Can't Add/Remove Programs

[Guest]

I'm trying to remove several programs that I no longer use from my computer,
but when I go to "add/remove" them all I see are a list of the programs that
are currently installed with no option to remove them. I've checked a couple
FAQ pages that talk about problems with adding and removing programs and the
only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall. I would kind of like to avoid doing this.. Anyone have
suggestions, or know what is actually wrong with my computer?
Thanks

 

[PA Bear]

You select a listing in Add/Remove Programs and the Change or Remove
button(s) aren't available for any of them?

 

[Guest]

yes, that's right. I have no buttons for any of the programs listed.

 

[PA Bear]

Answer a few more diagnostic questions for me, please, Andrea:

1. Can you open Task Manager via the keyboard combination CTRL+ALT+DELETE?

2. Can you open Regedit via Start > Run > (type in) Regedit > [OK]?

3. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center: What status is
reported here for (a) anti-virus, (b) firewall, and (c) Automatic Updates?

4. What anti-virus application do you have installed? Is your subscription
current? Can you update it manually?

5. To the best of your knowledge, is the machine fully patched at Windows
Update?

6. Are you running IE6 or IE7?

7. Are you experiencing any unusual or unwanted behaviors (e.g., links or IE
itself not working; Search not working or misdirecting you; prompts to
install some software; IE opening to unwanted webpages on its own)?

8. Finally, is this Add/Remove Programs behavior a sudden, new problem or an
ongoing one?

 

[Guest]

1. Task manager works via CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
2. Yes, Regedit opens fine
3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here.. I see internet options, windows
firewall, and automatic updates. B. Firewall is turned off. C. Autoupdate is
set to automatic.
4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.
5. As far as I know the computer is fully patched.. I ran an update check
right after I noticed the problem.
6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.
7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no problems
8. As far a I know the problem is sudden, but I haven't tried to change any
of my programs in a while so I'm entirely sure.

Answer a few more diagnostic questions for me, please, Andrea:

1. Can you open Task Manager via the keyboard combination CTRL+ALT+DELETE?

2. Can you open Regedit via Start > Run > (type in) Regedit > [OK]?

3. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center: What status is
reported here for (a) anti-virus, (b) firewall, and (c) Automatic Updates?

4. What anti-virus application do you have installed? Is your subscription
current? Can you update it manually?

5. To the best of your knowledge, is the machine fully patched at Windows
Update?

6. Are you running IE6 or IE7?

7. Are you experiencing any unusual or unwanted behaviors (e.g., links or IE
itself not working; Search not working or misdirecting you; prompts to
install some software; IE opening to unwanted webpages on its own)?

8. Finally, is this Add/Remove Programs behavior a sudden, new problem or an
ongoing one?
--
~PA Bear

yes, that's right. I have no buttons for any of the programs listed.

 

[PA Bear]

More questions, I'm afraid.

3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here...

Security Center should look like this:
http://www.networkuptime.com/winfw/images/windows_security_center.png

Are you telling me that "Virus Protection" [sorry, I said "anti-virus"
before] isn't listed here?

4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.

Norton what (e.g. Norton AntiVirus/NAV 2007; Norton Internet Security/NIS
2006; Norton System Works/NSW 2005; Norton 360)?

Repost: Can you successfully update NAV by running LiveUpdate manually?

6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.

Was NAV running when you installed IE7? In your first post, you wrote,
"...only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall." What led you to that conclusion or supposition?

7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no
problems...

=> Does this behavior persist if you start IE7 in No Add-ons mode? To start
IE7 in No Add-ons mode:

1. Right-click on the blue IE desktop icon and select Start without Add-ons;
or

2. Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer
(No add-ons).

