Cannot open control panel, or other Vista components

Zelig · Feb 9, 2007, 06:26 AM

While doing some work, I tried to use the flip3d feature, and it didn't work... I discounted it as being a problem with something I had open at the time. Some time later, I realized that I couldn't open the control panel, or many other Windows components (windows update, default programs, etc.) They process will open biefly, and then close, without actually opening any windows for the most part.

I've uninstalled everything recent, and have no idea what could be causing this. It persists through reboots and regardless of open software.

The control panel is the non-opening program that actually opens a window, which consists simply of this, and stays open for about 10 seconds:

PangingJr · Feb 9, 2007, 06:45 AM

hmm, what happens when you do these things...

go to \Windows\System32 and locate any .cpl file (for example, desk.cpl, Firewall.cpl, inetcpl.cpl) R-click on it and select "Open with control panel" ?

<Windows key + R>, then in Run box enter control ?

in the Run box enter inetcpl.cpl ?

Zelig · Feb 9, 2007, 12:09 PM

Working:
desk.cpl
inetcpl.cpl work
hdwwiz.cpl
intl.cpl
main.cpl
mmsys.cpl
ncpa.cpl
nvcpl.cpl
sapi.cpl
sysdm.cpl
TabletPC.cpl
telephon.cpl
timedate.cpl
wscui.cpl

Not working:
firewall.cpl
appwiz.cpl
bthprops.cpl
collab.cpl
infocardcpl.cpl
irprops.cpl
joy.cpl (opens, then hangs)
powercfg.cpl
wmdConn.cpl

Consistently inconsistent?

jasonbourne · Feb 9, 2007, 02:10 PM

did u installed windows vista over xp if so that could be one of the reasons.

dipstick · Feb 9, 2007, 04:05 PM

Edit- Ok, fixed mine by uninstalling the DiVX Bundle. So up until now i have run into two apps/drivers that prevent the panel and apps from starting up.

DiVX Bundle
Beta release Razer Vista Drivers

Hope this helps

Zelig · Feb 10, 2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dipstick

Edit- Ok, fixed mine by uninstalling the DiVX Bundle. So up until now i have run into two apps/drivers that prevent the panel and apps from starting up.

I installed codecs sometime around when it stopped working. IIRC it was aftewards though, and they're uninstalled now, but the panel still doesn't work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonbourne

did u installed windows vista over xp if so that could be one of the reasons.

No, clean install. This makes me reluctant to simply reinstall, as if the problem happens again, and I still don't know why, I'm no better off.

EDIT: Searching for * (with anything following) in the Windows folder crashes explorer. Makes it tedious to search stuff, but maybe related?

EDIT2: And the control panel I get in safe mode:

PangingJr · Feb 10, 2007, 08:06 AM

in the old day's i would thought this had to do with the .cpl files themself and an easy fix by replacing them with new ones. but i just don't think the same with Vista since i had read a few other Vista users also says they found this probelm, however, they can't seem to find any solution.

Zelig · Feb 12, 2007, 04:07 AM

I ended up reinstalling Vista, IIRC, this is stuff I had installed last time that I haven't installed this time: Spybot, ccleaner, nero7 lite, msfn.org vista codec pack.

I'd tend to blame the codec pack, but I wasn't paying enough attention when I installed stuff to say for sure...

Searching for "*" in my windows folder still crashes explorer... not too sure about that. I've got a friend with Vista on his laptop, maybe I'll see if his does the same.

rockostar · Feb 24, 2008, 11:14 AM

I am having the very same problem; control panel opens in a windows explorer screen then dissapears, also, when i our a cd in the disk drive, the computer crashes, itunes crashes when I plug in my iPod, and several other features are not working / crash computer. I am also on Vista (Home Premium)
I noticed the problem around start Feb... but I hadnt installed anything except windows updates... which incidentaly, doesnt work now either.
I did manage to open the control panel when in safe mode, however.

Any ideas that would avoid a complete reboot of the computer?

Many Thanks,

Rockostar

BlueMak · Feb 24, 2008, 03:22 PM

Any chance it is a virus?

