control panel hangs up

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raslan

TRY PROVIDING US WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR HARDWARE PROFILE AND THE PROGRAMS YOU'RE RUNNING AT START UP.
IF THIS IS NOTPOSSIBLE, TRY LOADING YOUR WINDOWS WITH SAFE MODE, IF NO PROBLEMS OCCUR, THEN THE PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY A PROGRAM RUNNING AT START-UP.
LET ME KNOW IF THAT WORKS

ASKER

Bud,
Renamed explorer.exe explorer.old
extracted a new copy
oops, I installed MSIE4.0 the dates on the explorer do not agree. The old version from 7-11-95 does not show any desktop item, only wallpaper.
New version was in \i386\en\ie40\ie4_s2.cab
Booted, error message says cannot run program. Needs more conventional memory (I have 16MB total) and suggests to adjust setting in control panel....which I now cannot get to.
removed real-mode drivers for CD-ROM
cold booted
no help
booted in safe mode
still says it needs more memory...

i'm stuck
wstewart@klt-tele.com (my other PC)

Cheers,
Wes

Well,
1st, get rid of the new extracted explorer.exe and rename the old back to .exe.

let me know what happens.

We wanted to change the Explorer.exe in C:\Windows

Bud

ASKER

Bud,
Hmmm, I found that the new extracted explorer was not the same filesize as the previous one.
I got a copy from another PC known to be good that was the same file size as the old one.
The new one was 1.45MB the old 166kb both had same date.
The file I grabbed from my alternate PC (after doing the IE4.0 upgrade was 166kb, a match for the old one.
YES!, We have desktop icon.
The control panel did come up (only about 1/2 sec flashlight)and still does not close.
(minimizes ,command bar button "pushed") Task list says CLOSE PROGRAM Control Panel(not responding)EndTask get me another box asking to confirm EndTask,After 3-5 secs, the desktop icon go away, explore refreshes, system tray icons go away and system performs fairly normal.
Shutdown was oddly normal this time.
Cheers,
Wes

Hey Wes, Strange they should have the same date.

I'm lost on what youre trying to tell me right after, "YES!, We have desktop icon."
Here's what i understand;
1. Control panel opens OK.
2. It will not close normally.
3. If you go to CTRL+ALT+DEL and try to end task, it does that ok, but you lose your
system tray icons???
4. Shutdown did not hang.

Have I got it?

Bud

Oh yea,
Please tell me the vitals your system, ie; cpu make and model,
How much ram , pci, type of mouse, video adapter, network, what
kind of Network Adapter, significant software and anything you can
think of. Operating System and version. Updates, Service Packs.
Do you have or did have IE4X and ACTIVE DESKTOP?
There are many variables and we could spend weeks trying to solve
something while I don't know what we're working with. :)

Regards,
Bud

ASKER

Bud,
First, a clarification. The explorer came up normally.Before, I had only wallpaper, now shortcuts, programs etc.
COntrol Panel still hangs up on close. EndTask will force a close.
System:Toshiba 205CDS P-100, 16MB ram,PS\2 mouse,C&T video
Win95 4.00.950
MS-Plus installed
IE40 (don't know if active desktop, but I think I did take that option)
Here's the system.ini (relavant parts)
;comm.drv=COMM.DRV
[power.drv]
PowerStatus=1

[386Enh]
device=c:\windows\MF.EXE
device=VTPNPD.386
EmmExclude=D000-DFFF
device=*vshare
device=*dynapage
device=*vcd
device=*vpd
device=*int13
display=*vdd,*vflatd
mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
device=*vpowerd
woafont=dosapp.fon
VTPNPD=Installed
keyboard=*vkd
device=*enable

[drivers]
vpm=chipsvpm.dll
midi=mmsystem.dll
wave=mmsystem.dll
VIDC.MSVC=msvidc.drv
VIDC.IV32=ir32.dll
VIDC.IV31=IR32.dll
VIDC.MRLE=MSRLE.drv
VIDC.RT21=ir21_r.dll
VIDC.YVU9=ir21_r.dll
wavemapper=*.drv
MSACM.imaadpcm=*.acm
MSACM.msadpcm=*.acm

[vcache]

[nwnp32]

[boot.description]
keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
aspect=100,96,96
display.drv=Chips And Technologies, Accelerator (new)
mouse.drv=Standard mouse
system.drv=Standard PC

[keyboard]
subtype=
type=4
keyboard.dll=
oemansi.bin=

[display]

[drivers32]
vidc.CVID=iccvid.dll
VIDC.IV31=ir32_32.dll
VIDC.IV32=ir32_32.dll
vidc.MSVC=msvidc32.dll
VIDC.MRLE=msrle32.dll
MSACM.msg711=msg711.acm
VIDC.IV41=ir41_32.dll
VIDC.YVU9=iyvu9_32.dll
msacm.lhacm=lhacm.acm
MSACM.MSNAUDIO=msnaudio.acm
MSACM.imaadpcm=imaadp32.acm
MSACM.msadpcm=msadp32.acm
MSACM.msgsm610=msgsm32.acm
MSACM.trspch=tssoft32.acm

[WINRECWINDSP]
Driver=windspli.dll
Address=345

[Debug]
OutputTo=NUL

[ScannerParameters]

[boot]
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
shell=Explorer.exe
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
*DisplayFallback=0
;comm.drv=COMM.DRV

and a device log
"setuplog.txt"
"from bootlog.txt"

