Some Vista Personalize windows won't open

charlieccm · Nov 11, 2010

I am using Vista SP1. When I right-click the Desktop - Personalize, the following windows won't open: Screen Saver, Theme, Display Settings. The others in Personalize can open.

Please help.

richc46 · Nov 11, 2010

Welcome
Lets try the easy things first.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66978-system-files-sfc-command.html

You should update the SP, also. That can be part of the problem. SP1 is not even suported anymore.

Do you have all the updates?

Lorien · Nov 11, 2010

Please go to Start / Control Panel / Personalization and see if you can open any of those options from within Control Panel as opposed to from the desktop. I'd like to verify if the programs aren't functioning or it's just something about the desktop link.

Thanks!

charlieccm · Nov 11, 2010

Sorry, my mistake. I am using Vista SP2.

The same three windows cannot be opened from the Control Panel/Personalization.

Should I try the SFC as suggested by richc46?

richc46 · Nov 11, 2010

Yes try that and run several times if errors are found.
You will get a report of any corruption and it may be fixed.

charlieccm · Nov 12, 2010

Ran SFC scannow as in the tutorial but in the end it said it cannot do any repairs.

If I know which files are affected, maybe I can replace them from the Windows DVD (I have only SP1 DVD) without reformatting.

Do you think that it is because this registry key doesn't have paths for Themes, Screensavers and Display Settings? :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

If so, what values should I add?

richc46 · Nov 12, 2010

Get and then send us the log. It will show the problems

Open another elevated Command Prompt and paste this command into it:

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log

This will show all the files you want to see in the Command Prompt window.
Since that window is not very practical for a detailed study, you want to paste the content into a Notepad, Wordpad or Word file.
For that you right click on the Command Prompt window (any place is good) and click Select All. Then you right click anywhere in the window. Now this whole text is stored on the clipboard and you can paste it into a document file (e.g. Notepad) where you can analyze it.

Run SFC up to 3 times. Repairs may still be made.

charlieccm · Nov 12, 2010

Here is the attached file. Hope you can help.

richc46 · Nov 12, 2010

Do you have System restore points that go back before the problem started?

Do you have the Vista install DVD?

Lorien · Nov 12, 2010

Go to Windows Sidebar and right click on the top and click on Properties and uncheck the box to start at Windows Startup. Then reboot. First see if that alone resolved the problem (I doubt it - but considering the number of Sidebar errors, it is possible). If not, then run SFC again and post another report. A lot of those errors were related to Sidebar and it may be easier to find the problem if those errors aren't there (there were a few others, including one I saw concerning themes, but I think they'll be easier to isolate and not miss if we have fewer showing).

Thanks and good luck! But to be honest, it does look to me like either we need to replace some files from the disk (if the true number is reasonable) or we may need to consider a system repair/upgrade (if you have or can borrow a genuine Vista Installation Disk of the same bit-size - version doesn't matter). Then again, a simple System Restore as implied by Richard to before this started may in fact resolve the problem and is definitely worth a try if you have such a restore point.

Here's some additional informatiion about System Restore if you are able to try it: Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began. Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates.

Good luck!

richc46 · Nov 12, 2010

Lorien and I seem to agree. Follow his instructions as to the Gadgets. Then let us know if you have a DVD.

niemiro · Nov 12, 2010

Hello!

Please follow what richc46 and Lorien have said as your priority, and then follow this:

I think that this is the most interesting line:

2010-11-12 17:57:57, Info CSI 0000005d [SR] Cannot verify component files for dba062876c956a25f1d4f8086b2e73f6, Version = 6.0.6000.16908, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture neutral, VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral, manifest may be damaged (TRUE)

Please run the System Update Readiness Tool: Description of the System Update Readiness Tool for Windows Vista, for Windows Server 2008, for Windows 7, and for Windows Server 2008 R2

This is the download for you: "All supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista"

Download and install it. Once you have finished installing it, copy the C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CheckSUR.log to your Desktop, and upload it just as you did for the sfcdetails.txt. Thanks!

Richard

charlieccm · Nov 12, 2010

Thanks Lorien & richc46.

I don't use Windows Sidebar and I have disabled its startup with Windows a long time ago. So it is surprising that many errors are related to it.

I also don't use System Restore but a third party disk imaging software. I found many times that System Restore gives a message saying that restore was unsuccessful. The last image I captured with the third party software was last month and I don't know whether the problem existed then.

I do have a Windows Vista SP1 DVD (I upgraded to SP2 online) but if I run it, it will wipe out all my programs and revert to a clean installation. Any way I can use it to repair my Vista without losing SP2 or my programs?

I read that Windows 7 has less problems. Is this true? Only thing about it I dislike is the absence of the toolbar in Windows Explorer (except in Details view) that shows "name, date modified, ..."