M.R.C. · Feb 24, 2008, 06:56 PM

I have the exact same problem, with the control panel and windows update etc etc. Also if you double click on your cd-rom drive it'll say Application not found, but you can right click and open it and run anything in it. You can still get control panel options in your explorer window on the left, but it won't actually show the control panel in the main window, only if you open a specific cpl.

This all happened after I updated my chipset drivers from the dell.com support driver update page. What the freak? Is there any way to remove the specific intel chipset drivers, and install them from the dell CD? I have XPS 420. I can't tell where the intel chipset drivers are in the device manager.

I also updated my sigmatel audio drivers from dell and flashed bios to revision A03. I don't think that would be causing the problem as much as the chipset drivers though..

**kris23** · Feb 24, 2008, 06:57 PM

that happened to me when i had bad RAM in my system.

M.R.C. · Feb 24, 2008, 08:23 PM

I'm obsessive compulsive and won't quit at something until I figure it out.. so I figured this out.

Somehow the file slsvc.exe got corrupted. slsvc.exe is the Software Licensing Service.

Enables the download, installation and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a reduced function mode.

I ran the system file checker (start - run - type "cmd" in command type "sfc /scannow" , you might need your OS dvd in to run this). I then sifted through the log it creates and found the slsvc file was corrupted and it repaired it. Then I looked up the info on slsvc and found out what it was about.

So even if yours ins't corrupted you need to have it running or it can screw up windows services like control panel, system information, and windows update. Just type services.msc in Run and scroll down to the Software Licencing (mine is just listed as slsvc because it got corrupted). Stop it if it is running and make sure it is set to Automatic, and then restart it. You might want to do the same with SL UI Notification just in case like I did.

rockostar · Feb 26, 2008, 11:46 PM

hey, my pc is working agan after I tried a solution from microsoft forums:

In the Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) run the command CHKDSK /R to scan and repair your hard-drive after the next restart.

This took hours & hours for me, but it found and repaired many "damaged clusters" and corrupt files.
Definatly worth a try if the other methods dont work for you, and beats re-installing vista any day...

Feb 9, 2007, 06:26 AM	#1
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Cannot open control panel, or other Vista components While doing some work, I tried to use the flip3d feature, and it didn't work... I discounted it as being a problem with something I had open at the time. Some time later, I realized that I couldn't open the control panel, or many other Windows components (windows update, default programs, etc.) They process will open biefly, and then close, without actually opening any windows for the most part. I've uninstalled everything recent, and have no idea what could be causing this. It persists through reboots and regardless of open software. The control panel is the non-opening program that actually opens a window, which consists simply of this, and stays open for about 10 seconds: __________________ --

Feb 9, 2007, 12:09 PM	Thread Starter #3
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Working: desk.cpl inetcpl.cpl work hdwwiz.cpl intl.cpl main.cpl mmsys.cpl ncpa.cpl nvcpl.cpl sapi.cpl sysdm.cpl TabletPC.cpl telephon.cpl timedate.cpl wscui.cpl Not working: firewall.cpl appwiz.cpl bthprops.cpl collab.cpl infocardcpl.cpl irprops.cpl joy.cpl (opens, then hangs) powercfg.cpl wmdConn.cpl Consistently inconsistent? __________________ --

Feb 9, 2007, 02:10 PM	#4
jasonbourne DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: great yarmouth uk Posts: 1,082 Rep Power: 0	did u installed windows vista over xp if so that could be one of the reasons. __________________ http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...asonBourne.jpg

Feb 9, 2007, 04:05 PM	#5
dipstick HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,609 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Edit- Ok, fixed mine by uninstalling the DiVX Bundle. So up until now i have run into two apps/drivers that prevent the panel and apps from starting up. DiVX Bundle Beta release Razer Vista Drivers Hope this helps Last edited by dipstick; Feb 9, 2007 at 06:53 PM.

