SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

[Guest Vern Linard]

I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC), seemed

like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update and did the

rest.

 

BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

 

I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES

 

 

NETWORK

1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it gave me

only one strange tab

and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,

2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

 

SYSTEM

Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE TAB!!

 

Internet Explorer 7

I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to install an

ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it

it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not allow

install of active X"

I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but whatever

i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on IE7 about

security problems with active X

 

I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that

everything there would have its settings default..

 

but even there I could not install active X

 

 

why are all these problems happening???????

 

it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions of XP

PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the group policy

editor???

 

I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg

that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this tool.

but why did this get disabled by SP2??

 

This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try

things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it

... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please help!

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

I must add that before I noticed all these problems, I had to change the

name of the workgroup from something else, to WORKGROU in my effort to make

this computer share folders over the network with a laptop...

 

Im mentioning this because I read somewhere about domains and restrictions..

I have no idea

about this

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

oh and something else.. I downloaded a program system information (called

SIW), and tried to run it, but nothing happened when I was double clicking

on its icon!!!

 

seems like somehow I was limited into runing this app for some reason.. it

was downloaded correctly for sure.. that was not the prob..

 

 

thanks

[Guest Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Hi

SP2 upgrade add many security features.

You have to check the Firewall permission/exemptions, and read carefully the

configuration options of IE7.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/internet/sp2_wscintro.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=6AA4C1DA-6021-468E-A8CF-AF4AFE4C84B2&displaylang=en

Jack (MVP-Networking).

 

"Vern Linard" <VernLinard@aol.ca> wrote in message

news:47c0bac1@newsgate.x-privat.org...

>I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC),

>seemed like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update and did

>the rest.

>

> BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

>

> I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES

>

>

> NETWORK

> 1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it gave

> me only one strange tab

> and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,

> 2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

>

> SYSTEM

> Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE

> TAB!!

>

> Internet Explorer 7

> I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to install

> an ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it

> it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not

> allow install of active X"

> I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but

> whatever i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on IE7

> about security problems with active X

>

> I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that

> everything there would have its settings default..

>

> but even there I could not install active X

>

>

> why are all these problems happening???????

>

> it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions of XP

> PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the group policy

> editor???

>

> I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox

> http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg

> that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this

> tool. but why did this get disabled by SP2??

>

> This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try

> things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it

> ... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please help!

>

>

>

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

I know this stuff already... they have nothing to do with my problems

 

I have used SP on my OWN computer since it came out....

 

this strange thing is different

[Guest MAP]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Vern Linard wrote:

> I know this stuff already... they have nothing to do with my problems

>

> I have used SP on my OWN computer since it came out....

>

> this strange thing is different

 

Nothing like copping an attitude to get the help you are asking for.

 

--

Mike Pawlak

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

I am only explaining that the information is not related to the problem...

 

there is no attitude problem here...

 

any information that is relative to the problem is welcome

[Guest RJK]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Casting my eye through your post, it strikes me that you shouldn't be trying

to "fix" a frends PC unless you have a VERY good idea of what you're doing,

and plenty of time to resolve problems which can surface. It's my

experience that aged XP platforms often need lots of tidying up | several

malware sweeps, (usually impractical on-site because of the time they take)

| then a repair install | ...then apply the service pack & harden up for

internet if appropriate etc.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

 

regards, Richard

 

....and you did seem to be "copping an attitude," ...with that "...I know

all this..."

 

 

"Vern Linard" <VernLinard@aol.ca> wrote in message

news:47c0bac1@newsgate.x-privat.org...

>I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC),

>seemed like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update and did

>the rest.

>

> BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

>

> I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES

>

>

> NETWORK

> 1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it gave

> me only one strange tab

> and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,

> 2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

>

> SYSTEM

> Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE

> TAB!!

>

> Internet Explorer 7

> I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to install

> an ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it

> it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not

> allow install of active X"

> I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but

> whatever i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on IE7

> about security problems with active X

>

> I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that

> everything there would have its settings default..

>

> but even there I could not install active X

>

>

> why are all these problems happening???????

>

> it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions of XP

> PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the group policy

> editor???

>

> I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox

> http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg

> that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this

> tool. but why did this get disabled by SP2??

>

> This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try

> things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it

> ... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please help!