---------- bootlog.txt
[12][000F280C] LoadFailed = C:\CARDWORK\CSALLOC.EXE
[95][000F2890] LoadFailed = ndis2sup.vxd
[105][000F28A6] LoadFailed = vserver.vxd
[109][000F28A8] LoadFailed = c:\windows\MF.EXE
[113][000F28AB] LoadFailed = vshare

---------- bootlog.txt

---------- bootlog.txt
[271][000F28E7] Dynamic load success chips95.vxd
[275][000F28EC] Dynamic load success PCCARD.vxd
[279][000F28EF] Dynamic load success SocketSv.vxd
[281][000F28FA] Dynamic load success PCCARD.vxd
[283][000F28FE] Dynamic load success SocketSv.vxd
[287][000F2909] Dynamic load success mmdevldr.vxd
[291][000F290D] Dynamic load success es688.vxd
[295][000F2912] Dynamic load success dsound.vxd
[297][000F2916] Dynamic load success mmdevldr.vxd
[301][000F291A] Dynamic load success vjoyd.vxd
[306][000F2936] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\apix.vxd
[308][000F2937] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\cdfs.vxd
[310][000F2937] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\cdtsd.vxd
[312][000F2937] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\disktsd.vxd
[314][000F2939] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\cdvsd.vxd
[316][000F293A] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\diskvsd.vxd
[318][000F293B] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\necatapi.vxd
[320][000F293C] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\voltrack.vxd
[322][000F293F] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\drvspacx.vxd
[324][000F2940] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\atapchng.vxd
[326][000F2940] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\scsi1hlp.vxd
[328][000F2941] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\torisan3.vxd
[330][000F2942] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\iomega.vxd
[332][000F2944] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\rmm.pdr
[334][000F2945] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\IOSUBSYS\bigmem.drv
[357][000F2963] Dynamic load success lmouse.vxd
[368][000F2976] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\serial.vxd
[372][000F2976] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\serial.vxd
[389][000F29DB] Dynamic load success pppmac.vxd
[393][000F29DD] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\spap.vxd
[397][000F29E2] Dynamic load success snip.vxd
[401][000F29F9] Dynamic load success netbeui.vxd
[405][000F29FC] Dynamic load success vtdi.386
[409][000F2A00] Dynamic load success vip.386
[413][000F2A04] Dynamic load success vtcp.386
[417][000F2A08] Dynamic load success vdhcp.386
[421][000F2A0C] Dynamic load success vnbt.386
[425][000F2A11] Dynamic load success vserver.vxd
[572][000F2A88] Dynamic load success serenum.vxd
[574][000F2A89] Dynamic load success serenum.vxd
[578][000F2A89] Dynamic load success lptenum.vxd
[582][000F2A8A] Dynamic load success serwave.vxd
[587][000F2A8B] Dynamic load success C:\WINDOWS\system\serial.vxd
[589][000F2A94] Dynamic load success mmdevldr.vxd
[591][000F2A94] Dynamic load success serwave.vxd

---------- bootlog.txt
"from detlog.txt"

---------- detlog.txt

---------- detlog.txt
[15]Detected: *PNP0C01\0000 = [1] System board
[18]Detected: *PNP0C00\0000 = [2] Plug and Play BIOS
[20]Detected: *PNP0C05\0000 = [3] Advanced Power Management support
[2329]Devices detected: 0

---------- detlog.txt
I know what the loadfail MF is,but do not understand what vshare is all about.

Cheers,
Wes

vshare may have loaded earlier, this often happens. It's get's loaded then tries to load later and reports load filed.

Look on your system resistry for vshare.vxd

also see if it's in
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VSHARE]
"StaticVxD"="*VSHARE"
"Start"=hex:00

Or
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\control\VMM32Files Run
------------
Vshare tales the place of share.exe with a virtual driver. That's what vxd's are.

Run the shutdown troubleshooter at
http://support.microsoft.com/support/tshoot/tshooterlist.asp?PR=w95
Windows 95: Solving Problems Starting or Shutting Down Windows 95

I'll be back.
Bud

The flashlight indicates a file association problem:
Go to Windows\inf\shell.inf and right click on the inf file,
then Click Install. This resets all associations to their default. I did this
and it worked like a charm.

ASKER

Bud,
I tried the troubleshooter, got
AP GTS Server Error
Thread Count Exceeded, Request Cannot be Processed, please try again
Using two different PC's.

Did the install of shell.inf,
Found vshare.vxd
Found StaticVxD="*vshare"
Found start=hex:00
Also under ...vmm32files

Still no help with control panel shutdown.
Normal shutdown (exit windows) does seem to work better. Tried boot-up,restart,restart, restart as DOS
Restart as DOS looks for a command.com that does not exist. Used to exist on another company's server.
This might be problem with shutdown too, when attached to network, just don't see message box.
Logged off network, was able to shutdown. So what file or setting tells the PC to look for command.com on the server?

Cheers,
Wes

Without network:OK,

Ok, you need "dosprmpt.pif"
--------
To extract from CD,
1st Change Directories to the X:\WIN95> prompt, where X is your
CD-ROM's drive letter. Then type the following: Note that this is an example.
EXTRACT /A /L C:\Windows\System WIN95_02.CAB [filename]
/A tells your computer to start looking for file at the beginning; WIN95_02.CAB
/L tells it what location you want the file to go.

