Cannot open "User Accounts" from Control Panel

[CatThief]

I am running XP Pro (SP2) as administrator and can use every available
tool except for one - "User Accounts" from the Control Panel. I am thinking
there is a problem with the file that generates the display of the User
Accounts page because I am still able to access user accounts from the
"Local Users and Groups" section inside the Computer Management
window.

Here's what happens... as soon as I click on the Control Panel link for
User Accounts an error message pops up that reads:

"The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect."
Then Notepad opens with a blank page behind the error message popup.

Perhaps there is a corrupt file somewhere that I can replace? Or maybe a
registry entry somewhere needs to be changes? I Googled on this and
even searched the MS Knowledge base and came up with nothing. I
would be most grateful if anyone knows what is going on.

Regards,
CatThief

 

[CatThief]

CatThief wrote...

I am running XP Pro (SP2) as administrator and can use every available
tool except for one - "User Accounts" from the Control Panel. I am thinking
there is a problem with the file that generates the display of the User
Accounts page because I am still able to access user accounts from the
"Local Users and Groups" section inside the Computer Management
window.

Here's what happens... as soon as I click on the Control Panel link for
User Accounts an error message pops up that reads:

"The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect."
Then Notepad opens with a blank page behind the error message popup.

Perhaps there is a corrupt file somewhere that I can replace? Or maybe a
registry entry somewhere needs to be changes? I Googled on this and
even searched the MS Knowledge base and came up with nothing. I
would be most grateful if anyone knows what is going on.

Update: I found the applet file that controls User Accounts - nusrmgr.cpl -
and when I doubleclick on it the same thing occurs, so it must be a
problem with whatever files that applet uses.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi CatThief,

What happens when you run the mshta.exe file present in this folder:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\

If Notepad opens when you open mshta.exe, it may be caused by a security
software that you've installed, in a attempt to block the HTA scripts
running in your system. Extracting a new copy of mshta.exe should help.

 

[CatThief]

Ramesh, MS-MVP said...

Hi CatThief,

What happens when you run the mshta.exe file present in this folder:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\

If Notepad opens when you open mshta.exe, it may be caused by a security
software that you've installed, in a attempt to block the HTA scripts
running in your system. Extracting a new copy of mshta.exe should help.

Sorry for the late reply. Thanks, Ramesh, I'll keep this advice in my
information database. Drastic as it may sound, I decided to format
drive C and go with a fresh install of XP. It solved the problem plus
now I have the added benefit of improved performance and unneeded files.
But it sure was a job getting things back to my liking!!!!! <grin>

Regards,
CatThief

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome CatThief.