More:

Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer’s (No Add-ons) Mode:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/07/25/678113.aspx

=> Does the problem persist if you Reset IE7 Settings (RIES)?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 <= Read before using!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of the information you posted suggests that you may have a horked
(dirty; bad; compromised) install of IE7, but I can't imagine this would
cause what you're seeing in Add/Remove Programs, Andrea. **Please do NOT
attempt to uninstall IE7 just yet: I'll have some tips for you if we get
that far.**

[We can take this conversation to AumHa Forums, if you'd like. If so,
please begin a new thread in this forum and cite this newsgroup thread in
your first post: http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=62 ]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

1. Task manager works via CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
2. Yes, Regedit opens fine
3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here.. I see internet options, windows
firewall, and automatic updates. B. Firewall is turned off. C. Autoupdate
is
set to automatic.
4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.
5. As far as I know the computer is fully patched.. I ran an update check
right after I noticed the problem.
6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.
7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no
problems
8. As far a I know the problem is sudden, but I haven't tried to change
any
of my programs in a while so I'm entirely sure.

Answer a few more diagnostic questions for me, please, Andrea:

1. Can you open Task Manager via the keyboard combination
CTRL+ALT+DELETE?

2. Can you open Regedit via Start > Run > (type in) Regedit > [OK]?

3. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center: What status is
reported here for (a) anti-virus, (b) firewall, and (c) Automatic
Updates?

4. What anti-virus application do you have installed? Is your
subscription
current? Can you update it manually?

5. To the best of your knowledge, is the machine fully patched at Windows
Update?

6. Are you running IE6 or IE7?

7. Are you experiencing any unusual or unwanted behaviors (e.g., links or
IE itself not working; Search not working or misdirecting you; prompts to
install some software; IE opening to unwanted webpages on its own)?

8. Finally, is this Add/Remove Programs behavior a sudden, new problem or
an ongoing one?
--
~PA Bear

yes, that's right. I have no buttons for any of the programs listed.

:

You select a listing in Add/Remove Programs and the Change or Remove
button(s) aren't available for any of them?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Andrea wrote:
I'm trying to remove several programs that I no longer use from my
computer,
but when I go to "add/remove" them all I see are a list of the
programs
that
are currently installed with no option to remove them. I've checked a
couple
FAQ pages that talk about problems with adding and removing programs
and
the
only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall. I would kind of like to avoid doing this.. Anyone
have
suggestions, or know what is actually wrong with my computer?
Thanks

 

[Guest]

3. Security Center should look like this:

http://www.networkuptime.com/winfw/images/windows_security_center.png

Are you telling me that "Virus Protection" [sorry, I said "anti-virus"
before] isn't listed here?

It doesn't look like that. I can see security essentials and the text
directly below that and then it shows "manage security essential for:" and
the rest of the page, but there is no status that shows firewall, automatic
updates, or virus protection.

4. Norton what (e.g. Norton AntiVirus/NAV 2007; Norton Internet Security/NIS
2006; Norton System Works/NSW 2005; Norton 360)?

Repost: Can you successfully update NAV by running LiveUpdate manually?

sorry.. I have Norton Internet Security. I'm not sure what year ('06 I
think) and I'm not sure where to find that info. Yes I can manually update by
running LiveUpdate.

Was NAV running when you installed IE7? In your first post, you wrote,
"...only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall." What led you to that conclusion or supposition?

To be honest, not a lot. I just can't think of anything else that could be
the problem. I installed IE7 as an update from the internet, not from a disk
and I don't recall having problems before I installed it. I've just restarted
my computer again andthere is an error message that pops up when I shut down
my computer (this is not new I just forgot about it). It occurs right after
the programs have been shut down, on a black screen. it says something like
"memory could not be written" and then the computer continues to shut down.

7. => Does this behavior persist if you start IE7 in No Add-ons mode? To start
IE7 in No Add-ons mode:

No, it doesn't happen with the add-ons turned off.

~Andrea

--

More questions, I'm afraid.

3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here...

Security Center should look like this:
http://www.networkuptime.com/winfw/images/windows_security_center.png

Are you telling me that "Virus Protection" [sorry, I said "anti-virus"
before] isn't listed here?

4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.

Norton what (e.g. Norton AntiVirus/NAV 2007; Norton Internet Security/NIS
2006; Norton System Works/NSW 2005; Norton 360)?

Repost: Can you successfully update NAV by running LiveUpdate manually?

6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.

Was NAV running when you installed IE7? In your first post, you wrote,
"...only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall." What led you to that conclusion or supposition?