YOUR LINE IS
X:\WIN95>EXTRACT /A /L C:\Windows WIN95_02.CAB dosprmpt.pif
AND
X:\WIN95>EXTRACT /A /L C:\Windows\Command WIN95_02.CAB Command.com
-------------------
make a shortcut is your start menu programs and in the programs tab should read;
1st box......MS-DOS Prompt
cmd line C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
working C:\WINDOWS

Be sure to click apply.

If you are on a network, maybe you systems administrator has tried to keep people out of the Control Panel?????

Giz, try this! (recently MS published problems with active desktop)

Go to control panel, add/remove programs, click on IE 4.0 components and open it and just remove the desktop component. I believe this will end the shutdown problem.

Dennis

ASKER

Bud and Dennis,
The system administrator is me. On the last network, we needed a parameter set that would allow the PC access to command.com while you were doing work on a network drive. It's been too long since I did the configuration. I think it was something in the login script.
Command.com was not in the windows\command directory. It was not,oddly enough,in the cab file either. I got it from the boot-up disk I made when first installed windows. Should be the same,eh?
I removed the desktop part of MSIE4.0 and Yeeha! the control panel closes correctly now.
The only remaining problem is that the system is looking for command.com on a network drive when I ask for a restart in MS-dos mode. Command.com is in the windows\command directory and the path statement refers to windows\command as well.
Since io.sys by default has the shell=command.com/p option, this means that the command.com has been unloaded or redirected by another setting somewhere.But where?

Cheers,
Wes

ASKER

Dennis and Bud,

OOPS!, since I remove the dsktop option, I lost my TCPIP internet connection. When I double click IE4, the message box says that the MSN dial-up is missing. I don't use MSN, rather connect through our server gateway. I checked the tcpip setings and they are OK....and ping works as advertised.
TCPIP is bound to ethernet card.
DNS is unchanged (settings)
Now closing control panel causes explorer to have invalid page fault in module KERNEL32.dll at 0137:bff798e9.
Nuts! On a side note, my INF directory has dissappeared.

Cheers,
Wes

ASKER

Dennis and Bud,

OK, found the INF. Microsoft took it upon themselves to set my options to hide registered files.
So, since I removed the desktop option, I thought I would re-associate the control panel items.I did this. No help.
Cheers,
Wes

ASKER

Dennis and Bud,
I made a new MSIE40 shortcut to c:\program files\plus\microsoft internet\iexplorer.exe
When I use this shortcut, I get to the web normally, but the properties page isn't like it used to be (with the tabs along to top)
cheers,
Wes

Have not forgot you.
I'll be back

You message from Friday, April 10 1998 - 06:33AM PDT

says all is well, what happened.

ASKER

Bud,
I dunno. I rebooted...cold,warm,etc.
Open the control panel, it comes up in less than 1 sec.
Close it, and get an error which says there's an invalid page fault or some such thing per previous message. By the way, the system tray icons disappear at some point during the close control panel process.
I can bring the control panel back up and shut it down a second time without getting an error.Something to do with system tray maybe?

Cheers,
Wes

Wes, at a dos prompt type
C:\>SET > SET.TXT [enter]

Then look in you root directory for set.txt and post it.

Regards,
Bud

ASKER

Bud,

Here you go:
TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
PROMPT=$p$g
winbootdir=C:\WINDOWS
COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
windir=C:\WINDOWS
BLASTER=A240 I5 D0
PATH=X:\PUBLIC;W:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\DOS;Z:\;Y:\PUBLIC

And the system looks for command.com on R:\public\ibm\v7.0 when I get the reboot to DOS error.

cheers,
Wes

Giz, you can fix the tool bars in IE 4.x by clicking view\toolbars.

I think it's time to re-establish what is and what isn't working, as the thread is getting exceptionally long.
Dennis

Good idea Dennis,

Wes, tell us exactly where we stand now.
Bud

Do you still see the "Flashligh animation"??

Bud

ASKER

Bud and Dennis,

We have all but eliminated the red herrings relating to IE4.0.
I now remain with two basic problems, essentially unchanged since the start.
1. control panel :(right after start this morning a new baseline)
flashlight animation takes about 2-3 secs to establish control panel window. Control panel appeared to close out normally.
Tried to open control panel again, did not open. Explorer (on task list) not responding. Ended task. Desktop rebuilt,but without system tray. Opened control panel again. Opened right away.Closed. Tried to open again, Explorer not responding, (systray on tasklist, but no icons)

2.SHUTDOWN|Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode (when connected to server) always looks for command.com on a network drive that does not exist and in fact refers to a path unique to a server from another server this PC was attached to about 2 years ago.

HOW THE PC WORKS WHEN NOT CONNECTED TO SERVER:
same way both items.

Cheers,

Wes

ASKER

Bud and Dennis,

I have just solved the exit to DOS problem,here's how:
Performed a search on the path that the message box referred to,
found a shortcut called "exit to dos".
The command line referred to the old path from a previous LAN. Replaced command line with c:\command.com and was able to exit with only a minor problem on the zip drive loading real mode driver and finding letter for zip drive.(trivial)

One problem gone and I feel good about the fix.
Cheers,
Wes

Wes, change that command.com line to C:\Windows or whichever drive Win 95 is installed to.

Next, make sure these two directories are called in the autoexec.bat path statement:

C:\Windows;C:\Windows\Command

Use your drive letter for "C" if different.
Dennis

Good work GIZ.
You should feel good.

