Windows XP registry hack needed

[mscher]

I used to know this stuff in my sleep (15 yrs in IT) but my memory is slipping, so I need you younger gurus to chip in.

My PC had a newer version of IE that worked fine. The installer of my satellite broadband internet "set up" my PC (although he denies making ANY changes) I know that he did, but I was out of town during the install.

I ended up with icons for a bloated "MSN Explorer" and my IE crashing every time. This MSN does not have an unistall option, so I am thinking the tech used ghost or some other imaging setup, to dump some "generic" configuration to my system. This can be a nightmare if done incorrectly.

If I try to re-install the latest version of IE, I get a "newer version of IE arelady exists" error which I am assuming it sees the MSN "install".

I would like to simply kill the MSN and allow IE to reinstall.

It can be done easily, I just don't remember where in the registry to make changes.

Gurus?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Can you just do a restore to a date before he screwed it up? Xp's restore does not affect personal data........just software.

 

[mscher]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Can you just do a restore to a date before he screwed it up? Xp's restore does not affect personal data........just software.

I tried that, but I had waited too long, so I was unable to find a usable restore point.

Thanks anyway.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Of course, that would have been to easy! Go to the control panel, then add/remove programs, then click on the box that says add/remove windows components and uninstall the msn explorer from there.

 

[mscher]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Of course, that would have been to easy! Go to the control panel, then add/remove programs, then click on the box that says add/remove windows components and uninstall the msn explorer from there.

That's the problem. There no entries for either MSN or IE in the installed programs list.

That why I believe that the tech used ghost or some setup of MS Installer, to simply copy certain files and registry settings to the PC. If this process is not done right, (where both source and destination PC are configured the same) the results can be a real mess.

Nothing is ever easy:^

 

[vipzach]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

IE and msn explorer should both be in the windows components list, not the regular add/remove programs list.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

On the start menu hit RUN then type in MSCONFIG in the run box. There is something that is in your start-up that is preventing your changes. This is a good place to "look" around.

Bob

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Is it XP home or Pro? The MSN is in the Windows component of add/remove on Pro. You could always use firefox.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

OK, grab some tin-foil and make yourself a hat........

Open your favorite text editor.....notepad should do fine...
Click File Open
Browse to the Windows(Windows or WINNT) folder, then to the Inf subfolder.
Example: C:\Windows\Inf
Note: be sure Notepad is set to open 'All File' types

Look for the file called sysoc.inf...click to load it into Notepad

Look in the inf file for the MSN Explorer entry...
On the MSN Explorer entry, find the word 'hide'
Remove the word 'hide' only...
Don't disturb the commas, before or after the word hide
Click on File, Save

Goto Add/Remove Programs (Control Panel)
Click Add/Remove Windows Components

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Thanks Xcusme, good tip!!
He might have to show hiiden files in order to see the inf folder.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

That is an awesome tip!!

Xcuseme that rocks.

AK Chappy

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Yes, I agree on turning on 'see hidden files'

I turn on that feature, along with un-hiding all folders too, from the get go.

I guess the brilliant folks at Microsoft figure, you can't delete files you can't 'see'....they're 'protecting you from yourself'....

BTW, it is a good idea to backup that inf file before you go editing it, just do a copy/paste of the file to a safe folder. If things get too nuts, just copy the file back to the inf folder....

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

G'day Mate.....now, post a snap, this I just gotta see!

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

[colour=blue]O/K, done. I've made the hat - now what?

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Put it on? 8)

 

[mscher]

Re: Windows XP registry hack needed

Thanks everyone for your help.

Reinstalling the original IE fixed the errors.

Marty