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Windows Vista Laptop - No Internet Connectivity - Device Manager Won't Open

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by virginia, 2014/10/03.

  1. 2014/10/03
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Working on a friend's computer - Dell Studio XPS 1640, Vista Home Premium SP2, 64 Bit, 4.0GB. I suspected bad malware so I had a thread in the Security forum and Broni got it cleaned of malware. However, I still can't connect to the internet wirelessly and I get a number of dialog boxes that appear during boot up:

    fm3023 - Unable to locate
    Application failed to start because Ltwvc215u.dll was not found.

    Catalyst Control Center Host Application Stopped Working. (2 instances.)

    .NET Runtime Optimization Service has stopped.

    FAXMAN Server has stopped working.

    On Screen Keyboard displays on Startup.

    Found New Hardware - Windows couldn't find device driver.

    I am able to close out all these dialog boxes with no problem, but they reappear on every boot.

    Internet Connectivity. All I have in my apartment is WiFi furnished as part of the Phone/TV package. When I click on the internet icon by the clock, I get a dialog box that says not connected. When I select "Connect to a network ", I get a list of options and when I select "Wireless ", I get a message "Windows cannot find any networks ". I did take the laptop to a location where I could try an ethernet connection and it couldn't connect. (My W8.1 Dell connected to that ethernet OK).

    Device Manager - When I try to look at the network adapters in Device Manager, either via Control Panel or right clicking the Computer icon, I get a dialog box that says "MMC could not create the snapin ". When I try to access Device Manager in the Control Panel, it is blank and if I click on it I get the above message.

    Any hope for this critter?
     
    virginia,
    #1
  2. 2014/10/03
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Robert.

    For the Device Manager issue see this link, How to Enable or Disable the Device Manager MMC Snap-in.

    Then please download and run Autoruns. After you download the zipped folder on your desktop, right click the zipped folder and click Extract All. After the folder has been extracted open the regular folder. Run the autoruns.exe program by right clicking on it and selecting Run as administrator. When you open the program click the Logon Tab and then post a screenshot of the Logon Tab in your next reply.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2014/10/03
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan,

    I ran the first download in Option 1 - no change. Ran the second download in Option 1 - no change as well. I couldn't attempt the Option 2 fixes as I couldn't locate or open the Local Group Policy Editor. Didn't run the Autoruns since I couldn't get the first step done. Should I go ahead with the Autoruns?
     
    virginia,
    #3
  5. 2014/10/03
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Yes go ahead with posting the Autoruns screenshot.

    Lets try this second fix for the Device Manager issue since the first fix didn't help. Click Start< in the Start search box type Command Prompt then right click on the Command Prompt link and select Run as administrator. After the Command Prompt window opens paste this command in and hit enter:

    regsvr32 devmgr.dll

    After that is done, close the Command Prompt window and reboot the computer and see if Device Manager now works.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #4
  6. 2014/10/04
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan,

    Device Manager Issue - Ran the Command Prompt and got a dialog box titled RegSvr32 with this message:

    "The module devmgr.dll may not be compatible with the version of Windows that you are running. Check if the module is compatible with an X86 (32bit) or X64 (64bit) version of regsvr32.exe."

    AutoRuns Issue - Right click on Desktop Zip file didn't give an "Extract" option. When I selected "Open" I got a dialog box titled C:\...Desktop\Autoruns.zip with this message:

    The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you are running. Check your computer system information to see whether you need an X86 (32bit) or X64 (64bit) version of the program and then contact the software publisher.

    I checked the system information and it clearly states 64 bit Operating System. I also downloaded a second copy of the Autoruns folder and ran it with the same result.

    What now?
     
    virginia,
    #5
  7. 2014/10/04
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Well the devmgr.dll failed to register itself properly so we will need to move on to using another tool to repair your system which I have outlined with the steps below.

    You need to extract the file first otherwise you can't run the .exe file. Take a look at the screenshot on the bottom of my post for locating the Extract option.

    Now back to the Device Manager issue, lets try this method to repair your system:

    1. Download the portable version of Windows Repair (All In One) from here, Windows Repair (All In One). (Make sure you have your computer running in a clean boot state BEFORE running repairs. If you need assistance with performing a clean boot then follow the instructions here, How to perform a clean boot in Windows)

    2. Download the portable zipped folder to your desktop.

    3. Extract the contents of the zipped folder, and then right click on the Repair_Windows.exe file and select run as administrator.