Dennis, I'm sure you saw Giz's comspec.
TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
PROMPT=$p$g
winbootdir=C:\WINDOWS
COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
windir=C:\WINDOWS
BLASTER=A240 I5 D0
PATH=X:\PUBLIC;W:\;C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\DOS;Z:\;Y:\PUBLIC

Must hurry away
finish

ASKER

Bud and Dennis,

I still have the control panel problem, the exit to DOS is fixed.

Cheers,
Wes

What fixed the Exit to Dos?

Bud

ASKER

Bud,
Exit to DOS was fixed by changing a command reference in the shortcut which Windows95 appearantly calls at the time you tell the PC to shutdown|restart in MS-dos mode.
(I found several other ms-dos related shortcuts too-- dos-prompt,exit to dos et al). All but our culprit was referenced to \windows\command\command.com

Control Panel problems are all that remain unfixed.

Cheers,
Wes

ASKER

The flashlight indicates an association problem as i've said.
Do this:
1. Double Click "My Computer".
2. Click View
3. Click Options
4. Click "File Types" Tab
5. Choose New
6. In the "Description Of Type" box enter "Control Panel Extension"
7. In the "Associated Extension" box enter "cpl"
8. Click the "New" button and in the 'Action" box enter "Open with Control Panel"
9. Enter in the "Application used to Perform Action" box "C:\WINDOWS\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL %1,%*"
10. OK your way out.

Let me know.
Backup you registry 1st
Bud

ASKER

Bud,

Cannot perform instructions. When I attempt to create NEW,Message box says that:
"The extension '.cpl' is already in use by file type 'cplfile'.Choose another extension"

Plan B?

Cheers,
Wes

ASKER

Bud,
I checked the existing Control Panel extension 'file type' setting. It says exactly what you said to enter in the Application used... section.

Cheers,
Wes

Giz,
You should then see this in you registry;
==============
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cplfile]
@="Control Panel extension"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cplfile\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\shell32.dll,-154"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cplfile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cplfile\shell\cplopen]
@="Open with Control Panel"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\cplfile\shell\cplopen\command]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL %1,%*"
============AND
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\cplfile]
@="Control Panel extension"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\cplfile\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\shell32.dll,-154"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\cplfile\shell]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\cplfile\shell\cplopen]
@="Open with Control Panel"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\cplfile\shell\cplopen\command]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL %1,%*"
=======================

let me know
Bud

ASKER

Bud,

Everything was exactly as you said in last comment.

Cheers,
Wes

Do you have a HP LaserJet?
Bud

I do Giz, what do you need?
Dennis

ASKER

Bud,
Yes, I have a laserjet.
Cheers,
Wes

Have you patched to 2.0.1? This is on the fix list for the 2.0.1 patch.
It's available at ftp.support.apple.com.

I've found that many HP laserjets will cause Control panel hang ups with this the old
HP laserjets drivers. Most offten during setup.
No explaination, just the fix.
I would either remove then reinstall your printer and driver, or get the newer driver patch.

Bud

Giz,
Will you post you list if .cpl's
Also, I know in your question you the clp's. Please try renaming them one by one, we may find a bad cpl.
Plus early in this thread I asked at what point does you windows shutdown hang. Unless I missed it, i don't remember an answer.

As far as hangs go, there are many answers.
Programmed Input/Output. There are PIO Modes 1 through 4 (unless
someone's come out with a Mode 5 recently); the higher the mode, the
more "intelligently" the drive will work and the better throughput
you'll get. The newest hard drives can handle Mode 4, but on some
occasions this causes errors and conflicts. The mode is set in the BIOS,
and "turning it down a notch" to, say, Mode 3 can resolve some problems.
Go into the CMOS on startup and look for the setting for the hard
drive. It is usually set to AUTO, but settings of PIO 0, PIO 1, PIO 2
PIO 3, and PIO 4 are possible from slowest to fastest.

Of course do these things one at a time.
Bud

Giz,
Solving Problems Starting or Shutting Down Windows 95

Is there a memory conflict in the upper memory area?

[ To determine if the problem is being caused by a memory conflict that
still exists when Emm386.exe is not loaded from the Config.sys file,
follow these steps:

1.Click the Start button, click Run, type "sysedit" (without quotation marks)
in the Open box, and then click OK.
2.Click the Config.sys window.
3.In the Config.sys file, make sure the following lines exist in this order:
device=c:\windows\himem.sys device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems x=a000-f7ff
4.Save the Config.sys file, and then exit System Configuration Editor.
5.Restart the computer, then shut down Windows 95 and wait for Windows 95
to shut down.

If Windows 95 shuts down properly, the problem may be caused by a memory
conflict that still exists when Emm386.exe is not loaded from
the Config.sys file. For information about determining the exact location of
the memory conflict, please see the following article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base: , Locating and Excluding RAM/ROM Addresses in the
UMA (Q112816)

Bud

Giz,
Please go to
http://support.microsoft.com/support/tshoot/tshooterlist.asp?PR=w95
check mark;
Windows 95: Solving Problems Starting or Shutting Down Windows 95
and run that troubleshooter.
I believe these problems are related.

Bud

ASKER

Bud,

I did the troubleshooter.
No help.
The system does shut down fine as long as the control panel has not been opened.
Symptoms still point to control panel not closing (window goes away,but some piece of program still active)for whatever reason.

