Help! No Control Panel

**foodbiz** · October 3rd, 2003, 02:32 AM

My lap top is acting up !!! I can not seem to access the control panel, everytime I try to open it up the Search Flash Light comes on looking for the folder and never finds it!!!(Win 98, I know it is ancient)

Thanks

**foodbiz** · October 3rd, 2003, 12:57 PM

bump....

Sorry I really need help!

**woodbutcher** · October 3rd, 2003, 12:59 PM

You can't bring it up thru Windows Explorer?

WB

**kendo** · October 3rd, 2003, 01:04 PM

use the find command to look for *.cpl

these files should be located in the windows/system directory

if they come up in the find window then try clicking on them individually and see if they open the corresponding control panel functions

**paul9** · October 3rd, 2003, 01:08 PM

is this a recent problem or inherited hardware? 'coz if you don't know the history of the lappy, then it is possible that a previous user has disabled the control panel, using software such as the security features of system mechanic ( www.iolo.com ). even if it has not been specifically disabled, then it may be worth disabling it yourself then re-enabling it to jump start it back into life.(reboots in between changes) or a registry repair tool may help.

**foodbiz** · October 3rd, 2003, 04:34 PM

Well I can acess everthing through the find"*.cpl" that will get me going for now untill I find out what happend

**nukes** · October 4th, 2003, 01:35 PM

Maybe everythings been disabled? There is a reg key to remove sections from control panel, and to add others. It may be worth using tweakui as its a bit easier. IDK where you could download tweakui for 9x now though. :/
Does it work if you type "control" into a run box?

**kendo** · October 4th, 2003, 01:54 PM

the more likely culprit is a damaged *.cpl file

to find out --- move the *.cpl files from the sytem directory to a temp folder that you create

after they have been removed try to open the control panel

if it opens it will be empty but that will be ok post your results

**foodbiz** · October 6th, 2003, 01:17 AM

I have no idea how this happend but, it was a cookie that was causing the problem??

It works fine after I found it and deleted it...

Thganks guys

**theonetruegod** · October 6th, 2003, 04:17 AM

Was going to say us a up to date virus/trojan scan on it but its sorted...til the next time.

Peace.

**muno** · October 6th, 2003, 04:22 AM

Type -> start->run->control
if nothing happens, something must've deleted your control panel.
(it should be in %systemroot%\system32\control.exe)

You might be able to access it by copying it from another w98 system. .cpl files are extensions, err.. shortcuts to different things displayed in control panel.
-M