Display Properties Error 2

[stained124]

Please help me!!

I have a problem with opening the Display properties (DP) panel in any way, be that from right click and desktop or control panel etc.

When i select to open the DP panel all i get is the loading sand timer thing for a split second, then it dissappears and leaves me back where i started, nothing loading at all.

I don't think it's a problem with my graphics card because i cannot open the DP panel from a button within the card's setting management software either. (i have a Nivida GeForce FX 5200)

Thanks a lot for any help,

Alex

 

[linney]

The fact that you have been into Safe Mode will throw a lot of false errors into the Event Viewer as many Services and Drivers do not load in Safe Mode. Bear this in mind when checking your Event Viewer.

The file responsible for Display Properties is Desk.cpl

The SP2 version is 5.1.2600.2180 and the size is 132 KB (135,168 bytes) and it is located in
C:\WINDOWS\system32.

Search and check your properties for the file, see if you have any zero byte versions of it floating around in your machine. The System32/DllCache folder may hold a second copy too.

See what happens if you double-click on any of the found versions of Desk.cpl?

 

[bcastner]

At this point I would do a repair/Upgrade reinstall:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341

I would absolutely create a slipstream with the latest XP Service Pack 2 to use for the reinstall. The following thread discusses one easy way to make such a disk: thread779-900263

You will not lose user data, or obviously any service packs. Please go to Windows Update to make sure any missing security hotfixes are applied.

 

[stained124]

linney - I can't find a zero byte version of desk.cpl anywhere.

I did have two 132 kb size desk.cpl files in C:\WINDOWS\system32 and C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

When i double clicked on these two files, i got the sand timer thing for a split second, until it disappeared.
Just as it has been by right clicking desktop > properties and every other way i've tried.

Oddily, i could find no DllCache folder.

 

[bcastner]

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache
It is a hidden, system folder.
Control Panel, Folder Options, View
click to enable 'Show Hidden files and folders'
Uncheck 'Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)'

This sounds awfully like a virus. Run the online scans from Trend Micro and Panda:

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Scanners.htm

 

[linney]

We will await the results of your virus scans.

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

 

[stained124]

I have already cleared my PC of Ad/Spyware with Spybot.

 

[stained124]

Thanks for that bcastner, i wasn't aware that it was hidden. Linney - i have no second copy of desk.cpl in the dllcache.

 

[stained124]

Really sorry for the third post in a row, but something just occoured to me.

I've got AVG Antivirus on as well as frequent running of Spybot; but still i have a problem with internet explorer. Every time i open the browser i am bombarded with several pop ups, despite me having no extra toolbars that might provoke them.
It also installs porno links onto my desktop, this specifically makes me think it isn't anything to do with toolbars.

As well as that problem i have also been finding that sometime AVG finds a virus but will not let you delete/heal it, you can only press continue and ignore the problem.

When i re-install Windows XP is there a chance that i will loose any of the files that are on my hard drive? I have some reasonably valuable things on there which i wouldn't want lost!

I have now completed the online scans.
Trend Micro found 6 viruses, 5 of which were deleted, the remaining 1 is 'in use' so i'm going to see if i can delete it in safe mode.
Panda found no viruses.

 

[linney]

Files in the Dllcache are a type of backup used by Windows File Protection in case the original System files are deleted, renamed or otherwise altered. SFC when run should add it to the Dllcache.

222193 - Description of the Windows File Protection Feature

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;222193&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Repairing windows by running it over itself.

You will lose all your windows updates (no problem if you substitute them with SP2) but your files and programs will be untouched.

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

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

Of course the fact that you do not lose your data or programs means that Windows may simply treat any virus, trojan or worm as it does your installed programs and the same for many of your current Registry settings. Which leads to considering a clean install after a format of the hard drive. Which in turn means you would have to backup your data.

Here's something you can install for free and run.

Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
thread779-979113

 

[stained124]

Thank you both for all your help over the past two days.

Last night i put a frech install of Windows XP on my computer, which has fixed the file that must have been missing before, so everythings back to normal.

Thanks again for your help!

Alex

 

[bcastner]

Good news for once about your system.
You did the right thing.

Best wishes,
Bill Castner