Cheers,
Wes

Gis,
Please get this. It will show you things that are running in the background that no other app will.
very small and unintrusive. I have it on all day long.
See and download at http://www.execpc.com/~sbd/ OR http://www.execpc.com/~sbd/DLLShow.html
DLL Show for Windows 95 is a small utility that displays a list of all tasks and processes currently
running on your MS Windows 95 system.
I like it better than Norton Utilities Resource meter.
It shows how much ram is used, when ram is used up it shows where your
swapfile takes over and how much free. and GDI.

We need to see if somethings running we don't know about.
Bud

Giz, try these tests on your system and let me know the results!

Start Control Panel from My Computer instead of from the shortcut to CONTROL.EXE.

-OR-

Create a shortcut to Control Panel from the Control Panel icon in My Computer.

1. Double-click My Computer.

2. Drag the Control Panel icon from My Computer to the desktop.

3. When you are prompted whether you want to create a shortcut, choose Yes.

Double-click this shortcut to start Control Panel.

Giz, Check to see if all these files exist on your system, and if you want to take the time
I recommend you extract new ones from your 95 CD.
--------
EXPLORER.EXE      217088      9/17/1997      c:\windows\
ADVAPI32.DLL      57344      3/22/1997      c:\windows\system\
COMCTL32.DLL      389120      3/22/1997      c:\windows\system\
COMDLG32.DLL      110592      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
GDI32.DLL      151552      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
KERNEL32.DLL      425984      2/2/1996      c:\windows\system\
LINKINFO.DLL      36864      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
MAIN.CPL      81920      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
MPR.DLL       61440      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
MSVCRT20.DLL      282624      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
OLE32.DLL      557056      1/25/1996      c:\windows\system\
RPCRT4.DLL      221184      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
SHELL32.DLL      831488      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
USER32.DLL      61440      8/24/1996      c:\windows\system\
WINMM.DLL      65536      8/24/1996      c:\windows\system\
=============ALSO THESE FOR RUNDLL32.EXE
RUNDLL32.EXE      24576      7/11/1995      c:\windows\
ADVAPI32.DLL      57344      3/22/1997      c:\windows\system\
COMCTL32.DLL      389120      3/22/1997      c:\windows\system\
GDI32.DLL      151552      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
KERNEL32.DLL      425984      2/2/1996      c:\windows\system\
SHELL32.DLL      831488      7/11/1995      c:\windows\system\
USER32.DLL      61440      8/24/1996      c:\windows\system\

Bud

ASKER

Bud,

Are these 950 or 950B(OSR2)?
I have 950.

Cheers,
Wes

4.00.950, the original.
That's what I have.
RUNDLL32.EXE is your 32-bit Shell component.
You can add "CONTROL.EXE" to that list.

If you go to WINDOWS\CONTROL.EXE and double click it it will open your Control Panel.

We could re-install if you're so inclined.

Bud

ASKER

Bud,

A batch file yoou can distribute to do the job.
first: results....

ADVAPI32 DLL 41,472 11-18-97 12:00a ADVAPI32.DLL

COMCTL32 DLL 449,296 11-18-97 12:00a COMCTL32.

COMDLG32 DLL 92,672 07-11-95 9:50a COMDLG32.

GDI32 DLL 131,072 07-11-95 9:50a GDI32.DLL

KERNEL32 DLL 411,136 07-11-95 9:50a KERNEL32.DLL

LINKINFO DLL 13,824 07-11-95 9:50a LINKINFO.

MAIN CPL 67,584 07-11-95 9:50a MAIN.CPL

MPR DLL 40,448 07-11-95 9:50a MPR.DLL

MSVCRT20 DLL 253,952 07-11-95 9:50a MSVCRT20.

OLE32 DLL 740,112 11-18-97 12:00a OLE32.DLL

RPCRT4 DLL 309,520 11-18-97 12:00a RPCRT4.DLL

SHELL32 DLL 817,664 07-11-95 10:50a SHELL32.

USER32 DLL 44,544 07-11-95 9:50a USER32.DLL
1 file(s) 44,544 bytes
0 dir(s) 72,777,728 bytes free

WINMM DLL 49,152 07-11-95 9:50a WINMM.DLL

RUNDLL32 EXE 8,192 07-11-95 9:50a RUNDLL32.

ADVAPI32 DLL 41,472 11-18-97 12:00a ADVAPI32.DLL
1 file(s) 41,472 bytes
0 dir(s) 72,777,728 bytes free

COMCTL32 DLL 449,296 11-18-97 12:00a COMCTL32.DLL

GDI32 DLL 131,072 07-11-95 9:50a GDI32.DLL
1 file(s) 131,072 bytes
0 dir(s) 72,777,728 bytes free

KERNEL32 DLL 411,136 07-11-95 9:50a KERNEL32.DLL

SHELL32 DLL 817,664 07-11-95 10:50a SHELL32.DLL

USER32 DLL 44,544 07-11-95 9:50a USER32.DLL

then the batch (i wish I could get the entries to have only the essentials I had to edit out the volume name and that sort of stuff)

c:
cd\windows\system

dir ADVAPI32.DLL>vercheck.txt
dir COMCTL32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir COMDLG32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir GDI32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir KERNEL32.dll >>vercheck.txt
dir LINKINFO.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir MAIN.CPL>>vercheck.txt
dir MPR.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir MSVCRT20.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir OLE32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir RPCRT4.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir SHELL32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir USER32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir WINMM.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir c:\windows\RUNDLL32.exe>>vercheck.txt
dir ADVAPI32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir COMCTL32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir GDI32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir KERNEL32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir SHELL32.DLL>>vercheck.txt
dir USER32.DLL>>vercheck.txt

So what do you think?
Certain not what I would expect for 4.950 eh?
Cheers,
Wes

Well Giz, I'm not sure what I'm looking at here.
Would you explain this to me.

