Internet option restricted & .dll problems

Original topic Software help. Then I was asked to move to HJT help. Then asked to try here.

Adobe Flash player is resolved. I still have intermittent problem with the mouse not responding to "clicks."

My main concern is Internet Options Restrictions (further explanation and what has been attempted already is in the afforementioned previous posts).

My thought is that it's connected to a advpack.dll problem (file not found). Reason being when I right click on IE I get an error message

rundll32.exe - Unable To Locate Component
This application has failed to start because ADVPACK.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

I assume these errors are connected. I also have not been able to post a Malwarebytes log because of the same error (further info in HTJ help)

I may have found a place or two to download a "free" advpack.dll. There is a link to one of these in one of my last posts in the HJT help

Other than that I'm not sure what else to try.

Any input would be much appreciated
Thanks
Amebeo

Hi Amebeo. I find advpack.dll in many locations on my XP Pro + SP3 computer.

C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB956390-IE7\SP2QFE
C:\WINDOWS\$hf_mig$\KB961260-IE7\SP2QFE
C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\2e4e820fa4f0714d84e95e04fd4b348e\SP2GDR
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\2e4e820fa4f0714d84e95e04fd4b348e\SP2QFE
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\5d9d48823dca01f9929a959c29f5edc4\SP2GDR
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\Download\5d9d48823dca01f9929a959c29f5edc4\SP2QFE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

Can you copy it from one of those locations to C:\WINDOWS\system32 which is where it needs to be?

Hi Ztruker

I copied from
C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

Then tried to right click IE and go to properties like before. Now the message I get is…

rundll32.exe - Enrty Point Not Found
The procedure entry point RegInstallW could not be located in the dynmic link library ADVPACK.dll

There wasn't already a advpack.dll in C:\WINDOWS\system32, but there was a advpack.dll.mui. Don't know if that is even relevant.

Internet options still restricted.

GOOD NEWS:

Malwarebytes will now open and scan, but I can't update.

Error message just says
Update failed. Make sure you are connected to the internet and your firewal is set to allow malwarebytes access to the internet.

I am connected and I don't recall windows firewall ever blocking malwarebyes in the past.


I'm sorry I forgot to mention, while LDTate was helping me in HJT forum, he asked me to run sfc /scannow using my xp disk. I only have an old disk and I rau into a snag trying to do it. He said he thought there was a way to do it without the disk. Is there a way, and is ti something to consider at this time?

I think ADVPACK.dll in C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 may be down level. I looked at my computer again and it's:

04/14/2008 05:41 AM 99,840 advpack.dll

whereas the one in C:\Windows\system32 is

12/20/2008 07:15 PM 124,928 advpack.dll

so, my previous advice was not as accurate as it should have been, my apologies. Please try copying it from

C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache

which will be an exact match for what is supposed to be in C:\WINDOWS\system32.

As for having an older, down level XP CD, what Service Pack does it have on it, if any? SP1 or SP2, and is your computer currently at SP3? If the CD has SP1 or SP2 and you are currently at SP3, then I can provide directions for creating a new XP CD slipstreamed with SP3 that will work for running SFC, the Recovery Console or doing a Repair Install if that becomes necessary.

I was unable to copy from C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache (it was being used by another program) I restart in safe mode to get it done. I'm still getting all the same error messages with the C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache version of advpack.dll My old XP disk has SP 1 and is dated verion 2002. I am cuurently at SP 3

The simplest way to create a Bootable Windows XP Pro or Home Installation CD Slipstreamed with SP3 is to use Autostreamer. You point to your XP Pro/Home CD, the SP3 Service Pack .exe file, give it a path to write the .iso file to and off it goes. In 5 or 10 minutes you have a .iso file that you can burn to CD with almost any CD burner program you want to use. I used Roxio 7. There is a good freeware burner called DeepBurner which will do this also.

Here is the link to Autostreamer: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-…ostreamer.shtml

You can download the SP3 .exe here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details…;displaylang=en

An excellent alternative is nLite. It allows you to merge SP3 and Windows Updates into a new XP CD image that you can install from. Takes a bit of fiddling with but worth the effort since it also allows you to pre-answer all the questions asked during install so all you have to do is boot the new CD, select where you want to install, format or not and go to lunch. When you come back the install is finished and your are at the latest Service Pack and Update level. See here: http://www.nliteos.com/

If you have Vista, then give Vlite a try: http://www.vlite.net/

Use this site to get the MS updates: http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/

You can also get updates from an MS site but it takes more work: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/saveupdates.htm

Once you have the new CD, you can run sfc /scannow and see if that fixes your problem.

I'm sorry.

I need a lttle more detail if you would please.

I downloaded Autostreamer and SP 3

started Autostreamer…inserted xp disk…selected SP 3 file I just downloaded…and it says I have selected an invalid service pack file. I know I must be doing something wrong I'm just not sure what.

