Cannot open Add or Remove programs in XP

[Rock]

You're welcome Max.

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Rock,

You rock! you are a genuine example of a saint to provide so much helpful
advice and information. Thank you so much!

The problematic computer is at my workplace. it's not actually my
computer... I have been feeling bad about it as one day I will leave, who
knows when. My successor will inherit the problem if I have not fixed it.
However, my employers are rather stupid in not providing any backup
facililties as you suggest is wise to do. So I am thinking I will leave
the
XP Add/Remove problem. I am pretty sure now that I caused it with a reg
cleaner. (I use Windows Defender to deal with malware at my work. It seems
to
do a good job). If I can't find a fairly easy fix I am inclined to the
solution suggested by BillW50. JV16 Power Tool has a good Add/remove
programs
facility. I will pay the $20 to install it. It's a small price to pay for
my
reckless stupidity.

However, for my home computer, I will get acronis, I was already intending
to do so. I've got the 300GB ext HD. And for sure I will follow all the
links
you kindly provide to relevant information. Thanks again friend. Really,
you
know, I see that much of my "problem" has been in my head -- a concerned
attitude about what I had done. I am not concerned anymore. I just needed
to
discuss it with people like you who know what they are talkng about.
Thanks mate!
Max

 

[Guest]

How did you fix this problem?

 

[Guest]

Hello,

I am using XP Pro with SP2.

A few months ago I suddenly found that I was unable to open Add or Remove
programs and have been unable to open it ever since then.

The only possible cause of the problem I can think of is that around that
time I started experimenting with various computer tuneup software and
registry cleaners...

The message I get when I try to open Add/Remove Programs is titled RUNDLL
followed by:

An exception occurred while trying to run
"C:\WINDOWS\system32\shell32.dll,Control_RunDLLC:\WINDOWS\system32\appwiz.cpl"

Can you advise me how to fix please? Thanks so much!

 

[Guest]

how did you fix it

 

[Guest]

how did you fix it

Rock/mikeyhsd/Frank, Thank you all so much for your wise advice about
registry cleaners. I am learning not to look for and trust quick fixes to
registry problems that I didn't even have! In the meantime, I do have a real
problem -- I still cannot open Add or Remove Programs. Will I have to
reinstall the operating system?

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

how did you fix it

You asked four times. That should be enough.

 

[Guest]

how did you fix it

I installed the jv16 Power Tools 2006 software. Among it's many features is
a "software manager" that they say works in exactly the same way as
Add/Remove Programs. It's a lazy way to solve the problem, but as they say:
it works for me!