Bud

ASKER

Bud,

The first part is a directory listing a comparison of the file sizes and dates with those you sent me. Each line lists the file that I have in my system along with the file information. It looks like precious few files are the same as your list and I was wondering if any of the dates or sizes rang the proverbial bell as to what they might intuit or how to procede.

The second part is a batch file that I designed which gleens information from the directories and collects it in a handy text file. I gave this to you so that if you ever ask anyone else what their date and file size is on those particular files, they can make the comment's text into a batch file, run it and get results faster. If you send me an email address, I will also send you a batch file which gleans inportant information regarding load fails from all of the .log files on the system.

Considering the poor results of comparison, I am thinking of copying the windows directory to the zip drive and then reinstalling windows. Your opinion?

Cheers,
Wes

Ok, Yea I'll take the batch file.
smeebud@gte.net.

Asfar as the dates and sizes go, those come from a "File Dependency list' generated with
DllShow.
DllShow.Zip
[File Dependencies, Printout and Excellent Resource Meter.]
See and download at http://www.execpc.com/~sbd/ OR http://www.execpc.com/~sbd/DLLShow.html
DLL Show for Windows 95 is a small utility that displays a list of all tasks and processes currently running on your MS Windows 95 system.
I like it better than Norton Utilities Resource meter.
It shows how much ram is used, when ram is used up it shows where your
swapfile takes over and how much free. and GDI. IT HAS MORE, great little utlilty.
==============
Some of my dates don't show 7/11/95, the Stamp for 4.00.950 because of some upgrades.
I think at this point a re-install of windows if a very good idea. Consider this method.
-----------
Re-Setup Using the "setup /d /p f" Switches
X:\setup /d /p f
Where X is your CD drive letter
This will cause windows 95 to re-examine your setup.
This will clean, read and rewrite your Win.ini and System.ini,
without over-writing your updated dll's vxd's extensions.
f - This switch enables Clean Registry mode. It forces Detection
to clean and correct the root branch of the registry before starting.
This switch is ignored when Setup is run in the Windows 95
graphical user interface (GUI).
When setup prompts you for "Typical or Custom Setup", choose Custom.
This allows you to have control over every step of the setup.
This will do a compare and replace missing or corrupted files and
will take you back where you were before the error.
/d - If you do not want Setup to use your existing Windows configuration
(such as your current Win.ini and System.ini files), use this switch.
To restore and adjust your windows installation try this:
From dos insert your CD and run from your cd this command...
(setup /d /p f) When setup prompts you for "Full or Custom Setup",
choose Custom. This allows you to have control over every step of the setup.
This will do a compare and replace missing or corrupted files and will take
you back where you were before the error.

This has Become a;
"Standard Procedure". It's not always a fix all, but it never
hurts to try it. I've never seen any ill effects from it yet. The
only thing I've seen it do negative is once in a while an association
or two may get lost. Which Is easy to fix. I always recommend a
Registry backup along with this for safety.
ALWAYS BACKUP YOUR REGISTRY FIRST!
Get WRP. WRPV3.ZIP is the Best and easiest Backup/Restore I've Seen.
Go To: http://www.webdev.net/orca/ Search WRP
FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE
RESTORE WINDOWS FILES/VERIFY INSTALL OPTION
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q141/8/41.asp
When you run Windows 95 Setup from within Windows 95, the
Restore Windows Files option (also known as
the Verify Install option) may not appear.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if a title in the Setuplog.txt file
contains more than 32 characters (including spaces). Titles
are also known as section headers, and begin and end with
brackets ([]).

RESOLUTION

Disable any titles containing more than 32 characters in the
Setuplog.txt file. To do so, follow these steps:

1.Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95"
message, press the F8 key, and then
choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.

2.Type the following lines at the command prompt:

attrib -h setuplog.txt
edit setuplog.txt

3.Place a semicolon (;) at the beginning of any title
containing more than 32 characters.

4.On the File menu, click Exit. Choose Yes to save the
file when you are prompted.

5.Restart the computer and then run Setup again.

MORE INFORMATION

The Restore Windows Files option includes the following
choices:

Restore Windows files that are changed or corrupted
Copy all Windows files again

Choosing the first option replaces only files that are
missing or have changed since the last time you ran Setup.
Choosing the second option replaces all files and allows
you to change the installation folder.

Note that if any of the following lines are missing from
the Setuplog.txt file, the Restore Windows Files option
will not be available in Setup:

restart=passed
started=passed
installdir=<directory>
reboot=1

Wadda you think.
Bud

Giz,
Either way, you should end up with a Windows\inf\shell.inf.
Don't know what happened to that.

Bud

ASKER

Bud,

I'll try that stuff and get back to you Fri ayem with results.