I'm sure I have a CD burner program on here (though I've never used it)

I also downloaded Driver Detective from http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/

But like Malwarebytes update it too cannot connect to the internet.

Keep in mind if you would, I'm mearly a jack of all trades master of none. I only tinker with my PCs, and with things I have never tried before, I tend to cause as many problems as I fix (not just with PCs).

It's the best way to learn.

Thanks for the help

Verify the file you download is WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe and that it is over 300MB in size. If it isn't, download it again, something failed. Why did you download driver detective? Beware of endless advertisements when visiting sites often suggested on forums. Retrieve only the information or files that you are advised to get, and avoid clicking on advertisements. EDIT: Are you running 64-bit windows?

The File downloaded is WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU (316 MB) The driver detective was completely my fault. I must have been in a hurry at the time (I usually am) and made a bad assumption. 64-bit windows? Not sure. How do I find out?

I just ran through it and recorded the screen images.
[attachment removed]
Select the first option to use your own CD and click Next
[attachment removed]
Click on the icon to the right of each input area to Select the

• Windows CD Drive
• Service Pack File
• Temporary folder (where Autostreamer can do it's work. Make sure there is plenty of room)

[attachment removed]
This is what it looks like when filled in. If you have done it right, the Next button will now be activated, click on it.
[attachment removed]
Type in a label (the one I entered is a good choice) and where the target iso file will be created, and it's name. If you have it right, the Finish button will now be activated, click on it.
[attachment removed]
Autostreamer will start it's process.

The longest part will probably be copying the entire CD contents (thanks appleoddity) from the CD to the hard drive. Over all it should not take more than 15 minutes or so.

Does autostreamer automatically copy the contents of the I386 folder? This is where I have a bit of a problem. Most of the instructions you read about slipstreaming a disc only focuses on copying the I386 folder. I don't understand why you would only want the I386 folder when there are very important other tools on the disc that also need to be copied. If you have a full, legit copy of Windows XP you are also going to want the deployment tools, and other tools provided on the disc to use the full functionality of the disc. This is why I slipstream my discs manually. I'm not saying it won't work like this for most people, but I would literally have a disc that would not work for me if I used this method. I wouldn't be able to use sysprep to create a deployment image with this disc. Is there a way to add the other files to the package so that it more closely resembles the original disc with all the extras?

I think you're correct, that it copies the entire CD, otherwise you would definately be losing function. I'll fix my post.

Thanks

Edit: Just verified it does copy the entire CD.

Thats good to know.. Thanks for verifying. Nice tutorial by the way.

Well… Last night I was stressed, frustrated, and low on patience (mostly not from my PC problems). I thought I would just try to download and install IE 8.0 for xp again. Well… I no longer have restrictions on Internet options and I can now access IE properties. The problem is now the only thing I can view on IE is the ever popular "Page cannot be displayed." Diagnostics show no problem with the connection "try checking spelling…" So, at work, I downloaded IE 8 for windows XP IE 7 for SP3 and Firefox 3 I'm using Firefox now. If it were up to me, I'd say forget IE and move on to other problems, but my wife wants it fixed. Sorry guys sometimes I let myself get in he way of progress, and I'm afraid I'm just making it harder on you. I'll work on the slipstream CD tomorrow. (I have class after work again tonight) Thanks

Ok… My technician just did a malware cleanup on a computer with the same issue afterwards.

The system had Internet Explorer 7 installed. After opening IE7, if I clicked on tools -> internet options I would get the operation has been cancelled due to a restriction in effect on the computer. After verifying that there were no restrictions I looked further.

If I went to control panel -> Internet options, it just simply wouldn't do anything. The window would not open.

I talked to my technician to find out if he had ran MalwareBytes on the computer. He said he couldn't because he was getting an error about "advpack.dll" missing. I verified that MalwareBytes would also not update properly because it complained advpack.dll was missing.

I tried to then uninstall IE7, but in add/remove programs the "remove" option was missing. I looked in the registry for this program and the uninstall information was gone. So, I followed Method 2 at this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927177

When trying method 2, the operation errored at the beginning because advpack.dll was missing.

The computer has service pack 3 installed, so I put in my Windows XP service pack 3 disc and used the following command at the command prompt to restore the advpack.dll file.

expand D:\i386\advpack.dl_ C:\windows\system32\advpack.dll Where D: is your CD-drive, and C: is your windows system drive.

I then used method 2 of the uninstall procedure at the above microsoft article. It was successful. The uninstall prompted me to reboot. I rebooted. Internet Explorer 6 was present after the reboot, and all internet options worked fine. I then went to this link: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details…;displaylang=en and downloaded and installed Internet Explorer 7 again.

All functionality has been restored and Internet Explorer 7 is functioning normally.

MalwareBytes now installs and updates correctly. A scan confirmed, as I suspected, that there were no further infections on the computer in spite of the problems I was having.