs before I went online to get up to date virus and firewall programs.

I then proceeded to get Windows up to date Not sure if I could access Add/Remove at this point

I am not sure if I could access it before running online scan Housecall but I do know that after that scan I could not

Computer had not been used before Sat for approx. 2 yrs

(I want you to download/install Microsoft Management Console 3.0, as that controls applets such as the Services.msc and event viewer. Hopefully that will clear up that issue. Download and install that from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=61FC1C66-06F2-463C-82A2-CF20902FFAE0&displaylang=en Reboot afterwards and try running services.msc)

Now, on to my speech:


Look, I'll take this as far as you want to go with it; as long as I think there's a place to go. It's your pc, after all. You always know that you have the Recovery CD to fall back on (and that may, in fact, be the end game here). So long as you haven't overwritten anything on the D: partition (unlikely, unless you've repartitioned), it should restore OK. If you eventually do go that route, you would just need to install XP SP2 first, then XP SP3 and later hotfixes. Of course, first order of business would be to download AVG 8 Free onto a CD or flash drive so you can have the pc disconnected from the internet while installing/recovering, and then install AVG.

To prepare for that eventuality, I would download Windows XP SP2 as a complete file, and then XP SP3 as a complete file, as well as AVG 8 FREE. Put them all on flash drive or CD's. Then, do the recovery and SP/Antivirus upgrades WITHOUT being online until you are through with all.

XP SP2 here (ignore the warning about not downloading if upgrading one pc):

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

XP SP3 here (again, ignore warning about not downloading if upgrading one pc):

http://www.microsoft.com/DownLoads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&displaylang=en

AVG 8 FREE here:

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?part=dl-AVGAntiVir&subj=dl&tag=button

---end of speech---

Just keep the above in mind if you eventually have to go the recovery route. But for now, please download/install the Microsoft Management Console 3.0 and reboot. Try to run services.msc from Start/Run.

Report Back.

Please do ALL of these steps:

1. (basic step should have done a long time back). Click Start. Click Run. Type:

chkdsk c: /f

Click OK. Type "Y" and Enter when the prompt comes up saying it can't be checked right now but do you want it to be checked at next system restart. Reboot. XP will check your hard drive for errors.

2. There was something odd in your hijackthis log, now that I think about it. XP doesn't ordinarily use "win.ini" and "system.ini", both throwbacks to Windows 98 and earlier. But there was a "Load" line referenced in the hijackthis log error report for win.ini. So, let's check it out.

Go to your C:\Windows folder. Doubleclick on "win.ini" file. It will open in notepad. Copy and paste it back here. Do the same for "system.ini" So, copy and paste the contents of both win.ini and system.ini here.

3. There is a way to start services manually without having to use services.msc (still waiting to see if the Microsoft Management Console 3.0 install helped you). Copy and paste these lines into Start/Run individually. For each one, you should get a Dos/cmd box that says "Success" for the command you are running.

cmd /k sc start termservice

cmd /k sc config termservice start= auto

cmd /k sc start fastuserswitchingcompatibility

cmd /k sc config fastuserswitchingcompatibility start= auto

Reboot.

See if you've got your welcome screen back.

1. CHKDSK Discovered free space marked as allocated in the Master File Table (MFT) Bitmap
Windows has made corrections to the file system

2.win.ini
; for 16-bit app support
[fonts]
[extensions]
[mci extensions]
[files]
[Mail]
MAPI=1
[MCI Extensions.BAK]
aif=MPEGVideo
aifc=MPEGVideo
aiff=MPEGVideo
asf=MPEGVideo2
asx=MPEGVideo2
au=MPEGVideo
m1v=MPEGVideo
m3u=MPEGVideo2
mp2=MPEGVideo
mp2v=MPEGVideo
mp3=MPEGVideo2
mpa=MPEGVideo
mpe=MPEGVideo
mpeg=MPEGVideo
mpg=MPEGVideo
mpv2=MPEGVideo
snd=MPEGVideo
wax=MPEGVideo2
wm=MPEGVideo2
wma=MPEGVideo2
wmp=MPEGVideo2
wmv=MPEGVideo2
wmx=MPEGVideo2
wvx=MPEGVideo2
wpl=MPEGVideo
m2v=MPEGVideo
mod=MPEGVideo
[WAOL]
AppPath=C:\Program Files\America Online 6.0
SharedPath=C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOLSHARE

system.ini
; for 16-bit app support
[drivers]
wave=mmdrv.dll
timer=timer.drv
[mci]
[driver32]
[386enh]
woafont=dosapp.FON
EGA80WOA.FON=EGA80WOA.FON
EGA40WOA.FON=EGA40WOA.FON
CGA80WOA.FON=CGA80WOA.FON
CGA40WOA.FON=CGA40WOA.FON

3.
cmd /k sc start termservice -Start Service Failed 1056: An instance of the service is already running

cmd /k sc config termservice start= auto -Success

cmd /k sc start fastuserswitchingcompatibility -Start Service Failed 1056: An instance of the service is already running

cmd /k sc config fastuserswitchingcompatibility start= auto -Success

No welcome screen after reboot

When trying to install Microsoft Management Console 3.0, received this message
KB907265 Setup Error
Setup has detected that the Service Pack version of this System is newer than the update you are applying

There is no need to install this update.

