Member Avatar for Me2-BFD

I just noticed today that I cannot access my System Restore applet. I've never had a problem before, and I don't recall installing (or doing) anything which would affect it. When I try to access it, I get a 'send an error report' alert, saying "Run a DLL as an App" has encountered a problem, etc., etc. When I send a report, I get kicked out of System Properties (if that's how I got there). Needless to say, I get no report feedback from Microsoft.

I haven't noticed any other problems, though. I'm running XP Pro SP2, on an ASUS A7A 266 MB, with an Athlon 2600+ CPU, 768 MB PC133 RAM, and an eVGA GeForce MX2 400 video card. I've run Ad-Aware, and cleaned out the usual (minor) culprits, and I just finished a virus scan (clean).

Thanks for any help you may be able to provide.

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Dani AI

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A short, practical summary and how-to based on the thread: fixed the same rundll32/ System Restore crash by reinstalling the System Restore INF; and had suggested safe-mode checks and toggling the System Restore service as earlier troubleshooting. For anyone with the same symptom (System Restore applet crashing or not opening), the reinstall is the usual, low-risk next step when the Service/restore-point toggle or Safe Mode runs don’t help.

Reinstall System Restore (two equivalent methods)

  • Locate SR.INF in the Windows INF folder (typically C:\Windows\inf) and use the Installer verb (right‑click the file and choose Install).
  • Or run the SetupAPI InstallHinfSection command (Run or an elevated Command Prompt). Example command (one line):
    %SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 %SystemRoot%\inf\sr.inf

    The InstallHinfSection call and the exact rundll32 usage are documented by Microsoft. (learn.microsoft.com)

What to expect and important cautions

  • The installer may prompt for files from the Windows CD or from the ServicePackFiles\i386 folder; point it there when asked. Reinstalling System Restore will remove existing restore points (this is expected behavior). Back up any important data before proceeding. Practical notes and the “sr.inf / Install” workflow are described in community how‑to guides and troubleshooting writeups. (pcreview.co.uk)

If reinstalling is not wanted or doesn’t help

  • Try the simpler checks first: run System Restore from Safe Mode, look in Event Viewer for sources named “sr” or “srservice” to capture error details, or toggle System Restore off then on (which also clears old points). If those fail, the INF reinstall is the standard repair path recommended in XP troubleshooting references. (forums.tomshardware.com)

Notes: run the command with administrator rights and match the Service Pack level of any files pointed to (use the matching SP i386 folder). This note applies to the sr.inf reinstall step and avoids copy errors when setup requests specific SP files. (pcreview.co.uk)

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Member Avatar for Packet.22

First of all you will not get any feedback from microsoft cause all the error report does it send it to microsoft where they can have it in there DB...... What i would try to do is run it in safe mode see if you can if you see cant then i would say it is windows causing the prob. what i would do from there is go an disable system restore and then reinable it.

Member Avatar for DMR

Is there any more specific information available in the error message dialog box (under a "more info" button, perhaps? If so, please post it in its entirety.

The info I'm looking for would be similar to the following format:

AppName: rundll32.exe AppVer: 5.1.2600.0 ModName: srrstr.dll
ModVer: 5.1.2600.1142 Offset: 00009765


In the mean time, you can try:

1. http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=35941

2:

  1. Click Start | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services.
  2. Right-click System Restore Service and click Properties.
  3. From the Startup Type drop-down, select Disabled.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Close the Services and Administrative Tools windows.
  6. Right-click My Computer, click Properties, and click the System Restore tab. The System Restore tab should now display properly; however, the System Restore service will be disabled.
  7. Enable System Restore and click Apply.
Member Avatar for Me2-BFD

Here's the info:
AppName: rundll32.exe AppVer: 5.1.2600.2180 ModName: srrstr.dll
ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180 Offset: 000099b2
---------------
However, running the sr.inf:install solved the problem. Had to browse around, a bit, to find the various files it wanted, including some on the WinXP install disk. Thank you all, very much, for the quick response, and (especailly) for the resolution.

Member Avatar for DMR

...running the sr.inf:install solved the problem. Had to browse around, a bit, to find the various files it wanted, including some on the WinXP install disk. Thank you all, very much, for the quick response, and (especailly) for the resolution.

Glad we could help, and good job on getting yourself through the process! :)

commented: Nice one! +2
Member Avatar for antioed

First of all you will not get any feedback from microsoft cause all the error report does it send it to microsoft where they can have it in there DB...... What i would try to do is run it in safe mode see if you can if you see cant then i would say it is windows causing the prob. what i would do from there is go an disable system restore and then reinable it.

...not always true but yes, most the time. I have seen where a device driver causes error report and then after the report gets analyzed it launches a web page with more info about the device driver that was causing the problem. Obviously that's not the case here but sometimes it DOES help to send the error report. Microsoft's aim there was to catch common issues with the error reporting mechanism and fix them in service packs or direct users to the appropriate vendor for updates.

Member Avatar for GeoffC

Here's the info:
AppName: rundll32.exe AppVer: 5.1.2600.2180 ModName: srrstr.dll
ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180 Offset: 000099b2
---------------
However, running the sr.inf:install solved the problem. Had to browse around, a bit, to find the various files it wanted, including some on the WinXP install disk. Thank you all, very much, for the quick response, and (especailly) for the resolution.

:confused: I have the identical problem. Pardon the ignorance but could you explain "running the sr.inf:install etc." I have tried the Run dialog and get a message that I have incorrect parameters.

Member Avatar for DMR

Hi GeoffC,

First of all- welcome to TechTalk!

We ask that members not tag their questions on to a thread previously started by another member (regardless of how similar your problem might seem). Not only does it divert the focus of the thread away from the original poster's problem, but it also makes it less likely that you yourself will get the individual attention that you need.

Please start your own thread and post your question there. When you do, please try to give us as much specific info as possible regarding the problem (exact error messages, system specs, etc.).

For a full description of our posting guidelines and general rules of conduct, please see this page:

http://www.daniweb.com/techtalkforums/faq.php?faq=daniweb_faq#faq_rules


Thanks for understanding.

Member Avatar for GeoffC

Apologies for that. I will do as you ask. PS A Wombat would have to be an Aussie as am I.

Member Avatar for DMR

Thanks Geoff.

Oh, and BTW:

PS A Wombat would have to be an Aussie as am I.

Sorry- that was a previous incarnation; I got over it this time 'round... ;)

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