Unable to access Add or Remove Program or User Acc in Control Panel

[Anthony Kiong]

I was wondering why I can't access the add or remove
program from the control panel? I also cannot access the
User accounts icon in the control panel. The OS I am using
is Win XP home edition. The account i am using have the
computer administrator rights. I went to Safe mode and
access it using the computer administrator account. I was
able to access the add and Remove Program and the user
accounts. I still can't access the 2 icons when it is in
my personal account even though I have the computer
administrator rights. I use to be able to do acces this
but I am unable to do it now.

Is there any way for me to enable me to do access both of
the icon again?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:



Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.



Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.



Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.



Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.



The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[Anthony Kiong]

Michael

I tried the methods you listed and I am still unable
to access my add and Remove Program. do you have any other
methods?

Thank You

Anthony Kiong

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Not much else I can offer except the following.

Start with this, make sure you antivirus is up to date and run a scan on
your system as some viruses can cause this type of behavior.

Also, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com As is the case with most such applications, be sure you
are well backed up.

If both of the above come up clear or removing issues they find doesn't
resolve this
Go to the following link:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

For Add/Remove Programs, scroll to line 146, on the right, double click
"Add or Remove Programs Restriction-Undo."

I don't have a fix for the User Account issue and I haven't seen this before
so, for the moment, let's see if its a virus or some adware that might have
been installed on your system, the above should find it if it's there.