SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

[Vern Linard]

I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC), seemed
like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update and did the
rest.

BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES


NETWORK
1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it gave me
only one strange tab
and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,
2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

SYSTEM
Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE TAB!!

Internet Explorer 7
I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to install an
ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it
it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not allow
install of active X"
I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but whatever
i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on IE7 about
security problems with active X

I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that
everything there would have its settings default..

but even there I could not install active X


why are all these problems happening???????

it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions of XP
PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the group policy
editor???

I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg
that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this tool.
but why did this get disabled by SP2??

This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try
things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it
... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please help!

 

[Vern Linard]

I must add that before I noticed all these problems, I had to change the
name of the workgroup from something else, to WORKGROU in my effort to make
this computer share folders over the network with a laptop...

Im mentioning this because I read somewhere about domains and restrictions..
I have no idea
about this

 

[Vern Linard]

oh and something else.. I downloaded a program system information (called
SIW), and tried to run it, but nothing happened when I was double clicking
on its icon!!!

seems like somehow I was limited into runing this app for some reason.. it
was downloaded correctly for sure.. that was not the prob..


thanks

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
SP2 upgrade add many security features.
You have to check the Firewall permission/exemptions, and read carefully the
configuration options of IE7.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wscintro.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...DA-6021-468E-A8CF-AF4AFE4C84B2&displaylang=en
Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

[Vern Linard]

I know this stuff already... they have nothing to do with my problems

I have used SP on my OWN computer since it came out....

this strange thing is different

 

[MAP]

I know this stuff already... they have nothing to do with my problems

I have used SP on my OWN computer since it came out....

this strange thing is different

Nothing like copping an attitude to get the help you are asking for.

 

[Vern Linard]

I am only explaining that the information is not related to the problem...

there is no attitude problem here...

any information that is relative to the problem is welcome

 

[RJK]

Casting my eye through your post, it strikes me that you shouldn't be trying
to "fix" a frends PC unless you have a VERY good idea of what you're doing,
and plenty of time to resolve problems which can surface. It's my
experience that aged XP platforms often need lots of tidying up | several
malware sweeps, (usually impractical on-site because of the time they take)
| then a repair install | ...then apply the service pack & harden up for
internet if appropriate etc.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

regards, Richard

....and you did seem to be "copping an attitude," ...with that "...I know
all this..."

 

[Mick Murphy]

The only proper way to install SP2 is to install it after a clean install of
XPSP1 disk.
Do it any other way, you are asking for trouble; as you have found out!

You can huff and puff as much as you like; I run a business building and
repairing computers.
And why are you installing XP's SP2 this many years down the track!
XP has not just been put on that computer!And you did notput it on!

 

[DrTeeth]

I am only explaining that the information is not related to the problem...[snip]
any information that is relative to the problem is welcome

If you are in a position to be able to tell which bit of info is
pertinent to your problem, you don't need any help.

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I am only explaining that the information is not related to the
problem...[snip] any information that is relative to the problem is
welcome

If you are in a position to be able to tell which bit of info is
pertinent to your problem, you don't need any help.

Jaysus, all of you, give the guy a break, and re-read the original post.
He's helping out a friend with his computer. If you've got a lot of extra
aggression to work out, why don't you go do some yard chores?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

My reply is at the bottom of your message.

I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC),
seemed like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update
and did the rest.

BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES


NETWORK
1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it
gave me only one strange tab
and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,
2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

SYSTEM
Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE
TAB!!
Internet Explorer 7
I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to
install an ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it
it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not
allow install of active X"
I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but
whatever i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on
IE7 about security problems with active X

I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that
everything there would have its settings default..

but even there I could not install active X


why are all these problems happening???????

it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions
of XP PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the
group policy editor???

I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg
that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this
tool. but why did this get disabled by SP2??

This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try
things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it
... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please
help!

As someone else posted, stepping in to fix up a computer that's been used
for a long time by non-tech-savvy home users, is always dangerous. What I
prefer to do in a situation like this is to tell the friend that I'll back
up their data and cleanly reinstall Windows, etc., and show them how to keep
it that way - making sure they have decent antivirus protection, antispyware
tools, and automatic updates. At this point, as you aren't in front of the
computer, it's hard to give you much advice for troubleshooting, especially
as you haven't noted anything you saw in your event logs.

When you get back in front of the computer, you might try doing a system
restore to a time before you began, and try things one at a time. First scan
for malware/viruses. Install SP2 first, alone. See if everything looks
OK.(Device Manager can be accessed via control panel | system). Get the
latest device drivers from the hardware manufacturer, and install them. See
how it goes from there.

If the computer was part of a domain previously, note that there are all
sorts of other security shards/whatnot that can lurk in the background. Your
friend should know whether he/she needs to belong to a domain - it's
unlikely unless this is a company-owned computer, though.

Recap - the quickest solution is usually a complete clean reinstall.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html will help.

Also remember that people in here are volunteering their time to try to help
you, so even if you don't like or want their advice, a polite "thank you,
but..." is always in order. Or, a simple "thank you."

Best o' luck...

