Can't Collect Information

[Terry Pinnell]

When I try to run System Information on this XP Home PC, I get the
message "Can't Collect Information
Access denied to Windows Management Instrumentation server on this
computer. Have an administrator change your access permissions."

I *am* the administrator, as it's a sole use system, no network, i.e.
about as simple as they come. Can someone kindly put me on the road to
fixing this please?

 

[Will Denny]

Hi Terry

Is this when trying to run 'msinfo32.exe'? If so, please try the following
link to Kelly's web site:

Line 221 - right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Msinfo32.exe Generates a "Can't Collect Information" Error Message
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;323209

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| When I try to run System Information on this XP Home PC, I get the
| message "Can't Collect Information
| Access denied to Windows Management Instrumentation server on this
| computer. Have an administrator change your access permissions."
|
| I *am* the administrator, as it's a sole use system, no network, i.e.
| about as simple as they come. Can someone kindly put me on the road to
| fixing this please?
| --
| Terry, West Sussex, UK

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Hi Terry

Is this when trying to run 'msinfo32.exe'? If so, please try the following
link to Kelly's web site:

Line 221 - right hand side
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Thanks, but unfortunately, after running that REG file, the problem
remained. On re-running msinfo32.exe, I still got same message:
"Can't Collect Information
Access denied to Windows Management Instrumentation server on this
computer. Have an administrator change your access permissions."

Was the purpose of Kelly's fix to change my access permissions?

BTW, I have not found an explanation of these many handy fixes. I
would undoubtedly use more of them, if only I had more info I what
they do, why they work, precautions to take, etc!

Which 'access permissions' are involved here please? After reading up
the subject, maybe I can attempt it myself (in Safe mode, as
Administrator). But WHERE do I start?

 

[Will Denny]

Thanks, but unfortunately, after running that REG file, the problem
remained. On re-running msinfo32.exe, I still got same message:
"Can't Collect Information
Access denied to Windows Management Instrumentation server on this
computer. Have an administrator change your access permissions."

Was the purpose of Kelly's fix to change my access permissions?

BTW, I have not found an explanation of these many handy fixes. I
would undoubtedly use more of them, if only I had more info I what
they do, why they work, precautions to take, etc!

Which 'access permissions' are involved here please? After reading up
the subject, maybe I can attempt it myself (in Safe mode, as
Administrator). But WHERE do I start?

Hi

Kelly's fix was to restore the msinfo32 function so that you could view the
system information.

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Kelly's fix was to restore the msinfo32 function so that you could view the
system information.

Well, yes, thanks - but obviously my question was *how*?!

As you see, it failed to do its job in my case. So I'd like to better
understand why not.

 

[Terry Pinnell]

Msinfo32.exe Generates a "Can't Collect Information" Error Message
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;323209

Thanks, appreciate the reply. But unfortunately I found that late Tues
night and it didn't resolve the problem.

All 3 of those were and are running OK here, according to my Services
list.

And that KB 259733 is a long and (to me) dauntingly complex page. In
overview it says:
"To resolve these issues, you can configure the service to use the
built-in system account, change the password for the specified user
account to match the current password for that user, or restore the
user's right to log on as a service."

So what does that mean in plain english please?

I'm the only user (Terry, Computer administrator, Password protected),
so I assume the part of the body of the article that is relevant is
that which begins:
"Member Server; If the user is a member of a stand-alone member
server: 1. Start the Local Security Settings MMC snap-in,"

That too means nothing to me! How *do* I start that on XP Home please?