Cannot start the IE7 properties control pannel

I have a computer that was not keeping changes in the properties contol
pannel. We tried to uninstall IE7 and it failed. We restored prior to the
uninstall. We thought that it could be an issue with the registry settings
for the control pannel. The registry keys are gone. And now when I try to
start inetcpl.cpl it will not launch.

Got any ideas?

 

To begin with, there are several possible reasons why configuration
changes you wanted to make did not stick. Unfortunately, you've
neglected to provide sufficient details - like your Windows version,
whether your computer is on a domain and what configuration settings you
were trying to change - for anything but generic troubleshooting. If
you've been fiddling around in the Windows registry there may be nothing
you can do short of reinstalling.

Generic troubleshooting:

1- Start IE 7 with no add-ons. If the problem no longer occurs, one (or
more) add-ons was causing the problem.

For Windows XP: All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Internet
Explorer (No Add-ons)

For Windows Vista: Type Internet Explorer in the Start Search box >
click Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons)

2- Reset IE 7 to its original configuration. If the problem no longer
occurs, one (or more) incorrect configuration settings was causing the
problem.

Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab > under Reset Internet Explorer
Settings, click Reset.

Note: If you want to continue to use any of your add-ons after a reset,
you'll have to reinstall them.

3- Most third party security applications interact with Internet
Explorer to protect your computer from malicious software. Check the
settings in your security software to see if this is happening to you.

4- Problems with IE 7 can also be caused by the presence of viruses or
other malicious software.

 

It might be a security program blocking the Registry change it needs to
make. A few, but not all, of the programs now doing this are:
Ad-aware's Ad-Watch
IBM Access Connections
Kaspersky
McAfee VirusScan and/or Antispyware
Norton AV
Spyware Blaster
Spybot> Tools> IE Tweaks
Spybot- Teatimer
Spysweeper
Spyware Doctor
Windows Defender
Zone Alarm (free) 6.5 Reported to be fixed in later versions.

In the case of Zone Alarm 6.5 or Norton 2007 it actually has to be
uninstalled. Make sure the Windows Firewall is turned on until you
reinstall Zone Alarm.

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and try the change.

 

This Manchine has XP Home Media Center Edition.
I was able to copy over onto the machine an extracted IE7 directory onto the
computer so that I was able to run Remove from the Add / Remove Programs.

So IE is reverted back to IE6

Now I can open IE properties, but I am still getting the issue of not being
able to Reset Web Settings, or if I do make changes they do not keep.

I don't typicly work in the registry. It's always a last resort.

1) I tried the add-on fix : no sucess

2) The employee that was terminated one month ago had installed BearShare.
It had been unistalled but I found footprints it left behind.

3) I double checked Spybot settings and all the IE tweaks, BHOs, and Active
X were fine..

4) Ad-Aware found 2 MRU issues that it was able to delete.

5) Currently I am running Windows Live OncCare Scanner

6) I am about to start HiJack This v2.0

 

Live OneCare found no viruses or spyware.

 

The HiJack This log file.


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.0 (BETA)
Scan saved at 1:38:44 PM, on 2/22/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\brss01a.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Bomgar-SCC-47BEE652\bomgar-scc.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Bomgar-SCC-47BEE652\bomgar-scc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys\Wireless-B USB Network Adapter\NICServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys\Wireless-B USB Network Adapter\WUSB11Cfg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\SRCS Programs\HiJack This v2.0\HiJackThis_v2.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =
http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PRESARIO&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =
http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PRESARIO&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant =
http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
http://www.thecourtyardapts.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PRESARIO&pf=desktop
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
http://search.bearshare.com/sidebar.html?src=ssb
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext =
http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=64&bd=PRESARIO&pf=desktop
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper -
{06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common
Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} -
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows
Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Bomgar Support Helper [1203693138]] "C:\Documents and
Settings\All Users\Application Data\Bomgar-SCC-47BEE652\bomgar-scc.exe"
-service:helper
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe
/RUNONCE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe
/RUNONCE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe
/RUNONCE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe
/RUNONCE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Wireless-B USB Network Adapter Utility.lnk = C:\Program
Files\Linksys\Wireless-B USB Network Adapter\WUSB11Cfg.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} -
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console -
{08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program
Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} -
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} -
C:\WINDOWS\system32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration -
{DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Internet Connection Help -
{E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} -
C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Internet Connection Help -
{E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} -
C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} -
%windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 -
{e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network
Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.realpage.com
O16 - DPF: {4AEF8AEE-3DE8-4B69-8B6E-6353B6C59B50} (RealPage Web Objects) -
http://onesite.realpage.com/coreglobal/RealpageCab/Realpage.cab
O16 - DPF: {5ED80217-570B-4DA9-BF44-BE107C0EC166} (Windows Live Safety
Center Base Module) -
http://cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/resource/download/scanner/wlscbase370.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) -
http://www.update.microsoft.com/win...ls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1200929855268
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) -
http://www.update.microsoft.com/mic...ls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1200929919736
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader -
{438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon -
{8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Ad-Aware 2007 Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program
Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware 2007\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. -
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. -
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. -
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: Bomgar Jump Client [1203693138] (bomgar-ps-1203693138) -
Bomgar Corporation - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Bomgar-SCC-47BEE652\bomgar-scc.exe
O23 - Service: Bomgar Support Customer Client [1203693138]
(bomgar-scc-1203693138) - Bomgar Corporation - C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\Bomgar-SCC-47BEE652\bomgar-scc.exe
O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries
Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\brsvc01a.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision
Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel
32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service
(LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common
Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: NICSer_WUSB11 - Unknown owner - C:\Program
Files\Linksys\Wireless-B USB Network Adapter\NICServ.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation -
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

 

Because the issue is persisting I am beginning to think that this may be a
permissions issue with the user account.

The user account is part of the administrator group.

I was thinking that even if I cleaned off the malisious software, if it
changed the user permissions or the permissions of the specific IE registry
keys the problem would persist.

So I tried to log into the Administrator account in safe mode and was
denied. I reset the Admin password to no password and still unable to log
into the Admin account.

Any ideas?

 

I was correct. The Usser account permissions got corrupted. I just need to
create a new user account solve the issue.

 

Save yourself the trouble: Backup the ex-employee's data files then
erase and re-image the disk. It will take about 15 minutes and it's the
only way you know for sure that the machine is free of malware and
configuration screw ups.