System Restore Blank Page. Tried several fixes, none of them worked!
Hi All, After a lengthy serach on google, and NTCompatible, I was unable to find a fix that worked for me. First things first, here's a screen shot of what is going on: Please note: I am NOT having the blank Calendar problem.
Hi All,
After a lengthy serach on google, and NTCompatible, I was unable to find a fix that worked for me. First things first, here's a screen shot of what is going on:
Please note: I am NOT having the "blank Calendar" problem. See the screen shot!
That being said, here is a list of things i HAVE tried, none of which have fixed my problem (NOTE: I AM logged in as an administrator (of course).)
1.) Restore Registry keys accordingn to Microsoft Knowledge Base articles dealing with "Blank" Calendars. NOTE: I am NOT having a Blank Calendar problem. System Resotre doesn't even GET as far as showing me a calendar
2.) Tried regsvr32 for jscript.dll, vbscript.dll, and mshtml by running the following batch file:
<Some .BAT File>
@Echo Off
regsvr32 jscript
regsvr32 vbscript
regsvr32 /i mshtml
</Some .BAT File>
On All 3 of them, I got a message that says registered succesfully. I RESTARTED, but still not fixed!!!!
3.) Tried Restarting into Safe Mode and trying System Restore
4.) Tried Last Known Good Configuration, and trying System Restore
5.) Tried to manually check registry keys suggested by Microsoft that have to do with System Restore / Help / Search not working. After a painful set of browsing the registry, all the keys are in place with the right values!
6.) NET START (it shows the System Restore Service As Running)
7.) Disable / Enable / Restart System Restore Service (through Services under Administrative Tools)
8.) Disable System Restore on All Drives. Restart. Enable System Restore on Drives
9.) Ran System File Checker as such:
Start -> Run ->
sfc /scannow
It ran through, checked everything, and then it did not ask me to repair anything (so I assume everything is OK)
10.) SP2: Service Pack 2 comes pre-packaged with my Win XP CD, so I did not install it manually. I have seen various mentions of people trying to un-install SP2 to see if it helps. I am not at all convinced SP2 has anything to do with it, but I just thought I'd mention it.
11.) chkdsk /F C:\
C:\ is where Windows resides (my System partition). This of course asks to restart to gain exclusive access to the drive. I restarted, ran CHKDSK, everything is in order
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only thing i have NOT tried is to do a full-fledged repair. I am reluctant to do this because:
a.) It takes too long. The only thing that does NOT work on my machine is system restore
b.) Since ONLY System Restore is not working, I do NOT wish to re-install updates. Its far too much trouble to do that just for something as small as system restore
Just to be Clear:
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional w / SP2
ALL the latest critical updates from Microsoft
This has me baffled. I seem to have tried everything short of of a format/repair, but cannot get this to work. Can Anyone help?
PS: Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I could not find a section more suited for this.
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 11:50:49]
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 11:52:03]
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 11:54:12]
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 12:29:26]
After a lengthy serach on google, and NTCompatible, I was unable to find a fix that worked for me. First things first, here's a screen shot of what is going on:
Please note: I am NOT having the "blank Calendar" problem. See the screen shot!
That being said, here is a list of things i HAVE tried, none of which have fixed my problem (NOTE: I AM logged in as an administrator (of course).)
1.) Restore Registry keys accordingn to Microsoft Knowledge Base articles dealing with "Blank" Calendars. NOTE: I am NOT having a Blank Calendar problem. System Resotre doesn't even GET as far as showing me a calendar
2.) Tried regsvr32 for jscript.dll, vbscript.dll, and mshtml by running the following batch file:
<Some .BAT File>
@Echo Off
regsvr32 jscript
regsvr32 vbscript
regsvr32 /i mshtml
</Some .BAT File>
On All 3 of them, I got a message that says registered succesfully. I RESTARTED, but still not fixed!!!!
3.) Tried Restarting into Safe Mode and trying System Restore
4.) Tried Last Known Good Configuration, and trying System Restore
5.) Tried to manually check registry keys suggested by Microsoft that have to do with System Restore / Help / Search not working. After a painful set of browsing the registry, all the keys are in place with the right values!