I am looking to your knowledge to determine when there is no place else to go. As long as you think there are option to explore I am willing to keep exploring.This exercise has been a learning experience of great magnitude for which I can not thank you enough.So at any point you feel the end of the game has been reached just let me know and Recovery CD it is.
Thanks again
EZ

Looking back over your posts, it appears you never set a password for your account. Yes, I know; it worked before without a password. But some of the Windows updates security stuff might have changed that behavior.

Simple experiment: Go into the User Accounts and set a password for your account. Reboot. Welcome Screen? If you do, you might want to then go back and remove the password and reboot and see if you <i>still</i> have a Welcome Screen.


Also, check to see that "Offline Files" are NOT enabled (prevents fast users switching):

Open Windows Explorer OR My Computer. Click on Tools. Click on Folder Options. Click on Offline Files tab. Make sure Offline Files are NOT enabled/checked.

In addition to the setting a password on your account in the previous post (and disabling offline files) to check for the Welcome Screen, please do the following to try and remedy the .msc opening issue:

As usual, copy and paste one at a time in Start/Run box and click OK:

Regsvr32 Msxml.dll

Regsvr32 Msxml2.dll

Regsvr32 Msxml3.dll

check your windows\system32 folder for other msmxl*.dll files and reregister them, too. For example, on mine, I have (in addition to the ones I listed above):

msxml4.dll
msxml4r.dll
msxml6.dll
msmxl2r.dll

etc., etc.

So, follow the reregistering process above by substituting the exact file names of ALL the msxml*.dll files you see in your system32 folder. Type the names carefully when you substitute for the regsvr32 command so it doesn't give you an error because of a type.

Reboot.

Try opening services.msc and/or go into Control Panel/Administrative Tools and try to open the Event Viewer and any of the other apps in the Administrative Tools section. They are all .msc-based files.

The 3 files in your post Succeeded

The 2 files listed below (found in system\32 folder also Succeeded

msxml4.dll

msxml6.dll

The 5 files listed below (found in system\32 folder Returned the following message - Filename was loaded but the DllRegisterServer Entry Point was not found This file can not be registered

msmxl2r.dll

msmxl3r.dll

msmxl4r.dll

msmxl6r.dll

msmxlr.dll

Reboot
services.msc does nothing
In Control Panel I have no Administrative Tools Icon, however if I switch to classic view do have Icon this opens window containing shortcuts to the following: Component Services, Data Sources (ODBC), Services, Computer Management, desktop.ini, Performance
However none of these open anything.

change Welcome screen behavior

Folder Options I have only 3 tabs General, View, File Types and can find no mention of Offline Files on any of those Tabs ?

In Control Panel/User Accounts, doubleclick on the icon for YOUR account. (might be under the heading "or pick an account to change".

You should get a box that comes up asking what you want to change. Choose the password option. You'll have to type it in two boxes (one to confirm). Exit out, reboot.

re: Offline files: It is not supported in XP Home Edition. My bad. Disregard.

That's quite odd that you don't have any option to either create or reset a password. <b>Stay in Classic View for now, please.</b>

In User Accounts, doubleclick on the icon for your account. You SHOULD have the following choices:

Change My Name
Create a Password
Change My Picture
Change My Account Type
and possibly:
Setup My Account to use a .NET Passport

I just thought of something else to try, too. No matter what happens with this password deal for now (but let me know!), go back to the main user User Accounts box (in Classic View mode).

Under the "Pick a Task" heading, choose "Create a New Account". Go through the steps. Choose a different name for the account than your current name. Give it a password. Make sure it has Administrative privileges. Don't worry about changing the picture.

Exit out. Reboot. Welcome Screen? Try logging on as the new user, no matter what screen you get.

Once you get to the new user's desktop, try opening these things you couldn't open before (services.msc, add/remove programs, etc.). There's a possibility that it's your user profile (your current user name profile) that's messed up, and is causing all these problems. We've been trying to deal with them on the system level, when it could be a user profile issue. This will test that possibility.

Report back. You can always delete the new account, so don't worry about creating a new one. Again...make sure it has Administrative privileges.

What's different about what you see for your account?

Take another look

Will create another account to check things out