Huge blank space in WinXP "Add or Remove Programs"

[Lew/+Silat]

This is what you get by indiscriminately installing flakey third-party
software.

I would never install something called "JavaCool FileChecker" on my
system.

DSH

Hmmmm let me educate you then !
Javacool is a reputable site. They make spywareblaster and spywareguard.
They are recommended by everyone in the know about protecting your computer.

 

[lisa harkema]

This is what you get by indiscriminately installing flakey
third-party software.
I would never install something called "JavaCool FileChecker" on my system.

I think this bug is just like many software bugs in that it happens on
some systems and not on others.

The JavaCools folks (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com) are very well
respected, and, we should keep in mind this is freeware that we THANK
them for allowing us the privilage of using, free of charge.

The software from JavaCools is first rate, first class, and loved by
many. They supply us, free of charge, great programs such as
SpywareBlaster (kills spyware) and MRU-Blaster (removes most recently
used tattleware) and ID-Blaster Plus (removes more tattleware) and Doc
Scrubber (removes MS Word tattleware), etc.

In the case of the JavaCools FileChecker (reports tampering of
important files), it hasn't been updated since September of 2002 so I
can't blame JavaCools for bugs when run in recent WinXP service pack
updates.

Besides, we have not proven that FileChecker CAUSED the problem; all
we know is that removing FileChecker REMOVED the problem. The problem
may have been caused by some other factor (such as my daily use of
CCLeaner or MRU-Blaster registry cleaners).

I guess I could try to reproduce the problem by re-installing
JavaCools FileChecker .... OK ... you talked me into it ... I'll do
that and let you know if it returns.

Lisa

 

[lisa harkema]

Glad to hear that this helped, and thanks for keeping us updated.

Hi Dan,
I hank YOU (and the others who advised me) and I thank both
X-Setup-Pro and JavaCools for allowing me to use their software, free
of charge.

JavaCools makes great stuff.

I did some more testing and found what I think is the problem in the
JavaCools FileChecker program. It doesn't seem to like being installed
into a non-program-files directory.

SOME BACKGROUND:
a) I never install into the "C:\Program Files" directory (ever).
b) Why not?
c) Because it's a royal mess, without any hierarchy, and sorted by
brand name, of all things.

I installed into c:\programs

Without even rebooting, I was able to reproduce the problem.
Can someone else confirm this?
Do this:

1) Download JavaCools FileChecker 1.7 (filecheckersetup.exe)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/filechecker.html

2) DO NOT INSTALL IT INTO PROGRAM FILES
DO NOT INSTALL INTO A FLAT DIRECTORY

3) Install the full installation it into an intelligent hierarchy
such as c:\added\os\FileChecker

Now, the wierd part is that I installed and uninstalled JavaCools
FileChecker about a dozen times in this test, and, near the end, I was
getting DIFFERENT answers than in the beginning. In the end, it always
installed OK into the add/remove programs control panel, even if I did
put it in an intelligent software hierarchy.

So, I think I'd have to say this problem, if not reproduced by you, is
unreproducible (again) by me. Perhaps something that was missing (like
a display icon) was created in one of my tests and now exists where it
did not exist before???

Lisa (a bit more confused than I was before I started this testing)

 

[lisa harkema]

What is this huge blank space and how do I fix this?

I'm top posting so that the next person with the same problem gets the
solution sooner ...

Apparently, a huge blank space (mine is about two feet long) in the
WinXP Add or Remove Programs application is due to three causes:

1. (Verbatim from Kelly's Korner referenced below)
This is generally due to the DisplayIcon having a negative number.
From here you can either remove the negative number or remove the last
application listed: Start/Run/Regedit:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{}

2. (Verbatim from Alan Edwards' post referenced below)
The uninstall keyname for an application is greater than 63
characters.
Solution: Rename the keyname.
e.g. this is invalid
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234]

3. (Verbatim from Alan Edwards' post referenced below)
The DisplayName for the key is greater than 63 characters.
Solution: Shorten DisplayName
e.g. this is invalid
"DisplayName"="1234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234"

*** Note that the invalid entry that can cause this is not necessarily
connected with the ones missing so you must check all entries.

In my particular case, I used "X-Setup Pro" as per Dan (LittleMoo) to
generate an accurate add/remove programs listing which I then compared
to the WinXP add or remove programs listing ... and finding that the
delta was JavaCools' FileChecker v1.7, I simply removed FileChecker
and the problem went away.

Thank you all for your help and I hope this thread helps many others
in the future.