    4. After the program opens, click on the Step 3 tab and click the Do It button to have the program run Check Disk on the file system. Screenshot.

    5. After the computer finishes running Check Disk, start the program again and proceed to Step 4.

    6. Click on the Step 4 tab and click on the Do It button to allow the program to run the System File Checker to find and fix any corrupt Windows files. Screenshot.

    7. After SFC finishes, proceed to the Step 5 tab.

    8. On the Step 5 tab go ahead and create a new system restore point before starting the repair by clicking on the Create button under the System Restore area. Screenshot.

    9. Once that is done click on the Start Repairs tab.

    10. On the Start Repairs tab click on the Start button and select Run when prompted. Screenshot.

    11. The Windows Repairs window will open. Now ensure that ONLY the checkboxes in the program are checked as indicated below:

    Reset Registry Permissions
    Reset File Permissions
    Reset Service Permissions
    Register System Files
    Repair WMI
    Repair Windows Firewall
    Repair Internet Explorer
    Repair MDAV/MS Jet
    Repair Hosts Files
    Remove Policies Set By Infections
    Repair Start Menu Icons Removed by Infections
    Repair Icons
    Repair Winsock & DNS Cache
    Remove Temp Files
    Repair Proxy Settings
    Repair Windows Updates
    Set Windows Services to Default Startup
    Restore Important Windows Services
    Repair MSI (Windows Installer)

    12. Then when those checkboxes are selected, click on the checkbox that says Restart System when Finished.

    13. Now click on the Start button to start the repair process.

    14. The process could take some time so please be patient.

    15. After the repair process finishes, the computer will be rebooted.

    16. See if there is any difference after performing the above steps.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #6
  8. 2014/10/05
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan,

    I ran the Windows Repair tool. After the restart, the laptop was very slow - from boot up to trying to access programs - Control Panel took 15 to 20 minutes to open. I restarted the laptop a couple of times and this morning it seemed to boot up and operate as it was before using the tool. However, no change in the problems I was having before I ran the tool.

    Question on the Autoruns that failed previously because I didn't have an "Extract" option on right click. I was able to extract on my W8.1 laptop and create a folder. Could I simply move that folder to the Desktop on the bad laptop and try to run it from there?
     
    virginia,
    #7
  9. 2014/10/05
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    So still no change in Device Manager? Was the computer heavily infected before you created this new thread or were there just minor potentially unwanted programs that were on the machine?

    Yes, as long as you extracted the folder first then you can just transfer the regular folder over to the Vista machine and run the Autoruns.exe program.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #8
  10. 2014/10/06
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan,

    No change in the computer operation. I don't know how heavily infected it was. Broni doesn't usually give any details - I just ran the tools as he directed. I'm not savvy enough to be able to interpret the tools and the logs that were produced. http://www.windowsbbs.com/malware-virus-removal/108222-inactive-slow-laptop-no-internet-connection-suspect-malware.html

    I did copy the Autoruns folder to the Desktop. There were two files that appeared to be executable. The first one I selected ran a Command Prompt box and then disappeared. The second one did produce the Systernals Logon and I have attached it.
     

    Attached Files:

    virginia,
    #9
  11. 2014/10/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Can you post the entire window of the Autoruns Logon Tab? Your screenshot doesn't include all the entries.

    I read through your malware thread and wanted to ask can you successfully connect to wireless networks or are you still having issues with that functionality? Have you installed the latest drivers for your wired and wireless network devices?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #10
  12. 2014/10/07
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan,

    I didn't notice there was a slider bar involved. I hope the screenshot below has picked up what was missing the first time.

    Still can't connect to the internet. I get an internet icon by the clock but when I try to connect using that I get a message "Windows can't find any networks ".

    I haven't updated any drivers as I can't open the Device Manager to get to the driver update function. Is there a way to identify what the devices are and to download and install the drivers even if I can't see them in Device Manager?
     

    Attached Files:

    virginia,
    #11
  13. 2014/10/07
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Download the portable version of Speccy and when you open the program click on the Network category to view your network devices.