>

>

>

[Guest Mick Murphy]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

The only proper way to install SP2 is to install it after a clean install of

XPSP1 disk.

Do it any other way, you are asking for trouble; as you have found out!

 

You can huff and puff as much as you like; I run a business building and

repairing computers.

And why are you installing XP's SP2 this many years down the track!

XP has not just been put on that computer!And you did notput it on!

 

--

Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia

 

 

"Vern Linard" wrote:

> I am only explaining that the information is not related to the problem...

>

> there is no attitude problem here...

>

> any information that is relative to the problem is welcome

>

>

>

[Guest DrTeeth]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

On Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:24:36 +0200, "Vern Linard" <VernLinard@aol.ca>

wrote:

>I am only explaining that the information is not related to the problem...[snip]

>any information that is relative to the problem is welcome

 

If you are in a position to be able to tell which bit of info is

pertinent to your problem, you don't need any help.

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

DrTeeth <no-email@tardis.com> wrote:

> On Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:24:36 +0200, "Vern Linard" <VernLinard@aol.ca>

> wrote:

>

>> I am only explaining that the information is not related to the

>> problem...[snip] any information that is relative to the problem is

>> welcome

>

> If you are in a position to be able to tell which bit of info is

> pertinent to your problem, you don't need any help.

 

Jaysus, all of you, give the guy a break, and re-read the original post.

He's helping out a friend with his computer. If you've got a lot of extra

aggression to work out, why don't you go do some yard chores?

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

My reply is at the bottom of your message.

 

Vern Linard <VernLinard@aol.ca> wrote:

> I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC),

> seemed like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update

> and did the rest.

>

> BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

>

> I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES

>

>

> NETWORK

> 1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it

> gave me only one strange tab

> and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,

> 2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

>

> SYSTEM

> Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE

> TAB!!

> Internet Explorer 7

> I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to

> install an ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it

> it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not

> allow install of active X"

> I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but

> whatever i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on

> IE7 about security problems with active X

>

> I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that

> everything there would have its settings default..

>

> but even there I could not install active X

>

>

> why are all these problems happening???????

>

> it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions

> of XP PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the

> group policy editor???

>

> I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox

> http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg

> that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this

> tool. but why did this get disabled by SP2??

>

> This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try

> things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it

> ... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please

> help!

 

 

As someone else posted, stepping in to fix up a computer that's been used

for a long time by non-tech-savvy home users, is always dangerous. What I

prefer to do in a situation like this is to tell the friend that I'll back

up their data and cleanly reinstall Windows, etc., and show them how to keep

it that way - making sure they have decent antivirus protection, antispyware

tools, and automatic updates. At this point, as you aren't in front of the

computer, it's hard to give you much advice for troubleshooting, especially

as you haven't noted anything you saw in your event logs.

 

When you get back in front of the computer, you might try doing a system

restore to a time before you began, and try things one at a time. First scan

for malware/viruses. Install SP2 first, alone. See if everything looks

OK.(Device Manager can be accessed via control panel | system). Get the

latest device drivers from the hardware manufacturer, and install them. See

how it goes from there.

 

If the computer was part of a domain previously, note that there are all

sorts of other security shards/whatnot that can lurk in the background. Your

friend should know whether he/she needs to belong to a domain - it's

unlikely unless this is a company-owned computer, though.

 

Recap - the quickest solution is usually a complete clean reinstall.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html will help.

 

Also remember that people in here are volunteering their time to try to help

you, so even if you don't like or want their advice, a polite "thank you,

but..." is always in order. Or, a simple "thank you."

 

Best o' luck...

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Can group policies do this? and restrict some functions?

How can I know if that computer was in a domain in the past?

 

If I do a system restore ( I made a restore point before) will that brin

everything to its prior condition?

 

I did the SP2 AND windows update afterwards so a lot of stuff was installed

[Guest Daave]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Vern Linard wrote:

> Can group policies do this? and restrict some functions?

 

Can group policies do *what*?

 

Although it's always a good idea to snip superfluous information, you

have snipped the *entire* post of the person you are replying to! This

makes it more difficult for people to follow. So, in order to maximize

the quantity and quality of responses to your post, you should be sure

to include the part of the post you are replying to.

