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    Problems accessing Vista Control Panel

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by voltaire, Feb 23, 2009.

  1. voltaire

    voltaire Notebook Consultant

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    I'm running Vista 32 bit o/s on a Dell Studio 15 and have problems accessing the control panel. When I open it it comes up without any icons. When I click on the open window it says that the control panel is not responding, I then choose to "Search for a solution and restart" which corrects things but every time I boot the lappy up I have to go through the same thing. I'm not sure exactly when this started as I don't use the control panel that often but I've had the computer since December and removed all the crap and Dell Dock so I'm wondering if the removal of Dell Dock had caused this. Any ideas or suggestions?
     
    voltaire, Feb 23, 2009
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  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    qhn, Feb 23, 2009
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  3. voltaire

    voltaire Notebook Consultant

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    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer


    Unfortunately I don't have Explorer inside the Policies folder, just something that says "Default" reg_sz with the value not set
     
    voltaire, Feb 23, 2009
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  4. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    hmmm.

    . Back up your registry

    . Create a new key EXPLORER under your Policies key

    . Reboot.

    *pray*

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Feb 23, 2009
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  5. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    Run virus & spyware scans.

    Restore the system using System Restore.

    Dell gives you the Windows disc, so... if all else fails... reinstall Windows.
     
    swarmer, Feb 24, 2009
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  6. voltaire

    voltaire Notebook Consultant

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    turned out to be a conflict with Avast Antivirus. Turn Avast on and no access to the control panel without "Searching for a solution and restarting Explorer". With Avast off I have instant access to the control panel.
     
    voltaire, Mar 6, 2009
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  7. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Interesting with Avast blocking the access. I have it on Vista and XP for a long time. You might want to give it a clean re-install of Avast with the latest core version and see.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Mar 6, 2009
    #7