    In Autoruns on the Logon Tab remove the following items:

    All the items highlighted in yellow.
    dldwamon
    SysTrayApp
    Dell V505
    FATrayAlert
    GrooveMonitor
    Microsoft Default Manager
    PDVDDXSrv
    QuickTimeTask
    StartCCC
    EA Download Manager

    Can you try booting into Safe Mode and seeing if Device Manager works there?

    If you can't connect to any networks and you are still having issues with Device Manager then a repair install may be the only option to get your system fully back up and running.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #12
  14. 2014/10/08
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Evan,

    I found the network adapters and downloaded the drivers. Couldn't get the Broadcom Netlink (Ethernet) to install. Installed the Intel WiFi driver but no change to internet connectivity. I have a NetGear USB adapter that I installed using it's disc and it didn't change anything.

    I also downloaded and installed Belarc Advisor so I could get to the software keys and noted something interesting in the "Communications" area. In addition to the ethernet and wireless adapters that Speccy found, the following items showed up - I think they have to do with Ipv4 and Ipv6 interface. Don't know if they would affect anything but I recall from an issue that TonyT helped me with that most of that can be disabled.

    6TO4 Adapter
    Microsoft 6to4 Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    I made the changes you noted and it did stop a number of the pop ups I had been getting on boot up. But no major changes.

    I could boot into Safe Mode but couldn't open Device Manager.

    I was afraid we were about at this point. I have never done this before but I'm not fearful of launching in to it with a bit of guidance. I don't have any disks to use but the computer does have a Drive D which appears to be Recovery. From what I have gathered, the Recovery/Reinstall wipes out data and all installed programs. I have the data all copied on to a spare hard drive but I would like to save the programs if possible - primarily Microsoft Office 2007. Any suggestions?
     
    virginia,
    #13
  15. 2014/10/08
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Right now you have three options.

    Option 1: Use the recovery partition that will wipe out everything and restore Windows Vista back to factory settings which means that any personal data or programs that were installed will be gone.

    Option 2: (This option consists of two ways of performing the repair install) Perform a repair install of Windows Vista using a Windows Vista DVD.

    Do you or anyone you know have a Windows Vista SP2 64-bit DVD?

    If a Windows Vista DVD is not available then you will need to use this link to create a Windows Vista DVD, How to Download a Vista ISO and Create an Installation DVD or USB.

    A repair install can only be done with a Windows Vista DVD that is the same service pack level as the source version. There are only Windows Vista SP1 ISO images available which stinks. Since the laptop has Windows Vista SP2 installed you have two options for the repair install to work.

    You can try removing SP2 from the system which will downgrade the system back to SP1 and you can perform a repair install of Windows Vista using your Windows Vista SP1 DVD and then after it finishes you will need to reinstall SP2 and all of the other Windows Updates.

    Or if you want to perform a repair install with a Windows Vista SP2 DVD you can try this pain in the butt method to reverse integrate SP2 into your ISO file, Use Reverse Integration to slipstream Windows Vista SP1 and SP2.

    Regardless of which option you choose for the repair install you will need to follow this guide on performing the repair install, How To Perform a Repair Installation For Vista.

    Option 3: Upgrade to Windows 7. If your friend has never liked Vista and the laptop has Windows 7 drivers available (you will need to look up the model number of the laptop on Dell's website) then you can use this opportunity to wipe the hard drive and perform a clean install of Windows 7:

    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit, System Builder OEM DVD 1 Pack (New Packaging).

    How to Do a Clean Installation with Windows 7.

    Let me know which option you decide to go with.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #14
  16. 2014/11/15
    virginia Lifetime Subscription

    virginia Geek Member Thread Starter

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    Sorry about letting this one go so long. Had some family issues arise in October and this was put on the back burner. I have been working on the unit the past several days and it has gotten progressively worse.

    I can't get it to boot now and it has a Vista CD now that I can't eject - so I guess it has eaten it. I am convinced the HD has gone south. I removed the HD and put it in my Manhattan QuickDock Duo and my Windows 7 Pro machine doesn't recognize it.

    I was able to get all the critical data copied onto a spare hard drive early in the process so that is a plus. At this point I will declare defeat and give my thanks to Evan and all who spent time helping me on this project.
     
    virginia,
    #15

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