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

there was nothing to retain from the person I am posting back to..

 

when I say "this" I mean the anomalous behaviour I explained in my original

post....

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

the computer was in an office in the past, that MIGHT have been in a

domain.. yes

 

She however now has this computer home, and she has no idea if she was or

was not in a domain....

She is only a simple user of PCs.

 

Do you know how I can find out if this pc was in a domain, and how to

reverse the effects?

 

Is there a way to RESET all the settings to default?

 

And another question.. ok say that this pc was in a domain, why did these

restrictions "wake up" only after installing SP2? I remember accessing the

network settings before I installed sp2.

 

I can clean install yes.. but I would try to figure it out before I do a

clean install...

anyway sp3 is just around the corner... and I cant wait for that...

If I was to do a real clean install I would slipstream sp3 too... lol

 

Thanks for your help.. it seems you are the only one here who can help me...

 

 

 

 

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

<lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote in message

news:egcYumvdIHA.2448@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> My reply is at the bottom of your message.

>

> Vern Linard <VernLinard@aol.ca> wrote:

>> I did the SP2 installation on XP PRO that had SP1 (for a friends PC),

>> seemed like the install went ok.. so then I went to windows update

>> and did the rest.

>>

>> BUT here are some very strange things that happned! PLEASE HELP!

>>

>> I must note that the USER is has ADMINISTRATOR PRIVILEDGES

>>

>>

>> NETWORK

>> 1) when I right clicked later on the LAN connection> properties, it

>> gave me only one strange tab

>> and not the usual list of TCP bla bla so I could change things,

>> 2) right clicking on the network icon on the TRAY did not do anything

>>

>> SYSTEM

>> Right clicking on MY COMPUTER > properties did not give me a HARDWARE

>> TAB!!

>> Internet Explorer 7

>> I tried to go to windows update, at first it told me it needed to

>> install an ACTIVE X, but then when I tried to do it

>> it was saying something in the effect of "my active x settings do not

>> allow install of active X"

>> I tried puting everything in the security tab of IE7 to default but

>> whatever i DID it kept telling me with the yellow notification bar on

>> IE7 about security problems with active X

>>

>> I then tried to make a NEW ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT ( a user) hoping that

>> everything there would have its settings default..

>>

>> but even there I could not install active X

>>

>>

>> why are all these problems happening???????

>>

>> it seems to me like some security stuff has locked certain functions

>> of XP PRO but I dont know why, perhaps I can fix things with the

>> group policy editor???

>>

>> I DID find in my bag of tricks this tweaking tool from doug knox

>> http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4466/sshot3dw5.jpg

>> that has one option to disable the hardware tab.. and I will try this

>> tool. but why did this get disabled by SP2??

>>

>> This is NOT my pc and I cant have access to it right now so I can try

>> things... I will go back there next week to see if I can fix it

>> ... I know my computer and such things have never happend.. please

>> help!

>

>

> As someone else posted, stepping in to fix up a computer that's been used

> for a long time by non-tech-savvy home users, is always dangerous. What I

> prefer to do in a situation like this is to tell the friend that I'll back

> up their data and cleanly reinstall Windows, etc., and show them how to

> keep it that way - making sure they have decent antivirus protection,

> antispyware tools, and automatic updates. At this point, as you aren't in

> front of the computer, it's hard to give you much advice for

> troubleshooting, especially as you haven't noted anything you saw in your

> event logs.

>

> When you get back in front of the computer, you might try doing a system

> restore to a time before you began, and try things one at a time. First

> scan for malware/viruses. Install SP2 first, alone. See if everything

> looks OK.(Device Manager can be accessed via control panel | system). Get

> the latest device drivers from the hardware manufacturer, and install

> them. See how it goes from there.

>

> If the computer was part of a domain previously, note that there are all

> sorts of other security shards/whatnot that can lurk in the background.

> Your friend should know whether he/she needs to belong to a domain - it's

> unlikely unless this is a company-owned computer, though.

>

> Recap - the quickest solution is usually a complete clean reinstall.

> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html will help.

>

> Also remember that people in here are volunteering their time to try to

> help you, so even if you don't like or want their advice, a polite "thank

> you, but..." is always in order. Or, a simple "thank you."

>

> Best o' luck...