Feb 12, 2007, 04:07 AM	Thread Starter #8
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I ended up reinstalling Vista, IIRC, this is stuff I had installed last time that I haven't installed this time: Spybot, ccleaner, nero7 lite, msfn.org vista codec pack. I'd tend to blame the codec pack, but I wasn't paying enough attention when I installed stuff to say for sure... Searching for "*" in my windows folder still crashes explorer... not too sure about that. I've got a friend with Vista on his laptop, maybe I'll see if his does the same. __________________ --

Feb 9, 2007, 06:45 AM	#2
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	hmm, what happens when you do these things... go to \Windows\System32 and locate any .cpl file (for example, desk.cpl, Firewall.cpl, inetcpl.cpl) R-click on it and select "Open with control panel" ? <Windows key + R>, then in Run box enter control ? in the Run box enter inetcpl.cpl ?

Feb 10, 2007, 08:06 AM	#7
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	in the old day's i would thought this had to do with the .cpl files themself and an easy fix by replacing them with new ones. but i just don't think the same with Vista since i had read a few other Vista users also says they found this probelm, however, they can't seem to find any solution.

Feb 24, 2008, 11:14 AM	#9
rockostar DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Snap! I am having the very same problem; control panel opens in a windows explorer screen then dissapears, also, when i our a cd in the disk drive, the computer crashes, itunes crashes when I plug in my iPod, and several other features are not working / crash computer. I am also on Vista (Home Premium) I noticed the problem around start Feb... but I hadnt installed anything except windows updates... which incidentaly, doesnt work now either. I did manage to open the control panel when in safe mode, however. Any ideas that would avoid a complete reboot of the computer? Many Thanks, Rockostar Last edited by rockostar; Feb 24, 2008 at 11:53 AM.

Feb 24, 2008, 03:22 PM	#10
BlueMak HH's Asteroids' Dominator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Hellas->Macedonia->Thessaloniki Posts: 13,471 Rep Power: 349 System Specs	Any chance it is a virus? __________________ The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others(Bertrand Russell)"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil,You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them." - Lt. Gen. James N. Mattis This is slavery, not to speak one's thought. [Euripides-The Phoenician Women (c.411-409 B.C.)] http://www.macedonia.info/FALLACIESANDFACTS.htm *Sic semper tyrannis.*

Feb 24, 2008, 06:56 PM	#11
M.R.C. DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I have the exact same problem, with the control panel and windows update etc etc. Also if you double click on your cd-rom drive it'll say Application not found, but you can right click and open it and run anything in it. You can still get control panel options in your explorer window on the left, but it won't actually show the control panel in the main window, only if you open a specific cpl. This all happened after I updated my chipset drivers from the dell.com support driver update page. What the freak? Is there any way to remove the specific intel chipset drivers, and install them from the dell CD? I have XPS 420. I can't tell where the intel chipset drivers are in the device manager. I also updated my sigmatel audio drivers from dell and flashed bios to revision A03. I don't think that would be causing the problem as much as the chipset drivers though..

Feb 24, 2008, 06:57 PM	#12
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,019 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	that happened to me when i had bad RAM in my system. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Feb 24, 2008, 08:23 PM	#13
M.R.C. DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I'm obsessive compulsive and won't quit at something until I figure it out.. so I figured this out. Somehow the file slsvc.exe got corrupted. slsvc.exe is the Software Licensing Service. Enables the download, installation and enforcement of digital licenses for Windows and Windows applications. *If the service is disabled, the operating system and licensed applications may run in a reduced function mode.* I ran the system file checker (start - run - type "cmd" in command type "sfc /scannow" , you might need your OS dvd in to run this). I then sifted through the log it creates and found the slsvc file was corrupted and it repaired it. Then I looked up the info on slsvc and found out what it was about. So even if yours ins't corrupted you need to have it running or it can screw up windows services like control panel, system information, and windows update. Just type services.msc in Run and scroll down to the Software Licencing (mine is just listed as slsvc because it got corrupted). Stop it if it is running and make sure it is set to Automatic, and then restart it. You might want to do the same with SL UI Notification just in case like I did.

Feb 26, 2008, 11:46 PM	#14
rockostar DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	hey, my pc is working agan after I tried a solution from microsoft forums: In the Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) run the command CHKDSK /R to scan and repair your hard-drive after the next restart. This took hours & hours for me, but it found and repaired many "damaged clusters" and corrupt files. Definatly worth a try if the other methods dont work for you, and beats re-installing vista any day...