Lost my control panel

I run XP and wanted to go to the Control panel to make some changes and it's not anywhere to be found. I've ran two programs for viruses and none were found. I went to tools and folder options and checked the box to show the control panel on my computer and it is still missing.

 

I found a subject that is present in the control panel, remove programs, but when I click on it I get this message:

This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer, please contact your systems admin.

The only thing I can think of where I might be responsible for this is that I ran a spyware program and removed several things listed. I don't remember anything on there being important but could have overlooked something.

 

Take a look at this. It probably won't help, but this may.
From here:

I've had to reinstall the OS on the one occasion I had the problem, which I felt was due to a hacker attack, since all services had been turned off (disabled).

 

Thanks sparrow, I'll look into it.

 

Here's another idea
A: The list of hidden CPLs (Control Panel applet) are kept in the registry. You can reset the listing by editing the registry directly. Follow these steps:

1. Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
2. Navigate to the following location:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ don't load

3. Backup the branch using the Export option under File menu
4. In the right pane, delete all the values whose data is set to no
5. Close Regedit.exe

 

We need to clear up some of the terminology used in those register instructions.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ don't load

What does "don't load" mean

Backup the branch using the Export option under File menu

The whole branch or just the HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ don't load

Also in backing it up via export, it asks for a name for the file, why doesn't it file it as it's name implies (HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Control Panel \ don't load)?

 

Sorry I didn't check it. Better not do anything in the registry. the only don't load I find (in vista) is shown below, and may not apply.

Control.ini has no contents in 2K or XP and is non-existant in vista.

 

Is your os vista?

 

I'm using vista to get familiar with it. I have 2K and XP x64 Pro and vista 64bit on this machine, and have to teach vista this fall, mainly to show folks how to take control of their PCs, and that'll be a challenge with vista.

 

Hi Bubba,

I'd like to see if there's any infection or policies restriction behind this.

Download Deckard's System Scanner (dss.exe) to your desktop.
Close all applications and windows.
Double-click on dss.exe to run it and follow the prompts.
When the scan is complete, two text files will open; main.txt, which will be maximized and extra.txt, which will be minimized.

Post the contents of main.txt only for now.

If you have HijackThis, it will use it to create a HijackThis log. If you do not, it will automatically download and install HijackThis. Please keep your internet connection active and allow access through your firewall if applicable.

 

Hi Dave,
Glad you're keeping an eye on things. My one experience was when installing vista on a machine at the local comunity center and I wasn't aware that the internet (wireless) was on, and of course there was no security installed yet and suddenly nothing worked and I can't recall why I looked at control panel, but it was a blank window. I checked the services and every single one was disabled! So I just wiped out the partition and reinstalled vista off line.

Didn't have the time or experience to study the situation. I'll watch with interest to see what turns up here.

Mike

 

Hi Mike

That's very odd. Seems that would be counter-productive for a malware or virus to do. Doubt the machine would even boot with every service disabled. Just out of curiosity, I may have to test that.

 

To all concerned, I fixed the problem by doing a system restore. I went back about 4 days and everything returned to normal. Thanks to all that responded.

 

Thanks for the update Bubba

 

U B welcome .

 

Never thought to test that or anything else; just had to get the job done. Believed that because it was very abnormal (nothing either I or windows installer would do) it must be an attack of some sort, and checked the net. The net was not supposed to be on (someone forgot to unplug the power to the router in a back room).

Vista gets online all by itself - no need to set it up! That's very convenient, usually.