Cheers,
Wes

ASKER

Bud,
Ireinstalled Windows as you said. Interestingly enough, the install program barffed as it was closing the control panel installation and moving on to set the start-up programs.
rundll32 snagged. I ended the task and the installation moved right along.
After completing the install, I launched control panel and closed it. I launch it again and explorer hangs(not responding)
sigh.....
I think a am going to do the install again and use all of the old drivers (except the ones I know won't work because they have been updated)
Waddaya think?
Cheers,
Wes --BTW that /orca site is cool, thanks for the tip.

Giz,
That was supposed to be a Real Dos Mode setup.
it sounds like you did it from windows??

Did I not mention That??

Bud

ASKER

Bud,

I F8'd to command prompt. Had to install real-mode CD drivers. Rebooted, F8'ed to command prompt only and did the job. Did I screw up?

Cheers,
Wes

Nope,
This is very strange. It's as is the Control panel has a strangle hold over you system.
If you are up to it, before your {argg] Re-format,
1. export your registry and save it as BEFORE.REG. Keep that some where that won't be
destroyed, the run the setup /d /p f
then save a AFTER.REG

LIne problems gotta go.
Bud

Giz,
You must see this this for troubles.

http://www.slip.net/~gregoryn/

Bud.

ASKER

Bud,

I have created a psuedo control panel as a work-around.
New folder on desktop contains a collection of shortcuts to .cpl files that I use most often. Individually, they work fine. I could probably go on forever with the work-around but when I upgrade to a bigger HD, I will reformat and go through the drill again.
Your grade for effort is an A. This is a really bizzare problem.
Since the thread is so long, I will let it close, and reopen when I do the upgrade. You have been terrific.
Cheers,
Wes (gizmorama@aol.com)

Giz,
For people that don't want to Start from scratch, [and many don't including myself]
that's a great workaround.
I'll have to remember that.
This is one of those problems that I've yet to see 1 solid solution for.
Good work.

Wish I had a magic wand::))

Good working with you.
Regards,
Bud

Hi Giz,
i just found this. Even though you're not getting Fatal Exception Errors, I think that may just be luck. All other sysmtoms are the same.
Please readthis and try it. I'd love to know the results.

Fatal Exception Error When Opening or Closing Control Panel
Last reviewed: February 26, 1998 Article ID: Q175211 The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

If you have installed a scanner on your computer, the following symptoms may occur:

When you attempt to open or close Control Panel, you may receive the following error message:

A fatal exception OE has occurred at 0028:C029F7A1 in VXD IFSMGR(04) + 0000D4F1.

The current application will be terminated.

After receiving this error message, you can still use Control Panel, but the Speaker icon may no longer
appear on the taskbar. This behavior may also occur in Safe mode.

- When you start Windows 95, you may receive the following error message:

A fatal exception OE has occurred at 028:C0282dB0 in VxD IFSMGR(03) + 0000 CF7C

The current application will be terminated.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Vhpscand.vxd file is located in the Windows\System folder instead of
the Windows\System\Iosubsys folder.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:

1.Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer.

2.On the Tools menu, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders.

3.In the Named box, type "vhpscand.vxd" (without quotation marks), and then click Find Now.

4.If the Vhpscand.vxd file is located in the Windows\System folder, right-click the Vhpscand.vxd file,
and then click Cut.

5.Right-click the Windows\System\Iosubsys folder, and then click Paste.

6.Restart your computer.

Regards
Bud

ASKER

Bud,

Nope, no Vhpscand.* on my PC. I wonder if there are other *.vxd files with a similar effect?

Volume in drive G has no label

Directory of G:\AOL30

CHIPS95 VXD 26,845 01-20-97 1:29a CHIPS95.VXD
1 file(s) 26,845 bytes

Directory of G:\Tools_95

IOMEGA VXD 19,151 04-10-97 5:30a IOMEGA.VXD
IMGDET VXD 12,288 04-10-97 5:30a Imgdet.Vxd
2 file(s) 31,439 bytes

