OT: How to correct inetcpl.cpl error? [m.p.i.g]

[aeroloose]

All,

I started a thread in another newsgroup for IE, but I'd like
to get this group's thoughts on solutions to the problem.
The original post and threads are located at:

microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general 9/14/2013 6:00 PM

Original post below:
[---
I've just started getting "inetcpl.cpl" error messages when
accessing IE8 Tools > Internet Options (operation has been
cancelled ...) and exiting IE8 (error loading c:\windows
....) in WinXP SP3. I've tried the MS fixes without success.
The file, dated 08-08-13, does exist in
c:\windows\system32, but won't open from there, nor will it
run from the "Run" box.

Any ideas on how to repair / replace this file? I'm
attempting to avoid the complicated .cab file extraction
method, or an uninstall / re-install of IE8.

Thanks for any suggestions.
---]

Per Paul's suggestion, here are various links to the post
and follow-up threads:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general/9LTeopN5VOw

<[email protected]>

http://al.howardknight.net/msgid.cgi?STYPE=msgid&A=0&MSGI=<[email protected]>

I believe we've eliminated the typical IE "policies /
permissions" causes. Now I'd like to ask for other ideas /
diagnostics to resolve it.

Thanks.

 

[Ben Myers]

All,
I started a thread in another newsgroup for IE, but I'd like
to get this group's thoughts on solutions to the problem.
The original post and threads are located at:
microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general 9/14/2013 6:00 PM
Original post below:
I've just started getting "inetcpl.cpl" error messages when
accessing IE8 Tools > Internet Options (operation has been
cancelled ...) and exiting IE8 (error loading c:\windows
...) in WinXP SP3. I've tried the MS fixes without success.
The file, dated 08-08-13, does exist in
c:\windows\system32, but won't open from there, nor will it
run from the "Run" box.
Any ideas on how to repair / replace this file? I'm
attempting to avoid the complicated .cab file extraction
method, or an uninstall / re-install of IE8.
Thanks for any suggestions.

<snip>

Possibly a failed KB2870699 update. You might try uninstalling, then reinstalling.

Uninstall info
C:\WINDOWS\ie8updates\KB2870699-IE8\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Update link
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...8CBC0C554/IE8-WindowsXP-KB2870699-x86-ENU.exe

Ben

 

[aeroloose]

<snip>

Possibly a failed KB2870699 update. You might try uninstalling, then reinstalling.

Uninstall info
C:\WINDOWS\ie8updates\KB2870699-IE8\spuninst\spuninst.exe

Update link
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...8CBC0C554/IE8-WindowsXP-KB2870699-x86-ENU.exe

Ben

OK, gave it a try, but had some scary consequences. The KB
uninstaller hung at some point, loading the CPU at 100%, and
stayed there for 30 minutes. I tried to re-start the
uninstaller and even attempted to run the new update, but
they both recognized the hung process and refused to run. I
couldn't even kill "spuninst" in Task Manager. So, I killed
the power, aware that I risked frying the system. Luckily,
when I restarted, I was prompted to try a prior restore
point, which worked. Went to Windows Update (I update
manually), and it showed the update as available for
installation, which I interpreted to mean the uninstaller
actually did its work. I selected it and and it completed.
However, after all that, the problem still remains. Whew!

 

[Ben Myers]

OK, gave it a try, but had some scary consequences. The KB
uninstaller hung at some point, loading the CPU at 100%, and
stayed there for 30 minutes. I tried to re-start the
uninstaller and even attempted to run the new update, but
they both recognized the hung process and refused to run. I
couldn't even kill "spuninst" in Task Manager. So, I killed
the power, aware that I risked frying the system. Luckily,
when I restarted, I was prompted to try a prior restore
point, which worked. Went to Windows Update (I update
manually), and it showed the update as available for
installation, which I interpreted to mean the uninstaller
actually did its work. I selected it and and it completed.
However, after all that, the problem still remains. Whew!

Try a fresh copy of "C:\Windows\System32\control.exe". On my system, all I
have to do is rename the file and Windows automatically replaces it with a new one.

Ben

 

[aeroloose]

Try a fresh copy of "C:\Windows\System32\control.exe". On my system, all I
have to do is rename the file and Windows automatically replaces it with a new one.

Ben

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try it this weekend.

 

[aeroloose]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try it this weekend.

Gave it a try, and XP behaved as you expected, but no joy.
It remains a mystery. Looks like the remaining "fix" to
attempt (w/o guarantee) is an uninstall / reinstall of IE8.
That cure is worse than the disease, so I'll defer that
until IE8 becomes unmanageable.

Thanks to all for suggestions.