Can't open internet options in tools or control panel

[attollo]

Had to buy a new hard drive for my laptop 2 months ago, lots of problems since. Tried to uninstall IE7, unsuccessful, did a system restore and now I can't open internet options in tools or the control panel. I am running WinXP Pro on a Dell Inspiron 9100. Any suggestions?

[bobbyraw]

did u run any updates after the system restore?

[coolraj003]

Or could have picked up some spyware, adware etc. Also could be the case of user account previleges as well. Have you looked at those possibilities?

Raj

[attollo]

yes to all those things, I have even tried a system recovery for this laptop which I have already had to do twice since I purchased it in 2004, but I am not able to do that now, I think it's because of the new hard drive. Thank you for your suggestions.

[bbkenton]

I have the same problem, and now I can't download anything from Internet either. Is this some sort of M-soft scan to get people to buy Vista? I see this all over the internet and on the Microsft Web site, but no real answers. My menu bar is gone, I can't open Internet Options to get it. I have gone on every post, every blog, I tried to reinstall my Window's XP (It won't let me because I upgraded to Sp pack 3. The Alt Key doesn't work I am so frustrated with the whole thing and can't download another tool bar isn't that a kicker!

[Bob_180_Bob]

The simple answer is not a fix but it works better than any fix. Download and run Opera or Mozella and forget IE except for window updates.

[Bob_180_Bob]

I have the same problem, and now I can't download anything from Internet either. Is this some sort of M-soft scan to get people to buy Vista? I see this all over the internet and on the Microsft Web site, but no real answers. My menu bar is gone, I can't open Internet Options to get it. I have gone on every post, every blog, I tried to reinstall my Window's XP (It won't let me because I upgraded to Sp pack 3. The Alt Key doesn't work I am so frustrated with the whole thing and can't download another tool bar isn't that a kicker!

You will lose your SP3 and have to reinstall it after repair....

To Repair Windows XP from your XP CD…..

1. Re-start PC with XP CD in drive (Have your serial number handy)
2. As your PC starts press “F12” for boot menu (Or what your PC may ask for)
3. Scroll to and select “boot from CD.”
4. At prompt “Press any key to boot from CD” Press “Any key”
5. In the Windows XP Setup window, Press “Enter” to set up windows XP, (Don’t worry, this is a repair only, not a fresh install.)
6. At next window, Press “F8” to accept license agreement
7. Wait until windows displays your current version of XP and asks “To repair the selected windows XP installation press R”
8. Press “R”
9. Enter serial number when prompted.
10. Wait for files to be copied (PC will indicate 39 mins, it will take a lot less.)
11. When asked to adjust Regional language options, click “Next” as it is still set.
12. PC will re-boot.
13. If you have AVG Free, copy serial number to a file as you will lose it on repair. After repair a window will pop up asking how you want to treat AVG, Click repair and when prompted enter serial number.
14. Check to see if problem still exists.

[dimuzio8]

I also have lost my "Internet Options" and this happend after I had downloaded an update for IE. The only thing I have left is a shorcut.

[Bob_180_Bob]

I also have lost my "Internet Options" and this happend after I had downloaded an update for IE. The only thing I have left is a shorcut.

A lot of problems can be fixed with a simple solution, please try to one or, if necessary, all of the following to try and get your PC working again. Start at the first, working your way to the last, that is, if you are able to access the programs shown. If you know your way around a PC, I am sorry for the full details but this is to help people that don’t know how.

Check Disk

1. Right click your disk drive icon (normally “C”),
2. Click “Properties.”
3. Click “Tools”
4. In “Error checking” click “Check Now”
5. Check the 2 boxes, “Automatically fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”
6. Click “Start”
7. At the pop-up window “The disk check could not……” Click “Yes”
8. Re-boot your PC and allow disk checker to start. (Do not press any key before it starts)

Check Disk from Boot

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Safe Mode with command prompt”
3. At command prompt Type “ chkdsk /f” (Note;- Space after chkdsk.)

Alternative Start Mode

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Start with last known good configuration.)
3. Press “Enter”

Or
4. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
5. Scroll to “Safe Mode” (With networking, if you want to access the internet)
6. Press “Enter”

Verify Window’s Files

1. Go “START”, “RUN” type “CMD” Press “OK” or Boot PC into “safe mode with command prompt”
2. Type sfc /scannow /f (note:- space after sfc)
3. Windows file protection will check your files. Follow any prompts; you may be required to use your XP CD.
4. Re-boot your PC

System Restore from boot

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Safe Mode” and press “Enter”
3. A window will open asking if you want to use “System Restore”
4. Select “Cancel” to enter “System Restore”
5. Ensure “Restore to an earlier time” is checked and click “Next”
6. Select an earlier date when your PC worked well. (Must be a highlighted date)
7. Click “Next”
8. Allow system restore and reboot.
9. Check to see if problem still exists.

