Add/remove: Please wait while the list is being populated

[Gary Karasik]

Hi,

Dell XP/SP2 workstation member of an SBS2K3/SP2 domain: When openins the
"Add or Remove Programs" applet, the applet indefinitely displays "Please
wait while the list is being populated...."

I have already tried REGSVR32 APPWIZ.CPL.

Next step, please?

 

[Brian A.]

Hi,

Dell XP/SP2 workstation member of an SBS2K3/SP2 domain: When openins the "Add or
Remove Programs" applet, the applet indefinitely displays "Please wait while the
list is being populated...."

I have already tried REGSVR32 APPWIZ.CPL.

Next step, please?

There is no next step unless it doesn't populate. The message "Please wait while
the list is being populated...." is not a problem with the system, it's normal and
the more the user has installed the longer it will take to populate the list.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Gary Karasik]

It didn't populate after forty-five minutes.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Gary,

Is your system connected to a network, by chance? If so, what happens if you disable the network card temporarily, and run the Add or Remove Programs applet?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


It didn't populate after forty-five minutes.

 

[Brian A.]

That's a bit tooooo looooong.
Do you have any background apps running that may be interfering with it? Try
shutting down any non-essential applications before running Add/Remove Programs to
see if things speed up. If it does, then one or more of the apps you shut down are
the problem or at least a part of it.
If it has a minimal pickup in population speed, boot to Safe Mode to run it and see
if it runs a bit better.
If it populates as expected you need to take a good look at what's really causing
the issue, Safe Mode loads the minimal amount of drivers and software that Windows
needs to operate.
The first thing you should do is check the system for anything that may be
installed without your knowledge that shouldn't be. If all goes well the next step
is to check which of your apps and/or hardware "may" be causing the problem.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/en-us

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434/en-us

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/en-us

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Gary Karasik]

Same problem in Safe mode.

--

GaryK

That's a bit tooooo looooong.
Do you have any background apps running that may be interfering with it?
Try shutting down any non-essential applications before running Add/Remove
Programs to see if things speed up. If it does, then one or more of the
apps you shut down are the problem or at least a part of it.
If it has a minimal pickup in population speed, boot to Safe Mode to run
it and see if it runs a bit better.
If it populates as expected you need to take a good look at what's really
causing the issue, Safe Mode loads the minimal amount of drivers and
software that Windows needs to operate.
The first thing you should do is check the system for anything that may
be installed without your knowledge that shouldn't be. If all goes well
the next step is to check which of your apps and/or hardware "may" be
causing the problem.

How to perform a clean boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353/en-us

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434/en-us

How to troubleshoot by using the System Configuration utility in Windows
XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310560/en-us

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Gary Karasik]

Same problem with NIC disabled.

--

GaryK


Gary,

Is your system connected to a network, by chance? If so, what happens if you
disable the network card temporarily, and run the Add or Remove Programs
applet?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


It didn't populate after forty-five minutes.

 

[gmanjoe]

Check your virtual memory size and the amount of physical memory installed.

physical mem,
right click my computer, click properties. you should see it displayed on the lower right in the general tab. (xxxmb of RAM) i wouldnt run it with less than 512mb but 1gb is good.

virtual mem
right click my computer, click properties, click advanced tab,click the settings button in the performance area, click advanced tab, what is virtual mem size. ( if you have 512 mb physical mem and 80gb of Hard drive space, this number should be around 1gb or more. note that this uses free hard drive space to act as physical memory)

Memory is where your computer compiles information before it is displayed to you. Maybe you need more?
See if it helps