Access To Control panel

[del]

I have 2 user accounts on my PC (win xp pro)

On my main account it is a administrator but when I go to "add remove
programs" in the control panel
I get the following message "These control panel options are not available
to make changes contact your system administrator"
well that's me! how can I get "add remove programs" back?

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

I have 2 user accounts on my PC (win xp pro)

On my main account it is a administrator but when I go to "add remove
programs" in the control panel
I get the following message "These control panel options are not available
to make changes contact your system administrator"
well that's me! how can I get "add remove programs" back?

Try this: "How to Reset Security Settings Back to the Defaults"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313222).

 

[del]

Tried that doesnt seem to do anything.

Iany ideas?

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

Tried that doesnt seem to do anything.

Then check your PC against viruses and other malware.

 

[del]

I have antivirus installed and a firewall, so thats not the problem

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have antivirus installed and a firewall, so thats not the
problem

You quoted nothing, so I can't tell what your question was or
what is "not the problem." However, be aware that an antivirus
program reduces the risk of a virus substantially, but can never
guarantee that there are no viruses on your system.

Also, you say antivirus and a firewall, but you say nothing about
the other common type of malware these days--spyware. Unless you
run at least a couple of different anti-spyware programs, it's
*very* likely that you have multiple spyware infections.

 

[Test User]

I have antivirus installed and a firewall, so thats not the problem

.... not necessarily. I regularly remove viruses, trojans, and spyware from
systems that have antivirus and firewalls.

Perhaps you shouldn't be too quick to just discount possible problems.
Check first.

HTH
-pk

 

[del]

Look I know it is not spyware or a virus or a trojan etc believe me I have
scanned my computer. (with several different products)

thanks for the help

 

[Sharon F]

Look I know it is not spyware or a virus or a trojan etc believe me I have
scanned my computer. (with several different products)

thanks for the help

Regardless, something is blocking a default security setting from working
properly. Since restoring the defaults as Thorsten first recommended did
not work, the next step is finding out what is blocking that change and
access to control panel. Spyware and viruses are the most common
explanation for an unexpected change in permissions. Hence, the
recommendation to scan the system with up to anti-virus and anti-spyware
programs.

Other things to try are creating a new account in the administrator group
to see if has the same trouble accessing Control Panel. And booting to Safe
Mode and trying there.