Problems with Microsoft Management Console

[Guest]

Lately I am blocked from using certain programs like Defrag and accessing
Device Manager. I get an error message as follows:

Microsoft Management Console (in the blue bar on top)

(red circle with white X through it) MMC cannot open the file
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\(name of file)

This may be because the file does not exist, is not an MMC console, or was
created by a later version of MMC. This may also be because you do not have
sufficient access rights to the file.

I am logged on with my main user name (the first one created, with master
access) and the files are on my computer (defrag, device manager etc.) when I
look through My Computer. And yet no matter how many times I try to access
them, I get absolutely nothing but that same error messages.

Does anyone know how to fix this? I have Windows XP Pro with SP 2 installed.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Check the setting on these two policies.

Restrict users to the explicitly permitted list of snap-ins
http://www.boyce.us/gp/gpcontent.asp?ID=572

Restrict the user from entering author mode
http://www.boyce.us/gp/gpcontent.asp?ID=571

Or,,,

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.

296. Lift MMC/GPEDIT Snap-In Restrictions

312. Right hand side
Restrict Author Mode in MMC

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Hi Wesley,

I went into the registry and made sure my master user name had full
permissions for both snap-ins and entering author mode, and rebooted twice.
Tried to access Defrag and got the exact same error message:

"Microsoft Management Console (in the blue bar on top)

(red circle with white X through it) MMC cannot open the file
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\(name of file)

This may be because the file does not exist, is not an MMC console, or was
created by a later version of MMC. This may also be because you do not have
sufficient access rights to the file. "

So, in short.... I did what you suggested and it just doesn't work. The
error message still comes up and I am still absolutely blocked from using any
program that involves calling up an .msc file.

Alan G.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Alan,

Here is an MSKB article that has your exact error message...
You receive a “Cannot open <Snap-in Name>” error message when you try to
start MMC on a Windows XP-based computer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=326574

%APPDATA% folder should be
%USERPROFILE%\Application Data
or
C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name Here\Application Data

To see, paste %APPDATA% into the Start | Run box and click OK.

Here is an article about how to...
Reset the Shell Folders paths to defaults
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm

In the mean time, or if the above doesn't help.

There are two defrag tools in XP.

dfrg.msc is the pretty one that opens from
Start\All Programs\Accessories\System Tools.

defrag.exe is the command line tool that runs from the command prompt. You
can probably run defrag.exe.

Open a command prompt...
Start | run | Type: cmd | Click OK |
For help on defrag, in the command prompt window type:

defrag /?

Hit your Enter key.

Here's the skinny on
Defrag
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/defrag.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Hi Wesley...I followed your instructions to open defrag thru
Start...run...type cmd....ok...I typed in defrag /? I hit the enter key
then what is to happen...what do I put in next. I have windows XP home.
Thankyou

 

[Wesley Vogel]

defrag /? displays help for defrag.

If you want to defrag c: using the command prompt, type this and hit
Enter...

defrag c: /f

Here's the skinny on
Defrag
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/defrag.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In