unable to access the computer XXXX the error was: Invalid syntax

[GaryKearley]

Hi Folks,

I have a machine here which when trying to view "Local Users and Groups" from the Computer Management screen, I get a "unable to access the computer [computername]. The error was: Invalid syntax" error message displayed.

I have never seen an error like this before, and searching google and here doesn't 'seem' to reveal any answers related.

This is not the only problem with this machine, but I think they are all related - other problems are not being able to run "Disk Management" and odd issues of not lauching apps when clicking the icons.

The machine in question is a Compaq d330, due to other past faults it has a new Motherboard & RAM and a newly imaged hard drive.

Gary

"There are very few problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives"

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp&NoWebContent=1

 

[astroboy2004]

Sounds like the registry is corrupt Gary. What is the OS and SP level?

“Just remember that you are unique – just the same as everyone else”

 

[GaryKearley]

The hard drive is a fresh imaged one, and the machine had similar errors before the new hard drive, so that is why I am sort of discounting the OS, as this image is used on all the company machines and none, apart from this blighter have this problem.

the OS is Windows XP Pro, SP 1, Office XP SP2.

All critical updates applied.

Thanks for pointers so far folks.

Gary

"There are very few problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives"

 

[bcastner]

Both Local Users and Groups and Disk Management are MMC snapins (lusrmgr.msc and devmngr.msc, respectively). Your icons are usually a special form of .lnk files. Your inability to run these files suggests serious problems with the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT portion of the registry.

Do the repair reeinstallation, and then head to Windows Update (with firewall enabled) to bring your Hotfixes back up to date:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp&NoWebContent=1