Can't open several items in control panel

[bfamo]

Hi,

After searching the web for a solution to my problem without any help, I turn to you guys.

I have three HP DC7900 with Windows Vista. They have hardly been used and have never been connected to internet/LAN.

My problem is that I cant open several items on the control panel. Ex. User accounts, System, network connections and so on. When I try to open one of the items, it opens and then closes again in a flash.

I have logged on to the administrator account, and also tried the same in safe mode. The end result is always the same.

This problem is identical on all three computers.

So.... Anyone out there with a suggestion as to how I can resolve this problem?


Thanks!!!!

 

[kjv1611]

Are you able to view the Event Manager (Start, Right-click Computer, Manage, Event Viewer, Windows logs... I'd actually check the system logs first, then user level logs, etc... also check the User/Group settings there as well..

Are you SURE it hasn't been on a network at all? Is there a network cable connected to each/any of the PCs at all?

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[linney]

Have a look in Services to see if any that are set to start automatically are hanging and not starting.

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Try it first by not checking either box (Read-only mode) to see if it flags any hard drive or file problems. If it does, start by ticking both boxes, in any further rerun.

See how many unsigned drivers you have running on your machine. This article will guide you on the instructions but all you have to do is type sigverif in Start Run.

How to identify unsigned drivers using sigverif utility in Windows Vista

http://www.winvistaclub.com/f34.html

Are these machines fully updated with Service Packs?

Are these machines on a Domain, or ex Domain, where Group Policies may have been set restricting access to Control Panel items?

How do I restore security settings to the default settings?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313222/#appliesto

Have you tried HP Support?

 

[bfamo]

Hi gyus,

Thanks for all your input. Here is what I have tried:
1) Had a look at system and user logs, nothing related to my problem. I also made my own custom view and included all logs and all types of messages. I then tried to open different items on the control panel, and looked for any new messages in the logs. No luck.
2) Started ChkDsk, no errors
3) Tried Sigverif.exe, no errors.
4) Restored security settings to default, still the same problem.
5) Checked if the computer is connected to a domain: What I normally would do to check this is go to control panel->system, but since I cant start System in control panel, I have been looking for domain users in computer management. I cant see any users connected to a domain.
6) Tried to find out which

I'm basically clueless at this point. Its very strange that all three computers have the exact same problem.

None of the computers are connected to internet/LAN with cable, and there is no wireless network adapter.

 

[kjv1611]

Yeah, that does definitely sound very strange to me. I mean, it SOUNDS like someone has put something on the machine to prevent access to certain areas, b/c they don't want you getting there.

Perhaps you could try running a bootable CD Virus/Malware scanner on at least one of the machines just to see:

Avira Rescue System

DrWeb LiveCD

That way, the OS is totally taken out of the picture, so no possibility of anything running that shouldn't be running, and it'll give you a chance to check on things.

Another thought that comes to mind is the possibility that the OS disk used to install the 3 systems is a pirated copy, and thus could contain some sort of malware (no internet required to get it at this point), particularly a root kit?

And if none of that works, you could try a repair install or a total format and reinstall on one of the systems to see if it clears up that way..

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[linney]

How to repair the operating system and how to restore the operating system configuration to an earlier point in time in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/#appliesto

These are some Registry Keys that have things to do with Control Panel applets. I can't tell you what to do about them other than make sure they look OK.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ ControlPanel \ NameSpace

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ ControlPanel \ NameSpace


HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Control Panel \ Cpls

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Control Panel \ Cpls

 

[firewolfrl]

Does anyone in your office use USB drives?
Download malwarebytes and run it on one of the computers

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Are these computers running in an Active directory with a Group policy in place?

what is the use of these computers?
I recently fixed a grocery store computer network that the workstations/cash registers have never been online and an employee loaded a usb flashdrive on a workstation to capture credit card info...


so its something to think about