System Restore

1. Go “Start”
2. “All programs”
3. “Accessories”
4. “System tools”
5. “System Restore”
6. Ensure “Restore to an earlier time” is checked and click “Next”
7. Select an earlier date when your PC worked well. (Must be a highlighted date)
8. Click “Next”
9. Allow system restore and reboot.
10. Check to see if problem still exists.

Clean Boot

1. Go “Start”
2. “Run”
3. Type “msconfig”
4. Click “OK”
5. Click “Services”
6. Check box “Hide all Microsoft services”
7. Click “Disable All”
8. Click “Apply”
9. Click “Restart”
10. System will reboot, Check if problem still exists. (Do not access the internet or open any file you are unsure of as you have no virus protector running.)
11. If problem is fixed, enable the disabled items 1 at a time until you find the one causing the problem. If not fixed, re-enable all and re-boot.

On-line Virus Scan

Go to one or all of these sites and do an online virus scan.

housecall.trendmicro.com

security.symantec.com

us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp

Check Malware

Go to http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe
and download and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

Check Spyware

Go to www.safer-networking.org and download and run Spybot

If you have not installed Service Pack 3 yet, do a Windows repair, if you have installed it, first try…..

Post a detailed report

Go to:- www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html download and run Hijack this. “Do not try to do any repairs yourself.” Save the report and send it with your next post along with any error logs.
To check error logs, go to “START” “RUN” type “eventvwr.msc” Click “OK” and check if there any errors in the logs. Include any information that could help:-
1. What were you doing on the PC when the problem occurred?
2. Does it happen every time you do this?
3. What progs are running as well?
4. What have you done to fix this problem?
5. How long has the problem been happening?
6. Have you installed/uninstalled or updated any progs recently?
7. Any other information that may help resolve your problem. Remember, no one here can see your PC; you are the only one that can tell someone else about the problem.

To Repair Windows XP from your XP CD…..

1. Re-start PC with XP CD in drive (Have your serial number handy)
2. As your PC starts press “F12” for boot menu (Or what your PC may ask for)
3. Scroll to and select “boot from CD.”
4. At prompt “Press any key to boot from CD” Press “Any key”
5. In the Windows XP Setup window, Press “Enter” to set up windows XP, (Don’t worry, this is a repair only, not a fresh install.)
6. At next window, Press “F8” to accept license agreement
7. Wait until windows displays your current version of XP and asks “To repair the selected windows XP installation press R”
8. Press “R”
9. Enter serial number when prompted.
10. Wait for files to be copied (PC will indicate 39 mins, it will take a lot less.)
11. When asked to adjust Regional language options, click “Next” as it is still set.
12. PC will re-boot.
13. If you have AVG Free, copy serial number to a file as you will lose it on repair. After repair a window will pop up asking how you want to treat AVG, Click repair and when prompted enter serial number.
14. Check to see if problem still exists.

[sivakrishnab]

Had to buy a new hard drive for my laptop 2 months ago, lots of problems since. Tried to uninstall IE7, unsuccessful, did a system restore and now I can't open internet options in tools or the control panel. I am running WinXP Pro on a Dell Inspiron 9100. Any suggestions?

you have to replace your hard drive otherwise it will be getting more problems to your system. You have to uninstall your IE7 in safe mode only then you will free of problems.

[hughv]

From:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm

Control Panel - Icons Missing

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT

Go to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\don't load

Look in the right pane and you'll see the Control Panel Icons that have been disabled. You can either right click on the "don't load" subkey and select Delete to restore all disabled icons, or you can right click on each of the items in the right pane and select Delete to selectively restore them. Scroll up to Control Panel Applets for a listing of what each one is.

The change will be seen the next time you open Control Panel.
This control should also be available in IE/Tools/Internet Options

[morecrazy]

HI, My compaq laptop is infected with a peculiar virus, which does not allow me to alter any hardware devices, It does not allow me to open control panel neither properties, I tried to format my hard disk using bootable xp CD but soon after booting a blue screen message appears telling your computer is infected with virus which does not allow to alter any hardware devices.

Plz tell me the remedy if anyone has...!!

[WIL2WAT]

I had this issue for about a week. All the suggestion sound good but didn't work i fixed mines. This is how: I download ie8 make sure it completely download. Once it check for malicious spyware and completed the download my internet options reappeared. Good luck