I will follow Richard's advice as soon as I can.

richc46 · Nov 12, 2010

This may work
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html?filter[11]=Performance Maintenance
Be sure to read the information given early about SP1

From the above named section

IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP1 INSTALLED:

This will not work if you have SP1 installed unless your Vista installation DVD includes the SP1, or you create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD (See below). When the SP1 is installed, it will give Vista a newer version number than what is on the original Vista installation DVD.
You can only do a Upgrade install if the currently installed Vista is the same or older version than what is on the Vista installation DVD.
To create a Vista SP1 slipstream installation DVD to use to do a Repair (upgrade) install, see: How to Create a Vista SP1 Slipstream Installation DVD. Note that this does not always work to use for a Repair install.
Another option is to uninstall the Vista SP1, then run the Repair install and install the SP1 again afterwards. To uninstall the SP1, see: Microsoft Help and Support: How to uninstall Windows Vista SP1 as a troubleshooting step

IF YOU HAVE THE VISTA SP2 INSTALLED:

This will not work if you have SP1 and SP2 installed unless your Vista installation DVD includes SP2.
To create a Vista SP2 slipstream installation DVD to use to do a Repair (upgrade) install, see: How to Slipstream Vista SP2. Note that this does not always work to use for a Repair install.

Be sure to backup any important data you have, just in case something goes wrong during installation. You may need to reinstall some of your drivers. You do not want to do this if you are dual booting with XP and Vista was not installed as the primary boot drive. It can cause XP to not startup anymore.

Your files should not be lost but CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE LOST

niemiro · Nov 13, 2010

If you do choose to do a Repair Install (which is absolutely fine) remember to export all emails and contacts etc. from Windows Mail, because although they should not be deleted, they often are.

charlieccm · Nov 13, 2010

I have followed the steps given by niemiro and ran the System Update Readiness Tool. However, the log (see attachment) says there are no errors.

I don't think I want to do a Repair Install because it is rather complicated and there is a risk of making things worse. Since I only have a SP1 DVD but installed SP2 online, it is more difficult. But since I don't use screensavers & themes, and don't change screen resolution, I suppose I can leave things as they are.

Many thanks to all of you for your help.

niemiro · Nov 14, 2010

Hello!

The fix will probably be harder than a Repair Install, but I understand that slipstreaming Vista SP2 is difficult. We can have a shot at fixing, just to see if your computer has the information we need. Unfortunately, we are struggling to identify where dba062876c956a25f1d4f8086b2e73f6 has come from. I don't have it on my system. I extracted KB967723, but no joy still.

We need to analyse your system, to see where it has come from. Different hardware and languages, and different states of update explains why I don't happen to have this exact one. Can you please tell me what language your system is in (perhaps it is not en-us) and whether you have all updates installed? Does Windows Update work?

Right, please do the following:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/181765-elevated-command-prompt.html

Now paste in (must use Right Click > Paste, Ctrl-V does NOT work in Command Prompt) the following, one at a time, pressing enter after each one.

dir C:\Windows\Servicing\Packages /s > %UserProfile%\Desktop\log1.txt

dir C:\Windows\WinSxS /s > %UserProfile%\Desktop\log2.txt

Download the Freeware RegBak from here: Acelogix Software - Download products

Run it, and make a backup.

Navigate to C:\Windows\RegBak\{Date}\ and copy the COMPONENTS file to your Desktop.

Highlight all three files (log1.txt, log2.txt, COMPONENTS) and right click on one of them > Send to > Compressed (zipped) archive.

Now upload this zip file to Speedy Share - upload your files here

Once you have done this, copy the link, and send me a Private Message containing the link. You can PM me from this link: http://www.vistax64.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=151549

Thanks!

Richard

niemiro · Nov 14, 2010

I have received the PM, and it arrived intact. Just looking at it now. Thanks again!

niemiro · Nov 14, 2010

I have managed to identify the manifest as belonging to KB974145.

Will be right back!

niemiro · Nov 14, 2010

Hello!

I have uploaded a good copy of the manifest, downloaded and extracted from a security update found on the Microsoft Website. Please ignore it for the moment!

First I would like to confirm that your copy is actually corrupt.

OTL - Download or alternative link here and here to the Desktop. Make sure it is called OTL.exe, and nothing else.

Download OTL to your Desktop and run it.

Under the Custom Scan box paste this in:
/md5start

x86_dba062876c956a25f1d4f8086b2e73f6_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16908_none_6fafa4d8103afc8e.manifest
/md5stop

Make sure that no extra text appears due to the bullet points which I cannot remove, such as
Click the None button, followed by the Run Scan button. Do not change any settings unless otherwise told to do so. The scan wont take long.
- When the scan completes, it will open one notepad window. OTL.Txt These are saved in the same location as OTL.
- Please copy (Edit->Select All, Edit->Copy) the contents of this file, and post them here.

Thanks!

Richard

Some Vista Personalize windows won't open

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