>

>

>

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Vern Linard <VernLinard@aol.ca> wrote:

> Can group policies do this?

 

Do what? (see "snipping" comment below)

> and restrict some functions?

 

Yes, but that doesn't explain the problems you're having now.

 

> How can I know if that computer was in a domain in the past?

 

You can't, at least not easily. And even if you could, that isn't the

problem here. It could be a problem down the road.

>

> If I do a system restore ( I made a restore point before) will that

> brin everything to its prior condition?

 

Should do.

>

> I did the SP2 AND windows update afterwards so a lot of stuff was

> installed

 

 

Seriously, I suggest you back up the data now and follow my suggestion for

a clean reinstall. That's the first thing that should be done when someone

inherits a PC, in my opinion. You'll spend a lot less time on this project

if you just do that.

 

And also, the other poster is correct - snipping out *all* of the previous

text makes it impossible to follow this thread. Snip judiciously, when

length dictates it. Replying inline will make this easy for everyone.

[Guest Vern Linard]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

I know how to do clean installs and I do prefer that. I would like to give

it a last try before

I tell that I will have to format and do all that to her computer...

 

Your advice is to do clean installs whenever a sp comes out? You and me are

geeks we format pcs just for the heck of it,

but most people try to avoid formating.. I know people that still are

running the original install of XP rtm that came with the computer

in 2002 and have done all the updates via windows update.

 

why does MS push SP's via windows update then? ...

 

And in a month or so when SP3 comes out, should I format and do another

clean install?

 

I dont want to do a clean install yet... I will try to fix this problem

myself as I usually do with

100% positive results. I will try in a couple days again after reproducing

the restrictions I saw

there on a virtual machine. I will post the solutions here in case others

have the same problem.

 

Thanks for trying...

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

Vern Linard <VernLinard@aol.ca> wrote:

> I know how to do clean installs and I do prefer that. I would like to

> give it a last try before

> I tell that I will have to format and do all that to her computer...

>

> Your advice is to do clean installs whenever a sp comes out?

 

No. You are not paying attention.

 

You do a clean install when you're working with a computer that has been

unpatched and used by a home user and was a hand-me-down from their

workplace anyway - you have a machine that is a mess already, so it doesn't

make a lot of sense to invest time and effort in going through it

methodically with tweezers for hours, when a simple clean reinstall will

give the end user what he or she really wants - which is a working computer.

> You and

> me are geeks we format pcs just for the heck of it,

 

Stuff and nonsense! I'm far too lazy and practical.

>

> but most people try to avoid formating.. I know people that still are

> running the original install of XP rtm that came with the computer

> in 2002 and have done all the updates via windows update.

 

And your friend is not one of them, clearly, or this computer wouldn't have

been in the sorry shape it is.

> >

> why does MS push SP's via windows update then? ...

 

You have not demonstrated that the problem has to do with Windows update.

There's no problem with SPs in WU. Not the issue here.

>

> And in a month or so when SP3 comes out, should I format and do

> another clean install?

 

Again, no. You are not paying attention!

 

(but if you're wise, you won't be installing SP3 onto a production computer

for a while).

>

> I dont want to do a clean install yet... I will try to fix this

> problem myself as I usually do with

> 100% positive results

 

OK - but if I were the friend in this equation, I'd be a little annoyed at

the "favor" taking so long and might regret asking.

> . I will try in a couple days again after

> reproducing the restrictions I saw

> there on a virtual machine. I will post the solutions here in case

> others have the same problem.

 

It's your business & your decision. I'm just trying to save you (and your

friend) time and effort.

>

> Thanks for trying...

 

 

No problem, and good luck.

 

Recap: if you don't fix your newsreader config to stop snipping out all the

quoted text, I think you'll find a lot of people get frustrated and stop

trying. Seriously, it's considered *extremely* poor netiquette.

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: SUPER STRANGE THINGS after installing SP2 !!! on XP pro

 

On Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:09:48 -0500, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"

<lanwench@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:

 

> Recap: if you don't fix your newsreader config to stop snipping out all the

> quoted text, I think you'll find a lot of people get frustrated and stop

> trying. Seriously, it's considered *extremely* poor netiquette.

 

 

And even worse, it results in his messages being unintelligible and

ignored.

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

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