6.) NET START (it shows the System Restore Service As Running)
7.) Disable / Enable / Restart System Restore Service (through Services under Administrative Tools)
8.) Disable System Restore on All Drives. Restart. Enable System Restore on Drives
9.) Ran System File Checker as such:
Start -> Run ->
sfc /scannow
It ran through, checked everything, and then it did not ask me to repair anything (so I assume everything is OK)
10.) SP2: Service Pack 2 comes pre-packaged with my Win XP CD, so I did not install it manually. I have seen various mentions of people trying to un-install SP2 to see if it helps. I am not at all convinced SP2 has anything to do with it, but I just thought I'd mention it.
11.) chkdsk /F C:\
C:\ is where Windows resides (my System partition). This of course asks to restart to gain exclusive access to the drive. I restarted, ran CHKDSK, everything is in order
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only thing i have NOT tried is to do a full-fledged repair. I am reluctant to do this because:
a.) It takes too long. The only thing that does NOT work on my machine is system restore
b.) Since ONLY System Restore is not working, I do NOT wish to re-install updates. Its far too much trouble to do that just for something as small as system restore
Just to be Clear:
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional w / SP2
ALL the latest critical updates from Microsoft
This has me baffled. I seem to have tried everything short of of a format/repair, but cannot get this to work. Can Anyone help?
PS: Sorry if this is in the wrong section, but I could not find a section more suited for this.
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 11:50:49]
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 11:52:03]
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 11:54:12]
[Edited by shassouneh on 2005-12-30 12:29:26]
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I have been experiencing the same issue and have something to add that might help us figure out the missing piece of information. The problem is related to IE 6 in someway. To explain further, I get the same System Restore blank screen as in the first post of this topic. But I also get a similar blank screen when I try to use IE6.
The problem started when I ran a script from McAfee to try and solve an annoying issue with VirusScan. After running the script, the problems with the blank screen on IE6 started. I then went to do a system restore to go back 24 hours to a point before I installed the McAfee script. That was when I discovered that the System Restore screen is also blank.
I have read about this problem in several different forums, and it appears that some of the functionality in IE6 is used in other areas in Windows. One of which is the System Restore screen. There seems to be a common theme in the forums that Java may be the issue. I'm not sure what the commonality is, but perhaps this information will provide the clue you are missing. I'm at the limit of my technical skills. If someone with more knowledge (and a programming background) can investigate the script I ran, maybe it has the answer to what it changed in IE 6 that is causing all these other problems.
The script is at http://tools.mcafeehelp.com/doc.php?siteid=1&docid=70285&support=ts
I would appreciate any help you can give. I need to be able to use system restore to get back to a point before the McAfee script caused all of these issues.
I have XP Home SP2 and IE6
Thanks for all the help.
The problem started when I ran a script from McAfee to try and solve an annoying issue with VirusScan. After running the script, the problems with the blank screen on IE6 started. I then went to do a system restore to go back 24 hours to a point before I installed the McAfee script. That was when I discovered that the System Restore screen is also blank.
I have read about this problem in several different forums, and it appears that some of the functionality in IE6 is used in other areas in Windows. One of which is the System Restore screen. There seems to be a common theme in the forums that Java may be the issue. I'm not sure what the commonality is, but perhaps this information will provide the clue you are missing. I'm at the limit of my technical skills. If someone with more knowledge (and a programming background) can investigate the script I ran, maybe it has the answer to what it changed in IE 6 that is causing all these other problems.
The script is at http://tools.mcafeehelp.com/doc.php?siteid=1&docid=70285&support=ts
I would appreciate any help you can give. I need to be able to use system restore to get back to a point before the McAfee script caused all of these issues.
I have XP Home SP2 and IE6
Thanks for all the help.
As in post: http://ntcompatible.com/thread33879-1.html#169365
Start->Run:
res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe/start.htm
Does it ask 'An ActiveX contol on this page might be unsafe to interact with other parts of the page. Do you want to allow this interaction?' and when you select Yes, does display the system restore screen?
