Cannot open network properties

[jla]

I have a Windows 2000 server that will not let me get into the network
properties. When you right click on the desktop icon and choose
properties, nothing happens. No error message or hourglass or
anything. The exact same thing happens when I double click on the icon
in the Control Panel.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Look in Event Viewer to see if any pertinent errors have been recorded. Also
try booting into safe mode or safe mode with networking to see if that makes
a difference and if it does you have a conflict with a startup
program/services that may be interfering which msconfig could help
troubleshoot with selective startup. I would also do a full virus scan and
parasite scan with the latest definitions for each application you try. ---
Steve

 

[Ryan Hanisco]

This can also happen if you are logged into a server with GPOs blocking
those things.

This is what I do with my Citrix users.

 

[Shalom B.]

Yes, Perhaps, you have a GPO prohibiting access to the control panel or
control.exe.

Also, Verify if you can open the System Properties or desktop properties
via these commands

% Control.exe sysdm.cpl
and
% control.exe desk.cpl
or just the .CPLs by themselves.

You could also do a System File Check (SFC /SCANNOW) to repair/replace
missing/corrupt system files.

 

[Joe]

Thank you for the suggestions. I can open several of the control panel
applets from the command prompt as you suggest. However, when I try
"control netconnections" I get nothing. I checked the local computer policy
settings, and I cannot find a location where access to the network
properties is disabled. I did find a spot where I think this could be
controlled, but it was not configured. Could you tell me where this option
is disabled with a GPO so I can be sure I'm looking in the correct spot?

I have never run a system file check before. This is a production server.
What dangers are there in running this utility?

Thanks,

Joe