I've got a winXP laptop from a friend and a "folder" icon is showing up
a lot of places.
I got to control panel and there is one there. If I click on it, it
just opens another explorer window with nothing there. On the left
side there is a ADD PRINTER and SETUP FAXING under a printer tasks. So
looking at my pc I guess that its the "printers and faxing" item on the
menu, and sure enough that item is not on the control panel. I can't
rename it so that's one problem. And this seems to be a common problem.

When I'm viewing the control panel, the blue bar at the top of the
window is not labeled "Control Panel" like my pc, its just simply
labeled "folder". So this "Folder" problem is a bit bigger than I
thought.

Any ideas what might have done this and how to reset it. The owner
says they just turned it on.

Oh Another thing, When I click on device manager from my computer, it
says the devmgmt.msc is not there (it is) or not a proper MSC file or I
don't have permission. Well, I thought I did (I mean the user on the
pc).

Thanks for any replies. I'm not looking so much for a fix, (but that
would be nice) I'm looking more for what is it that is screwing up the
PC, I mean more of a concept info. But of course the end is to fix it.

PS its as 4 year old compaq and a bit slow and of course well used.
I tried running a few scans and they won't run. The user did run one
but they did not get errors.

The original problem was they got an error opening a .htm file. I can
reproduce that easily.
Also there is no network any longer. So I'm trying to resolve the
wireless right now. I've also got it cabled too.

Big_Al wrote:
> I've got a winXP laptop from a friend and a "folder" icon is
> showing up a lot of places.
> I got to control panel and there is one there. If I click on it,
> it just opens another explorer window with nothing there. On the
> left side there is a ADD PRINTER and SETUP FAXING under a printer
> tasks. So looking at my pc I guess that its the "printers and
> faxing" item on the menu, and sure enough that item is not on the
> control panel. I can't rename it so that's one problem. And
> this seems to be a common problem.
> When I'm viewing the control panel, the blue bar at the top of the
> window is not labeled "Control Panel" like my pc, its just simply
> labeled "folder". So this "Folder" problem is a bit bigger than I
> thought.
>
> Any ideas what might have done this and how to reset it. The owner
> says they just turned it on.
>
> Oh Another thing, When I click on device manager from my computer,
> it says the devmgmt.msc is not there (it is) or not a proper MSC
> file or I don't have permission. Well, I thought I did (I mean
> the user on the pc).
>
> Thanks for any replies. I'm not looking so much for a fix, (but
> that would be nice) I'm looking more for what is it that is
> screwing up the PC, I mean more of a concept info. But of course
> the end is to fix it.
> PS its as 4 year old compaq and a bit slow and of course well used.
> I tried running a few scans and they won't run. The user did run
> one but they did not get errors.
>
> The original problem was they got an error opening a .htm file. I
> can reproduce that easily.
> Also there is no network any longer. So I'm trying to resolve the
> wireless right now. I've also got it cabled too.

Please provide Operating system (flavor and service pack level, more detail
better.):
Start button --> RUN (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R
on your keyboard) --> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
verbatim. ;-)

Assuming a 32-bit Windows XP with at least SP2... Clean it up:

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

Reboot.

Fix your file/registry permissions...

Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
(If you have SP3 - ignore step 6...)

Reboot and ...

Search your registry for %fystem and replace the "f" with an "s". May be
three or four matches, may be none. You may even have to take ownership
(even after doing the above) of the keys in order to make the change.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

and..

Log on as an user with administrative rights (assuming you are in this case
- given your problem) and open Internet Explorer and visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a CUSTOM scan...
(Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.)