Start->Run:
res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe/start.htm
Does it ask 'An ActiveX contol on this page might be unsafe to interact with other parts of the page. Do you want to allow this interaction?' and when you select Yes, does display the system restore screen?
Thanks for the quick reply.
I tried many different things yesterday, and I believe I tried this, but I'm not positive. If I remember correctly, since IE 6 is also not working, I was unable to get to System Restore this way. I will go home at lunch and verify this for you.
I appreciate the help.
I tried many different things yesterday, and I believe I tried this, but I'm not positive. If I remember correctly, since IE 6 is also not working, I was unable to get to System Restore this way. I will go home at lunch and verify this for you.
I appreciate the help.
Try this:
Search your \Windows folder for "mshtml.dll" (making sure you search hidden files and folders as well as system folders and, consequently, subfolders).
Look for the hotfixes and updates involving mshtml.dll (they have "KB???" in their path).
Uninstall the corresponding fixes using "Add and Remove Programs".
Run "regsvr32 mshtml.dll" via "Start | Run...".
See if System Restore has returned.
Re-apply the fixes and updates.
(You can also try re-registering an archived mshtml.dll directly using regsvr32 to see if it helps, by running "regsvr32 C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\mshtml.dll", for example. You can drag and drop the file to the "Run..." prompt.)
hope that helps,
-heinz
--
Heinz Tschabitscher
About.com Email
http://email.about.com
www.About.com
Search your \Windows folder for "mshtml.dll" (making sure you search hidden files and folders as well as system folders and, consequently, subfolders).
Look for the hotfixes and updates involving mshtml.dll (they have "KB???" in their path).
Uninstall the corresponding fixes using "Add and Remove Programs".
Run "regsvr32 mshtml.dll" via "Start | Run...".
See if System Restore has returned.
Re-apply the fixes and updates.
(You can also try re-registering an archived mshtml.dll directly using regsvr32 to see if it helps, by running "regsvr32 C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\mshtml.dll", for example. You can drag and drop the file to the "Run..." prompt.)
hope that helps,
-heinz
--
Heinz Tschabitscher
About.com Email
http://email.about.com
www.About.com
Thank you for the suggestion. I did solve my problem in another way, before I had a chance to test your suggestion. I hope that your idea works, because it appears that there are many others with the same problem.
If it helps, this is how I solved my problem. As I mentioned my problems started when a McAfee script screwed up IE 6. Some piece of Internet Explorer functionality is needed for the System Restore page to display. It appeared that I had a choice, reinstall IE 6, which looked like I might have to start over from SP2, or try installing the beta of IE 7 and see if it corrected the problems. I installed IE 7 and it fixed everything. Internet Explorer works, and the System Restore window is back! Whatever was corrupt in the registry was corrected when IE 7 installed.
Good luck folks!
If it helps, this is how I solved my problem. As I mentioned my problems started when a McAfee script screwed up IE 6. Some piece of Internet Explorer functionality is needed for the System Restore page to display. It appeared that I had a choice, reinstall IE 6, which looked like I might have to start over from SP2, or try installing the beta of IE 7 and see if it corrected the problems. I installed IE 7 and it fixed everything. Internet Explorer works, and the System Restore window is back! Whatever was corrupt in the registry was corrected when IE 7 installed.
Good luck folks!
Hey, I actually had this problem how i fixed it was go to this site ima give u and download the file olereg.vbs and run it and it should be fixed site is http://windowsxp.mvps.org/olereg.htm Happy easter
Hi There, i had the same problem with a blank page in my systems restore but diffrent , When i opened it it was blank white page, this last post i found here .....Hey, I actually had this problem how i fixed it was go to this site ima give u and download the file olereg.vbs and run it and it should be fixed site is http://windowsxp.mvps.org/olereg.htm Happy easter.... YES YES it fixed my problem for the systems restore , from the start ..I installed BPS spyware remover , Ran a scan netx thing i got a blank sys restore and also my Outlook express is the same evry email in my inbox , outbox ,drafts the whole lot are blank white pages , i fixed my sys r as i said but it didnt fix my out look problem ,
Can anyone help me plz i need a link like the last 1 but for outlook , thank you to who ever set up this forum ,
thank you kindly Jack
Can anyone help me plz i need a link like the last 1 but for outlook , thank you to who ever set up this forum ,
thank you kindly Jack
Originally posted by davist14:
Quote:my system restore page is blank too. please post your solution if you find one. i am very frustrated because i need to restore my computer quickly.