Lisa & Rich

REFERENCES:
http://www.mcse.ms/archive54-2005-2-1425335.html
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_a.htm#ws
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/autocadaddremovefix.zip
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/autodesk-landdesktop3-addremovefix.zip
http://www.x-setup.net/downloads/home.asp (identified the problem)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=266668 (too complicated for me)
http://groups.google.co.in/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/3632fda54259d28e?hl=en&
http://groups.google.com/group/micr...programs+blank+space&rnum=11#d4c4c860b2474284

 

[Lil' Abner]

I think this bug is just like many software bugs in that it happens on
some systems and not on others.

The JavaCools folks (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com) are very well
respected, and, we should keep in mind this is freeware that we THANK
them for allowing us the privilage of using, free of charge.

The software from JavaCools is first rate, first class, and loved by
many. They supply us, free of charge, great programs such as
SpywareBlaster (kills spyware) and MRU-Blaster (removes most recently
used tattleware) and ID-Blaster Plus (removes more tattleware) and Doc
Scrubber (removes MS Word tattleware), etc.

In the case of the JavaCools FileChecker (reports tampering of
important files), it hasn't been updated since September of 2002 so I
can't blame JavaCools for bugs when run in recent WinXP service pack
updates.

Besides, we have not proven that FileChecker CAUSED the problem; all
we know is that removing FileChecker REMOVED the problem. The problem
may have been caused by some other factor (such as my daily use of
CCLeaner or MRU-Blaster registry cleaners).

I guess I could try to reproduce the problem by re-installing
JavaCools FileChecker .... OK ... you talked me into it ... I'll do
that and let you know if it returns.

See http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/Add-Remove-Programs-empty-space-ftopict170295.html
Short version: http://tinyurl.com/khof4

A couple of years ago I sent someone's machine home with the long blank
space still in there because I never could figure it out. But according
to this discussion, there IS a solution.

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

This is what you get by indiscriminately installing flakey
third-party software.
I would never install something called "JavaCool FileChecker" on my
system.

I think this bug is just like many software bugs in that it happens on
some systems and not on others.

The JavaCools folks (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com) are very well
respected, and, we should keep in mind this is freeware that we THANK
them for allowing us the privilage [sic] of using, free of charge.

Horse Manure.

That is the root of the problem. Foolish people see something is FREE!!! --
so they leap before looking and install shoddy freeware, which turns out to
be malware, on their systems.

Fools Reap The Wages Of Sin -- By Installing Shoddy Freeware, Churned Out By
Careless Rampant Pogues, Who Want Gratis Beta Testers.

The software from JavaCools is first rate, first class, and loved by
many. They supply us, free of charge, great programs such as
SpywareBlaster (kills spyware) and MRU-Blaster (removes most recently
used tattleware) and ID-Blaster Plus (removes more tattleware) and Doc
Scrubber (removes MS Word tattleware), etc.

Again, you'd never find me using something from a firm that calls itself
"JavaCools".

In the case of the JavaCools FileChecker (reports tampering of
important files), it hasn't been updated since September of 2002 so I
can't blame JavaCools for bugs when run in recent WinXP service pack
updates.

Right! So you shouldn't have installed it in the First Place.

Duhhhhh!

Besides, we have not proven that FileChecker CAUSED the problem; all
we know is that removing FileChecker REMOVED the problem. The problem
may have been caused by some other factor (such as my daily use of
CCLeaner or MRU-Blaster registry cleaners).

I guess I could try to reproduce the problem by re-installing
JavaCools FileChecker .... OK ... you talked me into it ... I'll do
that and let you know if it returns.

O.K. Good Luck

DSH

 

[D. Spencer Hines]

Glad to hear that this helped, and thanks for keeping us updated.

Hi Dan,
I hank [sic] YOU (and the others who advised me) and I thank both
X-Setup-Pro and JavaCools for allowing me to use their software, free
of charge.

Hilarious!

And your TIME is not worth anything?

The TIME you spent figuring out what the problem was and fixing it.

Meanwhile you were serving as an unpaid beta tester for JavaCools.

VERY Amusing!

P.T. Barnum was right...

DSH

Lux et Veritas et Libertas

Veritas Vos Liberabit

 

[Guest]

Guess what...my brand new Dell has the same thing going on...nearly a foot
and 1/2 of blank space in the middle , except it also has HUGE black bar code
type thingys too. I'm not sure I am adept enough to attempt a removal as
Lisa did...I'm far from being a geek or nerd...lol...guess I'll just live
with it.

This is what you get by indiscriminately installing flakey
third-party software.
I would never install something called "JavaCool FileChecker" on my
system.

I think this bug is just like many software bugs in that it happens on
some systems and not on others.

The JavaCools folks (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com) are very well
respected, and, we should keep in mind this is freeware that we THANK
them for allowing us the privilage [sic] of using, free of charge.

Horse Manure.