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones for
now. I would completely avoid the Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do
not see any urgent need to install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time

Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)

After doing all the cleanup listed above, you will be more likely to be able
to pinpoint/fix any remaining issues.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Shenan Stanley said this on 8/11/2009 2:00 PM:
> Big_Al wrote:
>> I've got a winXP laptop from a friend and a "folder" icon is
>> showing up a lot of places.
>> I got to control panel and there is one there. If I click on it,
>> it just opens another explorer window with nothing there. On the
>> left side there is a ADD PRINTER and SETUP FAXING under a printer
>> tasks. So looking at my pc I guess that its the "printers and
>> faxing" item on the menu, and sure enough that item is not on the
>> control panel. I can't rename it so that's one problem. And
>> this seems to be a common problem.
>> When I'm viewing the control panel, the blue bar at the top of the
>> window is not labeled "Control Panel" like my pc, its just simply
>> labeled "folder". So this "Folder" problem is a bit bigger than I
>> thought.
>>
>> Any ideas what might have done this and how to reset it. The owner
>> says they just turned it on.
>>
>> Oh Another thing, When I click on device manager from my computer,
>> it says the devmgmt.msc is not there (it is) or not a proper MSC
>> file or I don't have permission. Well, I thought I did (I mean
>> the user on the pc).
>>
>> Thanks for any replies. I'm not looking so much for a fix, (but
>> that would be nice) I'm looking more for what is it that is
>> screwing up the PC, I mean more of a concept info. But of course
>> the end is to fix it.
>> PS its as 4 year old compaq and a bit slow and of course well used.
>> I tried running a few scans and they won't run. The user did run
>> one but they did not get errors.
>>
>> The original problem was they got an error opening a .htm file. I
>> can reproduce that easily.
>> Also there is no network any longer. So I'm trying to resolve the
>> wireless right now. I've also got it cabled too.
>
> Please provide Operating system (flavor and service pack level, more detail
> better.):
> Start button --> RUN (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R
> on your keyboard) --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
Windows XP SP3. The Recovery CD however is SP1
Version 5.1 build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234: Service Pack 3
500 meg memory by the way.


> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
> (Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
> give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
> verbatim. ;-)
>
> Assuming a 32-bit Windows XP with at least SP2... Clean it up:
>
> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
> following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):
>
> SuperAntiSpyware
> http://www.superantispyware.com
I will not install,
The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if
you are running Windows in the safe mode, or if the Windows installer is
not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance. OK
.... is the error message.


>
> MalwareBytes
> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>
I have malwarebytes on a thumb and I will not run.

> After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
> whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
> if you wish.
>
> Download and run the MSRT manually:
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx
>
> Reboot.
>
Done.
I'm working on the rest here. So I'm not done yet. I'll update once
I get further with a status. .....

> Fix your file/registry permissions...
>
> .......... snipped.
>

See inserted comments.