Here's what I did:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q193110/
uninstalled IE6
reboot
reinstalled IE6 from the XP cd
still didn't work, so i ran:
regsvr32 /i mshtml.dll
and it worked.
Quote:my system restore page is blank too. please post your solution if you find one. i am very frustrated because i need to restore my computer quickly.
Here's what I did:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q193110/
uninstalled IE6
reboot
reinstalled IE6 from the XP cd
still didn't work, so i ran:
regsvr32 /i mshtml.dll
and it worked.
I installed McAfee VirusScan 10.0 and before I knew it I was getting all sorts of “blank white screens” and Internet Explorer would not work. Some of the blank white screens are: System Restore, Computer Management/Expanded Services (not standard), McAfee’s Security Center, Internet Explorer (if it would run at all) and so on...
I found a posting on the internet that discussed Norton and McAfee’s anti virus programs creating an issue that deals with “script blocking”. If “script blocking” is enabled, wacky things start happening, and it’s enabled by default.
So...I found this posting and tried it all, nothing helped me to resolve my issue. I was on the verge of formatting my hard drive and starting over again.
I found one solution which worked for me. I downloaded and installed Internet Explorer version 7.0 beta 3. Once it was installed and after a reboot, everything came back to life, including my System Restore. I could then restore my system back to the day prior to installing McAfee’s VirusScan and everything was back to normal.
I sure hope this will help others out there that end up with this “Microsoft's White Screen of Death” as I like to call it!
8)
PS: Shortly after making this post, I reinstalled McAfee VirusScan 10.0. Yep, you guess it, the White Screen of Death is back! Installed IE 7.0 B3, and everything is back to normal. I check the McAfee settings and there is an advanced setting called "Enable ScriptStopper (recommended)". I will play with this setting and let you know what I find.
[Edited by tjernagel on 2006-07-27 02:04:33]
I found a posting on the internet that discussed Norton and McAfee’s anti virus programs creating an issue that deals with “script blocking”. If “script blocking” is enabled, wacky things start happening, and it’s enabled by default.
So...I found this posting and tried it all, nothing helped me to resolve my issue. I was on the verge of formatting my hard drive and starting over again.
I found one solution which worked for me. I downloaded and installed Internet Explorer version 7.0 beta 3. Once it was installed and after a reboot, everything came back to life, including my System Restore. I could then restore my system back to the day prior to installing McAfee’s VirusScan and everything was back to normal.
I sure hope this will help others out there that end up with this “Microsoft's White Screen of Death” as I like to call it!
8)
PS: Shortly after making this post, I reinstalled McAfee VirusScan 10.0. Yep, you guess it, the White Screen of Death is back! Installed IE 7.0 B3, and everything is back to normal. I check the McAfee settings and there is an advanced setting called "Enable ScriptStopper (recommended)". I will play with this setting and let you know what I find.
[Edited by tjernagel on 2006-07-27 02:04:33]
I had the same thing happen to me. I have been running IE7 for about two months now. Not only does the System Restore have a blank page, but all the vbScript on webpages does not run. Another symptom is when you use CTRL-F to do a find function on a web page, the function never gives you the ability to actually search after typing in your search string.
Go to Microsoft's downloads section and do a search for 'javascript'. This corresponds with KB article 917344. Run the program which will re-install your scripting engine. You will be prompted to reboot.
Go to Microsoft's downloads section and do a search for 'javascript'. This corresponds with KB article 917344. Run the program which will re-install your scripting engine. You will be prompted to reboot.
