Can't access Disk Management!

[lgbpop]

Not sure when the Logical Disk Manager went, but this morning I wanted to open Disk Management and it wouldn't open. I've also had no success with Windows updates for about three weeks now. I suspect the two problems are traced back to the same source. On startup I get the "Logical Disk Manager is not registered" but the few things I've tried using the oxymoronic Microsoft Help Center are ineffective.

OS is WinXP Home w/SP3. It started out as a Dell OEM setup, but I wiped the partition and installed a retail version using Dell's drivers where necessary. The laptop worked flawlessly for almost three years before this all started. The only thing I can think of that I installed at about the time this started is IE7. I had no intention of doing so, since I read so many problems here that IE7 caused on XP installs....but so many websites insist on IE7 that I gave in, and rued the day immediately. I uninstalled it successfully

Can someone help me sort this out in plain English?

[Welshjim]

lgbpop--Perhaps of help
Disk Management: http://www.microsoft.com/communities...&cr=&sloc=&p=1
Windows Update: Any error messages?
A System Restore might fix both, especially Disk Management.
"I suspect the two problems are traced back to the same source."
And the source is?
Event Viewer?

[SuperSparks]

I take it you have checked for malware? If you have, and it is clean, I would try running "sfc /scannow" from an Administrator Command Prompt.

[lgbpop]

That's a bit of a problem. I probably need a slipstreamed disk including SP3. All I have is my original retail install disk with SP1, and the Dell image with SP2. The machine's asking for another disk. The mahine had a minor bug several months ago but that's all; it seemed to be running OK after being cleaned out.

[SuperSparks]

I don't think there will be any problem is making an SP3 slipstreamed disc with your retail one. For SFC purposes a retail disc will work fione on OEM, and vice versa.

[lgbpop]

I'll make one up tomorrow and have at it.

[DeP]

First make sure the services Logical Disk Manager and Remote
Procedure Call (RPC) are started.
And Remote
Procedure Call (RPC)Locator and Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service are not disabled. (set them to manual)
If no joy...
Look for the file dmreg.inf on your computer. It's probably in Windows\i386
If found rightclick the file and select Install.

[lgbpop]

No joy to any of the above, DeP. The dmreg.inf file was installed, services all at their default settings. I also ran the System File Checker as Nick suggested (more on that below). After a reboot the LDM still wouldn't install. I tried registering the dmserver.dll, which brought the response about how the file loaded but a registry entry point couldn't be found.

I got an SP3 XP disk made up and booted/installed it successfully on a test machine. I inserted that into the optical drive and ran SFC, but had to click Retry every few seconds for 25 minutes before the process finally ended. I don't think I should need to do that more than a few times, if at all, but I am not expert on that. Would using the /PURGECACHE switch do any good or any harm? If it's a good idea, does the cache reload automatically?

So, at the moment I have virtually no progress made - but I do have a slick new XPSP3 install disk!

[und3rtak3r]

No issues in the device manager?

[lgbpop]

No, none. I have the touchpad and Firewire internet connection both disabled because I never use them, but other than that everything's operative.

[und3rtak3r]

OK .. If you have system restore operational.. Have a look at your past restore points to see if you can get a clue as to what has been install since the last use of Disk manager. Perhaps try a couple to see if you can find when and/or where the problem started... ie after a windows update, after a software install. IF we have a clue here there may be a better chance to prevent it happening again..
I ask this because of this comment

I tried registering the dmserver.dll, which brought the response about how the file loaded but a registry entry point couldn't be found.

(sorry - I realise that you are not sure of when this issue started - we may be lucky and it be in the range of available restore points)

[lgbpop]

Restore points only go back to beginning of August, and I wasn't able to do a successful restore when I tried last Saturday (Sept. 4). Per Windows apparent policy, no reason was given. Only software installed in the past four months was IE7. After two weeks of aggravation I uninstalled it.

[SuperSparks]

You shouldn't have to click Retry at all during the SFC process. It is starting to sound like you may have a rather sick Windows there Do you have the correct disc to do an over-the-top reinstall?

[lgbpop]

Yep, I have that brand-new one. I'll have to reinstall a few things but that's the least of my worries. I already have my Documents and Pictures folders on a separate partition, no problem with losing them. Walk me through the steps? - it's been ages since I did it. Actually, I'm thinking of trying the Repair option first. Opinions?

[und3rtak3r]

Restore points only go back to beginning of August, and I wasn't able to do a successful restore when I tried last Saturday (Sept. 4). Per Windows apparent policy, no reason was given. Only software installed in the past four months was IE7. After two weeks of aggravation I uninstalled it.

From the sounds of this you had issues before the IE7 install attempt, but that is trivial now.
I agree with SS. From what seems to be happening there you can try a "repair" install. I do not wish to be a fear monger, and some may think my approach is overkill, I think the following will save grey hair or early onset baldness.
1/ You already have you data on a second partition: I do recommend to backup this data on a separate HDD.
2/ run a HDD diag utility to check for any random bad sectors, tools like Seagate's Seatools or HDD Scan these are Free tools. In my Workshop I use HDD Regenerator by Dmitriy Primochenko (it isn't free), and seatools on almost a daily basis.
3/ Provided step 2 is a clear report. Format and Clean install windows. defrag once complete.