7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no
problems...

=> Does this behavior persist if you start IE7 in No Add-ons mode? To start
IE7 in No Add-ons mode:

1. Right-click on the blue IE desktop icon and select Start without Add-ons;
or

2. Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet Explorer
(No add-ons).

More:

Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer’s (No Add-ons) Mode:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/07/25/678113.aspx

=> Does the problem persist if you Reset IE7 Settings (RIES)?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 <= Read before using!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of the information you posted suggests that you may have a horked
(dirty; bad; compromised) install of IE7, but I can't imagine this would
cause what you're seeing in Add/Remove Programs, Andrea. **Please do NOT
attempt to uninstall IE7 just yet: I'll have some tips for you if we get
that far.**

[We can take this conversation to AumHa Forums, if you'd like. If so,
please begin a new thread in this forum and cite this newsgroup thread in
your first post: http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=62 ]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

1. Task manager works via CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
2. Yes, Regedit opens fine
3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here.. I see internet options, windows
firewall, and automatic updates. B. Firewall is turned off. C. Autoupdate
is
set to automatic.
4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.
5. As far as I know the computer is fully patched.. I ran an update check
right after I noticed the problem.
6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.
7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no
problems
8. As far a I know the problem is sudden, but I haven't tried to change
any
of my programs in a while so I'm entirely sure.

Answer a few more diagnostic questions for me, please, Andrea:

1. Can you open Task Manager via the keyboard combination
CTRL+ALT+DELETE?

2. Can you open Regedit via Start > Run > (type in) Regedit > [OK]?

3. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center: What status is
reported here for (a) anti-virus, (b) firewall, and (c) Automatic
Updates?

4. What anti-virus application do you have installed? Is your
subscription
current? Can you update it manually?

5. To the best of your knowledge, is the machine fully patched at Windows
Update?

6. Are you running IE6 or IE7?

7. Are you experiencing any unusual or unwanted behaviors (e.g., links or
IE itself not working; Search not working or misdirecting you; prompts to
install some software; IE opening to unwanted webpages on its own)?

8. Finally, is this Add/Remove Programs behavior a sudden, new problem or
an ongoing one?
--
~PA Bear


Andrea wrote:
yes, that's right. I have no buttons for any of the programs listed.

:

You select a listing in Add/Remove Programs and the Change or Remove
button(s) aren't available for any of them?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Andrea wrote:
I'm trying to remove several programs that I no longer use from my
computer,
but when I go to "add/remove" them all I see are a list of the
programs
that
are currently installed with no option to remove them. I've checked a
couple
FAQ pages that talk about problems with adding and removing programs
and
the
only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall. I would kind of like to avoid doing this.. Anyone
have
suggestions, or know what is actually wrong with my computer?
Thanks

 

[PA Bear]

Thread continues here: http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28309

Please post all follow-up to the above thread. Thank you.
--
~PA Bear

3. Security Center should look like this:
http://www.networkuptime.com/winfw/images/windows_security_center.png

Are you telling me that "Virus Protection" [sorry, I said "anti-virus"
before] isn't listed here?

It doesn't look like that. I can see security essentials and the text
directly below that and then it shows "manage security essential for:" and
the rest of the page, but there is no status that shows firewall,
automatic
updates, or virus protection.

4. Norton what (e.g. Norton AntiVirus/NAV 2007; Norton Internet
Security/NIS 2006; Norton System Works/NSW 2005; Norton 360)?

Repost: Can you successfully update NAV by running LiveUpdate manually?

sorry.. I have Norton Internet Security. I'm not sure what year ('06 I
think) and I'm not sure where to find that info. Yes I can manually update
by running LiveUpdate.

Was NAV running when you installed IE7? In your first post, you wrote,
"...only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall." What led you to that conclusion or supposition?

To be honest, not a lot. I just can't think of anything else that could be
the problem. I installed IE7 as an update from the internet, not from a
disk
and I don't recall having problems before I installed it. I've just
restarted my computer again andthere is an error message that pops up when
I shut down my computer (this is not new I just forgot about it). It
occurs
right after the programs have been shut down, on a black screen. it says
something like "memory could not be written" and then the computer
continues to shut down.

