Network Connections/WMI Failure

[Guest]

Hi, I just recently suffered from a rather odd computer malady and was
wondering if anyone could help me figure out what the heck is going on.

First problem: Network Connections is completely empty. It does not display
any connections whatsoever. When I perform a refresh, Windows XP reports
that the Network Connections service is not running. However, when I look at
the Services list, Network Connections reports itself as running and active.
I have tried resetting this service, as well as all other Windows services,
but to no avail. I also consulted the KB article regarding this issue, but
none of the fixes listed worked.

However, on one of the steps I noticed something frighteningly peculiar...
Second problem: Device Manager cannot change any of my hardware settings.
Any time I attempt to uninstall or disable my hardware, Windows XP reports
an error stating that the hardware could not be removed (it suggested that
the device may be vital to the booting process-- my USB wireless adapter is
not vital to my computer's boot sequence, I can assure you that!). I can
still attach new hardware and have it recognize and install itself, but I
cannot control it from Device Manager.

Then I did some investigating and found something VERY peculiar...
Third problem: WMI denied me access. I opened the WMI plugin for MMC to
check the namespace and was denied access to its property pages. I'm an
administrator! Why would I be denied access? Worse still, when I attempted
to run a network diagnostics through the Help and Support Center, it reported
that the WMI failed.

I've never seen anything like this happen before, and I want to avoid having
to repair Windows, especially if it means reinstalling all of my software.
Any ideas out there?

 

[da_test]

Hi, I just recently suffered from a rather odd computer malady and was
wondering if anyone could help me figure out what the heck is going on.

First problem: Network Connections is completely empty. It does not display
any connections whatsoever. When I perform a refresh, Windows XP reports
that the Network Connections service is not running. However, when I look at
the Services list, Network Connections reports itself as running and active.
I have tried resetting this service, as well as all other Windows services,
but to no avail. I also consulted the KB article regarding this issue, but
none of the fixes listed worked.

However, on one of the steps I noticed something frighteningly peculiar...
Second problem: Device Manager cannot change any of my hardware settings.
Any time I attempt to uninstall or disable my hardware, Windows XP reports
an error stating that the hardware could not be removed (it suggested that
the device may be vital to the booting process-- my USB wireless adapter is
not vital to my computer's boot sequence, I can assure you that!). I can
still attach new hardware and have it recognize and install itself, but I
cannot control it from Device Manager.

Then I did some investigating and found something VERY peculiar...
Third problem: WMI denied me access. I opened the WMI plugin for MMC to
check the namespace and was denied access to its property pages. I'm an
administrator! Why would I be denied access? Worse still, when I attempted
to run a network diagnostics through the Help and Support Center, it reported
that the WMI failed.

I've never seen anything like this happen before, and I want to avoid having
to repair Windows, especially if it means reinstalling all of my software.
Any ideas out there?

Here's some things to try
chkdsk c: /f
To cleanup the device manager execute the following commands from a CMD
box
set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1
cd %SystemRoot%\System32
start devmgmt.msc

then when the device manager opens, set view/show hidden devices.
Look for duplicates and errors.

If still no joy, create a new user profile. Give it administrator
auth.
and retry the operations from there.
Dave

 

[Guest]

Well, Device Manager isn't the problem, though. System Information reports
WMI isn't responding, so I think the whole WMI system's gone funny. Is there
a way I can reset namespace permissions, or do I have to reinstall XP?

 

[da_test]

Well, Device Manager isn't the problem, though. System Information reports
WMI isn't responding, so I think the whole WMI system's gone funny. Is there
a way I can reset namespace permissions, or do I have to reinstall XP?

Anyluck ? I would have at least created a test profile (admin rights)
and loged on from there and retried the operation. If it works,
you'll be getting somewhere. If ot, I can't think of anything else
except perhaps a repair install
Dave