Directory of G:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM

ENABLE4 VXD 21,629 07-11-95 9:50a ENABLE4.VXD
VFD VXD 5,857 07-11-95 9:50a VFD.VXD
ENABLE2 VXD 25,154 07-11-95 9:50a ENABLE2.VXD
SERIAL VXD 18,572 07-11-95 9:50a SERIAL.VXD
LPT VXD 35,487 07-11-95 9:50a LPT.VXD
SERENUM VXD 19,899 07-11-95 9:50a SERENUM.VXD
UNIMODEM VXD 55,438 12-31-95 9:50a UNIMODEM.VXD
NWSP VXD 14,438 07-11-95 9:50a NWSP.VXD
SPLITTER VXD 2,596 07-11-95 9:50a SPLITTER.VXD
MMDEVLDR VXD 11,844 07-11-95 9:50a MMDEVLDR.VXD
VJOYD VXD 20,590 07-11-95 9:50a VJOYD.VXD
MSMOUSE VXD 15,804 07-11-95 9:50a MSMOUSE.VXD
VGATEWAY VXD 42,749 07-11-95 9:50a VGATEWAY.VXD
FLS1MTD VXD 3,706 07-11-95 9:50a FLS1MTD.VXD
FLS2MTD VXD 3,810 07-11-95 9:50a FLS2MTD.VXD
PCCARD VXD 77,661 07-11-95 9:50a PCCARD.VXD
SOCKETSV VXD 9,806 07-11-95 9:50a SOCKETSV.VXD
SRAMMTD VXD 3,202 07-11-95 9:50a SRAMMTD.VXD
VMM32 VXD 808,121 04-17-98 11:54a VMM32.VXD
EISA VXD 13,669 07-11-95 9:50a EISA.VXD
LPTENUM VXD 17,179 07-11-95 9:50a LPTENUM.VXD
PCI VXD 24,535 07-11-95 9:50a PCI.VXD
PPPMAC VXD 135,264 07-11-95 9:50a PPPMAC.VXD
CHIPS95 VXD 26,845 01-20-97 1:29a CHIPS95.VXD
NDIS VXD 99,084 07-11-95 9:50a NDIS.VXD
MSSNDSYS VXD 29,932 09-24-95 4:34a MSSNDSYS.VXD
NDIS2SUP VXD 23,744 07-11-95 9:50a NDIS2SUP.VXD
CHIPSND VXD 21,069 03-20-96 1:01a CHIPSND.VXD
SERWAVE VXD 14,160 12-31-95 9:50a SERWAVE.VXD
ISAPNP VXD 18,817 07-11-95 9:50a ISAPNP.VXD
VNETBIOS VXD 27,221 07-11-95 9:50a VNETBIOS.VXD
NETBEUI VXD 45,756 07-11-95 9:50a NETBEUI.VXD
NSCL VXD 23,606 07-11-95 9:50a NSCL.VXD
NWREDIR VXD 123,963 07-11-95 9:50a NWREDIR.VXD
NWSERVER VXD 130,620 12-31-95 9:50a NWSERVER.VXD
VNETSUP VXD 19,129 07-11-95 9:50a VNETSUP.VXD
PE3NDIS VXD 30,811 07-11-95 9:50a PE3NDIS.VXD
VREDIR VXD 140,367 12-31-95 9:50a VREDIR.VXD
WSVV VXD 92,244 12-31-95 9:50a WSVV.VXD
LOGGER VXD 11,637 07-11-95 9:50a LOGGER.VXD
PARALINK VXD 23,105 07-11-95 9:50a PARALINK.VXD
LMOUSE VXD 101,995 10-31-95 7:01a LMOUSE.VXD
SSPCCRDX VXD 18,417 03-15-96 7:06p SSPCCRDX.VXD
SSCSGW VXD 17,656 03-20-96 5:14p SSCSGW.VXD
SSINTEL VXD 20,280 03-15-96 7:04p SSINTEL.VXD
SPAP VXD 9,908 07-11-95 9:50a SPAP.VXD
WSHTCP VXD 5,816 07-11-95 9:50a WSHTCP.VXD
VSERVER VXD 108,288 12-31-95 9:50a VSERVER.VXD
ES688 VXD 22,675 02-28-96 12:00a ES688.VXD
SNIP VXD 27,217 07-11-95 9:50a SNIP.VXD
FILESEC VXD 23,025 07-11-95 9:50a FILESEC.VXD
NWLINK VXD 51,001 07-11-95 9:50a NWLINK.VXD
ELPC3 VXD 29,785 07-11-95 9:50a ELPC3.VXD
WSIPX VXD 14,521 07-11-95 9:50a WSIPX.VXD
MSSP VXD 21,657 07-11-95 9:50a MSSP.VXD
WSOCK VXD 15,522 12-31-95 9:50a WSOCK.VXD
DSOUND VXD 42,943 04-09-97 6:16p DSOUND.VXD
CHIPS VXD 18,591 05-27-96 1:20p CHIPS.VXD
QUARTZ VXD 5,676 08-07-96 2:46a QUARTZ.VXD
NWNBLINK VXD 46,653 07-11-95 9:50a NWNBLINK.VXD
AFVXD VXD 25,402 07-11-95 9:50a AFVXD.VXD
SAGE VXD 9,802 11-18-97 12:00a SAGE.VXD
JAVASUP VXD 7,368 11-06-97 10:57a javasup.vxd
63 file(s) 2,933,318 bytes

Directory of G:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS

CDFS VXD 58,620 07-11-95 9:50a CDFS.VXD
CDTSD VXD 13,883 07-11-95 9:50a CDTSD.VXD
CDVSD VXD 19,120 12-31-95 9:50a CDVSD.VXD
DISKVSD VXD 10,094 07-11-95 9:50a DISKVSD.VXD
DISKTSD VXD 16,478 07-11-95 9:50a DISKTSD.VXD
NECATAPI VXD 9,929 07-11-95 9:50a NECATAPI.VXD
VOLTRACK VXD 18,518 04-10-97 5:30a VOLTRACK.VXD
ATAPCHNG VXD 11,314 12-31-95 9:50a ATAPCHNG.VXD
SCSI1HLP VXD 19,213 12-31-95 9:50a SCSI1HLP.VXD
TORISAN3 VXD 11,094 12-31-95 9:50a TORISAN3.VXD
DRVSPACX VXD 54,207 07-11-95 9:50a DRVSPACX.VXD
APIX VXD 29,404 07-11-95 9:50a APIX.VXD
IOMEGA VXD 19,151 04-10-97 5:30a IOMEGA.VXD
13 file(s) 291,025 bytes

Directory of G:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32

QEMMFIX VXD 9,787 07-11-95 9:50a QEMMFIX.VXD
MRCI2 VXD 46,746 07-11-95 9:50a MRCI2.VXD
2 file(s) 56,533 bytes

Total files listed:
81 file(s) 3,339,160 bytes
0 dir(s) 59,539,456 bytes free
Cheers,
Wes