7. => Does this behavior persist if you start IE7 in No Add-ons mode?
To
start IE7 in No Add-ons mode:

No, it doesn't happen with the add-ons turned off.

~Andrea

More questions, I'm afraid.

3. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center: What status is
reported here for (a) anti-virus, (b) firewall, and (c) Automatic
Updates?

3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here...

Security Center should look like this:
http://www.networkuptime.com/winfw/images/windows_security_center.png

Are you telling me that "Virus Protection" [sorry, I said "anti-virus"
before] isn't listed here?

4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.

Norton what (e.g. Norton AntiVirus/NAV 2007; Norton Internet Security/NIS
2006; Norton System Works/NSW 2005; Norton 360)?

Repost: Can you successfully update NAV by running LiveUpdate manually?

6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.

Was NAV running when you installed IE7? In your first post, you wrote,
"...only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall." What led you to that conclusion or supposition?

7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no
problems...

=> Does this behavior persist if you start IE7 in No Add-ons mode? To
start IE7 in No Add-ons mode:

1. Right-click on the blue IE desktop icon and select Start without
Add-ons; or

2. Start > (All) Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet
Explorer
(No add-ons).

More:

Troubleshooting and Internet Explorer’s (No Add-ons) Mode:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2006/07/25/678113.aspx

=> Does the problem persist if you Reset IE7 Settings (RIES)?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737 <= Read before using!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of the information you posted suggests that you may have a horked
(dirty; bad; compromised) install of IE7, but I can't imagine this would
cause what you're seeing in Add/Remove Programs, Andrea. **Please do NOT
attempt to uninstall IE7 just yet: I'll have some tips for you if we get
that far.**

[We can take this conversation to AumHa Forums, if you'd like. If so,
please begin a new thread in this forum and cite this newsgroup thread in
your first post: http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=62 ]
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

1. Task manager works via CTRL+ALT+DELETE.
2. Yes, Regedit opens fine
3. a. Anti-virus doesn't show up here.. I see internet options, windows
firewall, and automatic updates. B. Firewall is turned off. C.
Autoupdate
is
set to automatic.
4. I have norton. The subscription is current and updated.
5. As far as I know the computer is fully patched.. I ran an update
check
right after I noticed the problem.
6. I run IE7 but I also have Firefox.. if that makes any difference.
7. I get a runtime error everytime I close IE but other than that no
problems
8. As far a I know the problem is sudden, but I haven't tried to change
any
of my programs in a while so I'm entirely sure.


:
Answer a few more diagnostic questions for me, please, Andrea:

1. Can you open Task Manager via the keyboard combination
CTRL+ALT+DELETE?

2. Can you open Regedit via Start > Run > (type in) Regedit > [OK]?

3. Start > Settings > Control Panel > Security Center: What status is
reported here for (a) anti-virus, (b) firewall, and (c) Automatic
Updates?

4. What anti-virus application do you have installed? Is your
subscription
current? Can you update it manually?

5. To the best of your knowledge, is the machine fully patched at
Windows
Update?

6. Are you running IE6 or IE7?

7. Are you experiencing any unusual or unwanted behaviors (e.g., links
or
IE itself not working; Search not working or misdirecting you; prompts
to
install some software; IE opening to unwanted webpages on its own)?

8. Finally, is this Add/Remove Programs behavior a sudden, new problem
or
an ongoing one?
--
~PA Bear


Andrea wrote:
yes, that's right. I have no buttons for any of the programs listed.

:

You select a listing in Add/Remove Programs and the Change or Remove
button(s) aren't available for any of them?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Andrea wrote:
I'm trying to remove several programs that I no longer use from my
computer,
but when I go to "add/remove" them all I see are a list of the
programs
that
are currently installed with no option to remove them. I've checked
a
couple
FAQ pages that talk about problems with adding and removing programs
and
the
only thing that makes sense is that I have a bug in IE and need to
uninstall/reinstall. I would kind of like to avoid doing this..
Anyone
have
suggestions, or know what is actually wrong with my computer?
Thanks