Cannot open Internet Explorer Tools option

[G0AOZ]

XP Home SP3, all patches and updates, IE7. Clicking on the Tools option either from within Explorer or from Control Panel, produces nothing other than a very quick flash of the Internet Properties box. Same happens in all User profiles, and in Safe mode. This machine runs normally in all other aspects. The problem suddenly appeared one day without any known reason.

Tried the following:-

1. Completed several different scans for virus, malware etc., but only minor items found.
2. Uninstalling and reinstalling IE7
3. Ran sfc /scannow
4. Removed Spybot v162
5. Tried Microsoft's Fix-It
6. Tried using System Restore back to when it WAS working, but problem still exists.
7. Nothing relevant in Event Viewer.

I notice in GPEDIT.MSC that under User Configuration, Windows Settings, the Internet Explorer Maintenance option appears to be incomplete. The hammer icon shows up, but there is no description against it. Similarly, the icons within that folder are blank and cannot be opened. Error message when trying to open states, MMC cannot initialize the snap-in.

Other than ignoring IE7 and using Mozilla, how can I repair the "damage" to this Tools option?
Is it possible to somehow edit those Windows setting within GPEDIT?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[smah]

I'm curious about #5... Which MS Fix It utility did you use? Have you tried

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

 

[linney]

What about updating to IE8?

You could use Add/Remove programs in Control Panel. Select Add/Remove Windows Components.

Uncheck the entry for Internet Explorer. Press Next. This will remove all IE and Outlook Express icons.

Repeat the process, this time reselect and check Internet Explorer. Press Next. This will restore fresh icons that were previously removed. This option only repairs icons and shortcuts of IE and Outlook Express.


This might repair or update the MMC Snapin?

MMC 3.0 update is available for Windows Server 2003 and for Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/907265

http://www.google.com/search?q=MMC+...-au&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/en-us

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks for replies.

Smah,

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

- that's the fix I tried.

It didn't appear to help resolve the issue...

Linney, haven't tried IE8 yet, but have uninstalled and reinstalled IE7 but it didn't make any difference to the lack of Tools option.

I'll try an over-the-top and also the MMC update.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[tlcscousin]

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer
Look in that key and see if any of the Internet options Tabs are set with a value of 1 if so you can backup the key and change the values to 0 (zero) or delete the keys.

 

[G0AOZ]

Tlcscousin, thanks, but already been there - none set to 1.

Well I've now put on IE8 and fingers crossed, so far the Tools option has remained accessible each time the machine has been booted. It has also overwritten the "corrupted" entries in Group Policy. Not sure why the complete removal and reinstallation of IE7 couldn't have done that...

G0AOZ - R0GER.