MMC Question

[M8RIX]

Greetings All,
Occasionally I will right click on "My Computer", wanting to open the
computer management console by selecting "Manage", but nothing will happen.
I have to reboot the computer to access the computer management features. I
thought if I typed MMC.exe into the run box I would be able to open it that
way without having to reboot. However, when I go that route a different
management console opens up called "Console 1" with a single empty folder
showing called "Console Root".
When I am able to open Computer Management after a reboot and I type
MMC.exe into the run box, I get the same Console 1 opened up. At this point
if I look at processes in Task Manager, I will see 2 instances of MMC.exe
running. I have noticed that they have different PID numbers
(Console 1 is #2832 and Computer Management is #1396).
I guess I have two questions.
1) Why would I be unable to access Computer Management by right click on "My
Computer" and selecting "Manage"?
2) Is there a different way to access the Computer Management Console other
than Right Click>Manage?
Bonus Questions:
How can I determine which PID will open when I type MMC.exe into the Run
box? & Can I get to Computer Management from the Console 1 window?

System:
Windows XP
Media Center Edition, Version 2002, SP2

Awaiting all replies,

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Start/run compmgmt.msc to open the snap-in you want. As to why it sometimes
doesn't work by right clicking on "My Computer", the first thing I'd check
for is interference from background applications (particularly your av
product).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[R. McCarty]

Create your own customized Console. Just run Mmc.Exe - size
and position it. Then Click File, Add/Remove Snap-In(s). Once
you have it configured to your liking, Click File "Save As" pick a
destination and name, such as MyConsole.Msc. Then create a
shortcut to it and place on Quicklaunch or wherever is convenient.
I use this method to be able to modify Event Log filtering and a
few other customizations that can't be retained with the default
Console view.

Hi,

Start/run compmgmt.msc to open the snap-in you want. As to why it
sometimes doesn't work by right clicking on "My Computer", the first thing
I'd check for is interference from background applications (particularly
your av product).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[M8RIX]

Excellent!
Thank you both for the advice.