Shenan Stanley said this on 8/11/2009 2:00 PM:
> Big_Al wrote:
>> I've got a winXP laptop from a friend and a "folder" icon is
>> showing up a lot of places.
>> I got to control panel and there is one there. If I click on it,
>> it just opens another explorer window with nothing there. On the
>> left side there is a ADD PRINTER and SETUP FAXING under a printer
>> tasks. So looking at my pc I guess that its the "printers and
>> faxing" item on the menu, and sure enough that item is not on the
>> control panel. I can't rename it so that's one problem. And
>> this seems to be a common problem.
>> When I'm viewing the control panel, the blue bar at the top of the
>> window is not labeled "Control Panel" like my pc, its just simply
>> labeled "folder". So this "Folder" problem is a bit bigger than I
>> thought.
>>
>> Any ideas what might have done this and how to reset it. The owner
>> says they just turned it on.
>>
>> Oh Another thing, When I click on device manager from my computer,
>> it says the devmgmt.msc is not there (it is) or not a proper MSC
>> file or I don't have permission. Well, I thought I did (I mean
>> the user on the pc).
>>
>> Thanks for any replies. I'm not looking so much for a fix, (but
>> that would be nice) I'm looking more for what is it that is
>> screwing up the PC, I mean more of a concept info. But of course
>> the end is to fix it.
>> PS its as 4 year old compaq and a bit slow and of course well used.
>> I tried running a few scans and they won't run. The user did run
>> one but they did not get errors.
>>
>> The original problem was they got an error opening a .htm file. I
>> can reproduce that easily.
>> Also there is no network any longer. So I'm trying to resolve the
>> wireless right now. I've also got it cabled too.
>
> Please provide Operating system (flavor and service pack level, more detail
> better.):
> Start button --> RUN (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R
> on your keyboard) --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
> (Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
> give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
> verbatim. ;-)
>
> Assuming a 32-bit Windows XP with at least SP2... Clean it up:
>
> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
> following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):
>
> SuperAntiSpyware
> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> MalwareBytes
> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>
> After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
> whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
> if you wish.
>
> Download and run the MSRT manually:
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx
>
> Reboot.
>
> Fix your file/registry permissions...
>
> Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
> titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
> (If you have SP3 - ignore step 6...)
>
> Reboot and ...
>
> Search your registry for %fystem and replace the "f" with an "s". May be
> three or four matches, may be none. You may even have to take ownership
> (even after doing the above) of the keys in order to make the change.
>
> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>
> Reboot.
>
> and...
>
> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
> ... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
> of the C:\ drive, do the following:
>
> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>
> Start button --> RUN and type in:
> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
> --> Click OK.
>
> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
> NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>
> Reboot.
>
> Then follow the instructions here:
>
> How do I reset Windows Update components?
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>
> Reboot.
>
> and..
>
> Log on as an user with administrative rights (assuming you are in this case
> - given your problem) and open Internet Explorer and visit
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a CUSTOM scan...
> (Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
> first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
> release the CTRL key after clicking each time.)
>
> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
> (deselect any others) and install it.
>
> Reboot again.
>
> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
> time.
>
> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
> against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones for
> now. I would completely avoid the Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do
> not see any urgent need to install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>
> CHKDSK
> How to scan your disks for errors
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
> * will take time
>
> Defragment
> How to Defragment your hard drives
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
> * will take time
>
> Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
> manufacturer's respective web pages.)
>
> After doing all the cleanup listed above, you will be more likely to be able
> to pinpoint/fix any remaining issues.
>
I've been able to fix 99% of the issues.
I did the typical chkdsk, scans etc.
I install IE7 cause IE6 was so trashed. No address bar, no associations
etc. This fixed 90% of that program and got me on the web. I
tinkered a lot, did a good part of your suggestions above, and since I
had issues installing programs, I did reinstalled the windows installed
and autoupdater as suggested. So far not much help.
I finally attacked the inability to get to program files. I found
this link http://windowsxp.mvps.org/AllPrograms.htm and the command
supplied did the trick. As a matter of fact it did a lot of fix.
The start menu looked different, the all programs looks good, the icons
in the systray are good. etc.
I've got what seems like 2 last issues:
1) Avira Anti-virus is loaded and running but the security console does
not see it so it keeps reporting an error.
2) on www.google.com the "google search" button or enter does not work.
I can't search. Its really a bigger issue that most "Do something"
buttons on web sites don't work. Like a javascript issue or something.
I also can't run the windows update cause it seems to get an error
and does not allow me to install the active-x control it needs. I
don't get the yellow bar at the top allowing me to install active-x
control or not. I've enabled all IE7 add-ons now and to no avail. I
do not see Java as an add-on either yet its loaded.

I think if I could get past these two items all seems well.