 

[Vern Linard]

Can group policies do this? and restrict some functions?
How can I know if that computer was in a domain in the past?

If I do a system restore ( I made a restore point before) will that brin
everything to its prior condition?

I did the SP2 AND windows update afterwards so a lot of stuff was installed

 

[Daave]

Can group policies do this? and restrict some functions?

Can group policies do *what*?

Although it's always a good idea to snip superfluous information, you
have snipped the *entire* post of the person you are replying to! This
makes it more difficult for people to follow. So, in order to maximize
the quantity and quality of responses to your post, you should be sure
to include the part of the post you are replying to.

 

[Vern Linard]

there was nothing to retain from the person I am posting back to..

when I say "this" I mean the anomalous behaviour I explained in my original
post....

 

[Vern Linard]

the computer was in an office in the past, that MIGHT have been in a
domain.. yes

She however now has this computer home, and she has no idea if she was or
was not in a domain....
She is only a simple user of PCs.

Do you know how I can find out if this pc was in a domain, and how to
reverse the effects?

Is there a way to RESET all the settings to default?

And another question.. ok say that this pc was in a domain, why did these
restrictions "wake up" only after installing SP2? I remember accessing the
network settings before I installed sp2.

I can clean install yes.. but I would try to figure it out before I do a
clean install...
anyway sp3 is just around the corner... and I cant wait for that...
If I was to do a real clean install I would slipstream sp3 too... lol

Thanks for your help.. it seems you are the only one here who can help me...




"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Can group policies do this?

Do what? (see "snipping" comment below)

and restrict some functions?

Yes, but that doesn't explain the problems you're having now.

How can I know if that computer was in a domain in the past?

You can't, at least not easily. And even if you could, that isn't the
problem here. It could be a problem down the road.

If I do a system restore ( I made a restore point before) will that
brin everything to its prior condition?

Should do.

I did the SP2 AND windows update afterwards so a lot of stuff was
installed

Seriously, I suggest you back up the data now and follow my suggestion for
a clean reinstall. That's the first thing that should be done when someone
inherits a PC, in my opinion. You'll spend a lot less time on this project
if you just do that.

And also, the other poster is correct - snipping out *all* of the previous
text makes it impossible to follow this thread. Snip judiciously, when
length dictates it. Replying inline will make this easy for everyone.

 

[Vern Linard]

I know how to do clean installs and I do prefer that. I would like to give
it a last try before
I tell that I will have to format and do all that to her computer...

Your advice is to do clean installs whenever a sp comes out? You and me are
geeks we format pcs just for the heck of it,
but most people try to avoid formating.. I know people that still are
running the original install of XP rtm that came with the computer
in 2002 and have done all the updates via windows update.

why does MS push SP's via windows update then? ...

And in a month or so when SP3 comes out, should I format and do another
clean install?

I dont want to do a clean install yet... I will try to fix this problem
myself as I usually do with
100% positive results. I will try in a couple days again after reproducing
the restrictions I saw
there on a virtual machine. I will post the solutions here in case others
have the same problem.

Thanks for trying...

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I know how to do clean installs and I do prefer that. I would like to
give it a last try before
I tell that I will have to format and do all that to her computer...

Your advice is to do clean installs whenever a sp comes out?

No. You are not paying attention.

You do a clean install when you're working with a computer that has been
unpatched and used by a home user and was a hand-me-down from their
workplace anyway - you have a machine that is a mess already, so it doesn't
make a lot of sense to invest time and effort in going through it
methodically with tweezers for hours, when a simple clean reinstall will
give the end user what he or she really wants - which is a working computer.

You and
me are geeks we format pcs just for the heck of it,

Stuff and nonsense! I'm far too lazy and practical.

but most people try to avoid formating.. I know people that still are
running the original install of XP rtm that came with the computer
in 2002 and have done all the updates via windows update.

And your friend is not one of them, clearly, or this computer wouldn't have
been in the sorry shape it is.

why does MS push SP's via windows update then? ...

You have not demonstrated that the problem has to do with Windows update.
There's no problem with SPs in WU. Not the issue here.

And in a month or so when SP3 comes out, should I format and do
another clean install?

Again, no. You are not paying attention!

(but if you're wise, you won't be installing SP3 onto a production computer
for a while).

I dont want to do a clean install yet... I will try to fix this
problem myself as I usually do with
100% positive results

OK - but if I were the friend in this equation, I'd be a little annoyed at
the "favor" taking so long and might regret asking.

. I will try in a couple days again after
reproducing the restrictions I saw
there on a virtual machine. I will post the solutions here in case
others have the same problem.

It's your business & your decision. I'm just trying to save you (and your
friend) time and effort.

Thanks for trying...

No problem, and good luck.

Recap: if you don't fix your newsreader config to stop snipping out all the
quoted text, I think you'll find a lot of people get frustrated and stop
trying. Seriously, it's considered *extremely* poor netiquette.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Recap: if you don't fix your newsreader config to stop snipping out all the
quoted text, I think you'll find a lot of people get frustrated and stop
trying. Seriously, it's considered *extremely* poor netiquette.

And even worse, it results in his messages being unintelligible and
ignored.