That is the root of the problem. Foolish people see something is FREE!!! --
so they leap before looking and install shoddy freeware, which turns out to
be malware, on their systems.

Fools Reap The Wages Of Sin -- By Installing Shoddy Freeware, Churned Out By
Careless Rampant Pogues, Who Want Gratis Beta Testers.

The software from JavaCools is first rate, first class, and loved by
many. They supply us, free of charge, great programs such as
SpywareBlaster (kills spyware) and MRU-Blaster (removes most recently
used tattleware) and ID-Blaster Plus (removes more tattleware) and Doc
Scrubber (removes MS Word tattleware), etc.

Again, you'd never find me using something from a firm that calls itself
"JavaCools".

In the case of the JavaCools FileChecker (reports tampering of
important files), it hasn't been updated since September of 2002 so I
can't blame JavaCools for bugs when run in recent WinXP service pack
updates.

Right! So you shouldn't have installed it in the First Place.

Duhhhhh!

Besides, we have not proven that FileChecker CAUSED the problem; all
we know is that removing FileChecker REMOVED the problem. The problem
may have been caused by some other factor (such as my daily use of
CCLeaner or MRU-Blaster registry cleaners).

I guess I could try to reproduce the problem by re-installing
JavaCools FileChecker .... OK ... you talked me into it ... I'll do
that and let you know if it returns.

O.K. Good Luck

DSH

Lisa

 

[Bob I]

This thread sorts most causes.
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/Add-Remove-Programs-empty-space-ftopict170295.html

Guess what...my brand new Dell has the same thing going on...nearly a foot
and 1/2 of blank space in the middle , except it also has HUGE black bar code
type thingys too. I'm not sure I am adept enough to attempt a removal as
Lisa did...I'm far from being a geek or nerd...lol...guess I'll just live
with it.

:

On Sat, 7 Oct 2006 05:12:03 +0100, "D. Spencer Hines"


This is what you get by indiscriminately installing flakey
third-party software.

I would never install something called "JavaCool FileChecker" on my
system.

I think this bug is just like many software bugs in that it happens on
some systems and not on others.

The JavaCools folks (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com) are very well
respected, and, we should keep in mind this is freeware that we THANK
them for allowing us the privilage [sic] of using, free of charge.

Horse Manure.

That is the root of the problem. Foolish people see something is FREE!!! --
so they leap before looking and install shoddy freeware, which turns out to
be malware, on their systems.

Fools Reap The Wages Of Sin -- By Installing Shoddy Freeware, Churned Out By
Careless Rampant Pogues, Who Want Gratis Beta Testers.

The software from JavaCools is first rate, first class, and loved by
many. They supply us, free of charge, great programs such as
SpywareBlaster (kills spyware) and MRU-Blaster (removes most recently
used tattleware) and ID-Blaster Plus (removes more tattleware) and Doc
Scrubber (removes MS Word tattleware), etc.

Again, you'd never find me using something from a firm that calls itself
"JavaCools".

In the case of the JavaCools FileChecker (reports tampering of
important files), it hasn't been updated since September of 2002 so I
can't blame JavaCools for bugs when run in recent WinXP service pack
updates.

Right! So you shouldn't have installed it in the First Place.

Duhhhhh!

Besides, we have not proven that FileChecker CAUSED the problem; all
we know is that removing FileChecker REMOVED the problem. The problem
may have been caused by some other factor (such as my daily use of
CCLeaner or MRU-Blaster registry cleaners).

I guess I could try to reproduce the problem by re-installing
JavaCools FileChecker .... OK ... you talked me into it ... I'll do
that and let you know if it returns.

O.K. Good Luck

DSH

Lisa

 

[Alec S.]

This thread sorts most causes.
http://forumz.tomshardware.com/software/Add-Remove-Programs-empty-space-ftopict170295.html

I'm not comfortable with a lot of the things written about this issue. There's a lot of misleading guidance.

For one thing, using a negative icon index is valid and Windows uses them in a lot of places.

Second, you don't just up and uninstall a program you use to solve this issue, you fix the issue by correcting the errant registry
entry.

Next, it's not the programs themselves, it was an old version of InnoSetup that had a bug but has long since been fixed.

Most important of all, Microsoft themselves frequently create faulty uninstall entries for Windows updates. I've lost track of the
number of times that JoneSoft Uninstall (the ARP replacement I use) has had problems because some Windows update was missing an
string. I simply add the missing string and everything is fine.

Oh, and just ignore anything that Hines character says, JavaCool is a very good developer who maintains SpywareBlaster (I guess
Hines is either too dense to understand and care about security, or is rich enough-and foolish enough-to think that buying expensive
software is the only way to go-he's quite arrogant and patronizing too.)