Add or Remove Programs causes Run a DLL as an App error
When I try to use the control panel Add or Remove Programs, I get the error message "Run a DLL as an APP has encountered a problem and needs to close." I get the same message if I run the appwiz.cpl application. The Microsoft support site is of no help. My system is running Windows XP Home with all current updates.
I can't remove any programs now, and need to remove several to free up space (and comply to an expired license issue). Is there a fix for this?
I can't remove any programs now, and need to remove several to free up space (and comply to an expired license issue). Is there a fix for this?
Have you tried the System File Checker? go to Start-> Run and type CMD and hit the Enter key. Then, in the CMD window that opens up, type these commands:
sfc /purgecache
sfc /scannow
that will check for corrupted or missing system files. Have your XP installation CD handy to provide backups to restore from.
sfc /purgecache
sfc /scannow
that will check for corrupted or missing system files. Have your XP installation CD handy to provide backups to restore from.
start>run>cmd
regsvr32 appwiz.cpl
then reboot, and retry....
regsvr32 appwiz.cpl
then reboot, and retry....
ASKER
psyclown: Your link took me to a Cleaner Magazine's web site (LOL) but I did find the CCleaner and may download it if I can't find a solution to the error mentioned.
LeeTutor: When I tried this, I end up getting stuck with a dialog box asking me to put the Windows disk in. It is the original XP installation disk but the CD drive is not the same (I now have 3 as E, F and G, but when I originally installed it there was a CD as D). The XP install pops up, and I can see the CD mounted on F, but the scannow application doesn't seem to detect it. Is there a switch I can add to tell it to look for the CD in drive F?
LeeTutor: When I tried this, I end up getting stuck with a dialog box asking me to put the Windows disk in. It is the original XP installation disk but the CD drive is not the same (I now have 3 as E, F and G, but when I originally installed it there was a CD as D). The XP install pops up, and I can see the CD mounted on F, but the scannow application doesn't seem to detect it. Is there a switch I can add to tell it to look for the CD in drive F?
ASKER
johnb6767: Tried that; didn't work. Same message after rebooting.
I also came across what looks like a pretty old tip at http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html where he makes suggestions about changing a "SourcePath" registry setting (at KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
CurrentVersion\Setup) but there is no such setting; the only thing close to it at that location is ""Installation Sources" which seems to have a number of different paths, including "F:\" and "E:\" and some other paths for drivers I no longer have on the system.
I'm nervous about making registry setting changes...
I also came across what looks like a pretty old tip at http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html where he makes suggestions about changing a "SourcePath" registry setting (at KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
CurrentVersion\Setup) but there is no such setting; the only thing close to it at that location is ""Installation Sources" which seems to have a number of different paths, including "F:\" and "E:\" and some other paths for drivers I no longer have on the system.
I'm nervous about making registry setting changes...
From this page:
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
Other Problems with scannow sfc...
#1
Has the CD Drive's drive letter changed (perhaps by the addition of another hard drive, partition, or removable drive) since Windows XP was first installed? If so, simply edit the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
CurrentVersion\Setup\Sourc
Or, as most of the article is devoted to, you could copy your CD's i386 folder to your hard drive and then make the registry changes so that instead of asking for your CD, it will get the contents from your hard drive.
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html
Other Problems with scannow sfc...
#1
Has the CD Drive's drive letter changed (perhaps by the addition of another hard drive, partition, or removable drive) since Windows XP was first installed? If so, simply edit the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
CurrentVersion\Setup\Sourc
Or, as most of the article is devoted to, you could copy your CD's i386 folder to your hard drive and then make the registry changes so that instead of asking for your CD, it will get the contents from your hard drive.
ASKER
I guess our comments crossed here LeeTutor!
Since the registry key quoted does not have a "SourcePath" setting, can I just add one or is that not a good idea?
The appwiz.cpl file in the system32/dllcache directory is identical to the one in the system32 directory and both are dated 2004-08 -- which is the same as the appwiz.pdb.cpl file on the XP Service Pack 2 CD I have. The file date on the XP Installation CD is 2001, but the scannow doesn't accept the SP2 CD when the dialog box pops up. Even if I were to get the CD issue resolved, wouldn't that just put in the older version? And how then would I get the SP2 version?
This just seems to get more complicated...
Since the registry key quoted does not have a "SourcePath" setting, can I just add one or is that not a good idea?
The appwiz.cpl file in the system32/dllcache directory is identical to the one in the system32 directory and both are dated 2004-08 -- which is the same as the appwiz.pdb.cpl file on the XP Service Pack 2 CD I have. The file date on the XP Installation CD is 2001, but the scannow doesn't accept the SP2 CD when the dialog box pops up. Even if I were to get the CD issue resolved, wouldn't that just put in the older version? And how then would I get the SP2 version?
This just seems to get more complicated...
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Okay, well I don't think I want to risk that right now as this is a production system and I just can't afford more down time trying to figure this out right now. I thought it would be a fairly straightforward problem but I guess I'll have to set aside some time to wade through things. Arghh! I wish Microsoft had less arcane error messages...
I'll get back to this within a couple of days.
I'll get back to this within a couple of days.
Hi, EricFletcher, it's been about a week longer than "a couple of days." Any luck?
ASKER
If I choose not to re-install WinXP, I'll use this method, but I suspect I'll just upgrade to Vista instead. Thanks for the help.
ASKER
No, sorry. I had an unexpected trip to the west coast for a family crisis, and am still out here...
There appear to be other problems that may be related: USB drives are no longer identified when they are plugged in, and some oddball printer drivers appeared from somewhere. My system is normally quite secure and managed, but a teenager recently had access to it so who knows what might have happened.
The cleaner program really messed up my registry and lost all kinds of settings I rely on, so I had to restore the backup I'd wisely made first. I hate the idea of having to reinstall WinXP because it'll take ages to catch up on all the updates and fixes over my relatively slow connection.
I think this would be a good time to switch to Vista...
Thanks for the help in any case.
There appear to be other problems that may be related: USB drives are no longer identified when they are plugged in, and some oddball printer drivers appeared from somewhere. My system is normally quite secure and managed, but a teenager recently had access to it so who knows what might have happened.
The cleaner program really messed up my registry and lost all kinds of settings I rely on, so I had to restore the backup I'd wisely made first. I hate the idea of having to reinstall WinXP because it'll take ages to catch up on all the updates and fixes over my relatively slow connection.
I think this would be a good time to switch to Vista...
Thanks for the help in any case.
Well, there is a fix on how to remove the programs. Install CCleaner (www.cleaner.com) and use the "Add/Remove" tool that is integrated in that program.
Regards,
psyclown-