Shenan Stanley said this on 8/11/2009 2:00 PM:
> Big_Al wrote:
>> I've got a winXP laptop from a friend and a "folder" icon is
>> showing up a lot of places.
>> I got to control panel and there is one there. If I click on it,
>> it just opens another explorer window with nothing there. On the
>> left side there is a ADD PRINTER and SETUP FAXING under a printer
>> tasks. So looking at my pc I guess that its the "printers and
>> faxing" item on the menu, and sure enough that item is not on the
>> control panel. I can't rename it so that's one problem. And
>> this seems to be a common problem.
>> When I'm viewing the control panel, the blue bar at the top of the
>> window is not labeled "Control Panel" like my pc, its just simply
>> labeled "folder". So this "Folder" problem is a bit bigger than I
>> thought.
>>
>> Any ideas what might have done this and how to reset it. The owner
>> says they just turned it on.
>>
>> Oh Another thing, When I click on device manager from my computer,
>> it says the devmgmt.msc is not there (it is) or not a proper MSC
>> file or I don't have permission. Well, I thought I did (I mean
>> the user on the pc).
>>
>> Thanks for any replies. I'm not looking so much for a fix, (but
>> that would be nice) I'm looking more for what is it that is
>> screwing up the PC, I mean more of a concept info. But of course
>> the end is to fix it.
>> PS its as 4 year old compaq and a bit slow and of course well used.
>> I tried running a few scans and they won't run. The user did run
>> one but they did not get errors.
>>
>> The original problem was they got an error opening a .htm file. I
>> can reproduce that easily.
>> Also there is no network any longer. So I'm trying to resolve the
>> wireless right now. I've also got it cabled too.
>
> Please provide Operating system (flavor and service pack level, more detail
> better.):
> Start button --> RUN (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R
> on your keyboard) --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
> (Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
> give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
> verbatim. ;-)
>
> Assuming a 32-bit Windows XP with at least SP2... Clean it up:
>
> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
> following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):
>
> SuperAntiSpyware
> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> MalwareBytes
> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>
> After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
> whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
> if you wish.
>
> Download and run the MSRT manually:
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx
>
> Reboot.
>
> Fix your file/registry permissions...
>
> Ignore the title and follow the sub-section under "Advanced Troubleshooting"
> titled, "Method 1: Reset the registry and the file permissions"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949377
> (If you have SP3 - ignore step 6...)
>
> Reboot and ...
>
> Search your registry for %fystem and replace the "f" with an "s". May be
> three or four matches, may be none. You may even have to take ownership
> (even after doing the above) of the keys in order to make the change.
>
> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>
> Reboot.
>
> and...
>
> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
> ... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
> of the C:\ drive, do the following:
>
> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>
> Start button --> RUN and type in:
> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
> --> Click OK.
>
> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
> NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>
> Reboot.
>
> Then follow the instructions here:
>
> How do I reset Windows Update components?
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>
> Reboot.
>
> and..
>
> Log on as an user with administrative rights (assuming you are in this case
> - given your problem) and open Internet Explorer and visit
> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a CUSTOM scan...
> (Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
> first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
> release the CTRL key after clicking each time.)
>
> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
> (deselect any others) and install it.
>
> Reboot again.
>
> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
> time.
>
> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
> against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones for
> now. I would completely avoid the Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do
> not see any urgent need to install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>
> CHKDSK
> How to scan your disks for errors
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
> * will take time
>
> Defragment
> How to Defragment your hard drives
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
> * will take time
>
> Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
> manufacturer's respective web pages.)
>
> After doing all the cleanup listed above, you will be more likely to be able
> to pinpoint/fix any remaining issues.
>

I have the most done. I went down most of your suggestions and still
no fix. No harm but no fix.
I found this page http://windowsxp.mvps.org/AllPrograms.htm searching
for a why to the all programs not showing up or empty. This fixed a
ton of issues. Menus work, control panel works, things are labeled
right etc.

In the process of re-installing the Windows Installer and autoupdater
and AV software, I found ie6 just not working 0%. I just simply
upgraded to IE7 and this solved the explorer issues. I downloaded the
latest Java 6 too. Some of this is just updates this user would not
do, she play cards and thats it.

So now the last 2 issues (and may be related) are in IE7. The "google
search" button on www.google.com along with most other search or prompt
and "go" button type web page does not work. Ask.com etc. Hitting
just does nothing. AND, on the windows update page, it needs to
install an activeX control and it can't. The popup on IE7 for me to
click and say yes to active x install is not there. I've checked the
security levels in internet options, reset to defaults, checked
specifically the JAVA and ACTIVEX parts of the options tabs but find
nothing horribly wrong. Changed one or two to 'enable'.

So those two issues are minor but not hitting a button and update are
things I think I want.... Thanks for any more help.