Sounds like my problem to. Running IE 7 I started getting Internet Explorer Script Errors a month ago. The other day when I started my laptop I got something wierd about some file missing for the registry and another source was used. I promptly got I E Script errors before even opening a browser. Now I get them doing certain things with 10 to 54 script errors piled up at each incident. Can't: get into support areas, install Flash, view event details in Event Viewer, view Extended Services in Computer management, toy with User Accounts or run Windows Update. I proboably have more Script Error problems than MS Support has KB articles for SP2. Is my computer a hypochondriac? No viruses. My script errors now have no data in the fields and I was surprised how many of them were sitting on each offending window.
There are a lot of things I haven't yet tried here and I am grateful for all of the links and tips. I think I'll really like this site.
Thanks a ton.
There are a lot of things I haven't yet tried here and I am grateful for all of the links and tips. I think I'll really like this site.
Thanks a ton.
I uninstalled IE7 and got some functionality with the browser, restore and the computer management. Right click didn't work on the browser, restoring didn't help, details in event viewer were unavailable, couldn't run ActiveX on support pages.
I eventually couldn't boot XP Home SP2 (corrupted registry) and had to move backup registry hives and restore further back in safe mode. (I didn't have everything backed up and I hate to lose anything.) After that I still had less than expected use of the system and prepared for a reformat. Services failure outside of WindowsScriptHost 5.6?
2 warnings though. 1) The Microsoft File and Settings Transfer Wizard has a history of being an unreliable way to back up and restore anything (KB30769.) I lost everything that wasn't otherwise backed up. I had the latest updates and sometimes there is no warning that the created files are useless or corrupted. No warnings and almost no way of recovering the files. More horror and a glimmer of hope on the net. 2) The KB article for moving registry hives (KB822705 & KB322756) with the Recovery console isn't quite right for some OEM's (like HP)due to the name of at least 1 earlier registry section copy having a different name. There are 5 sections with distinct names. SYSTEM and SAM are 2 of them. There are also batch scripts that can be made with notepad and a 6-floppy disk Recovery Console image source in MS Support. I had to manually download the authentication software and type in a return code to auqire the mandatory MS Genuine Authentication to download the disk creator. SP1 bootable disks/CDs don't work on SP2 NTFS partitions.
This was a straight 30 hour marathon with backups, floppies, a second computer, and a patient spouse who catered to me. Best of luck to everyone struggling with similar issues. Back up sooner rather than later if you can't replace your data.
I eventually couldn't boot XP Home SP2 (corrupted registry) and had to move backup registry hives and restore further back in safe mode. (I didn't have everything backed up and I hate to lose anything.) After that I still had less than expected use of the system and prepared for a reformat. Services failure outside of WindowsScriptHost 5.6?
2 warnings though. 1) The Microsoft File and Settings Transfer Wizard has a history of being an unreliable way to back up and restore anything (KB30769.) I lost everything that wasn't otherwise backed up. I had the latest updates and sometimes there is no warning that the created files are useless or corrupted. No warnings and almost no way of recovering the files. More horror and a glimmer of hope on the net. 2) The KB article for moving registry hives (KB822705 & KB322756) with the Recovery console isn't quite right for some OEM's (like HP)due to the name of at least 1 earlier registry section copy having a different name. There are 5 sections with distinct names. SYSTEM and SAM are 2 of them. There are also batch scripts that can be made with notepad and a 6-floppy disk Recovery Console image source in MS Support. I had to manually download the authentication software and type in a return code to auqire the mandatory MS Genuine Authentication to download the disk creator. SP1 bootable disks/CDs don't work on SP2 NTFS partitions.
This was a straight 30 hour marathon with backups, floppies, a second computer, and a patient spouse who catered to me. Best of luck to everyone struggling with similar issues. Back up sooner rather than later if you can't replace your data.
I've just had this problem for a few hours and fixed it by undoing what I had done.
I had tried to install "Visual Basic 6 Enterprise Edition" and it failed with the error "pdm.dll was unable to register itself in the system registry".
I searched the internet and one guy (bless his cotton socks) said that he got the installation to work by renaming the existing "pdm.dll" files he found in "Windows\system32" and in "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG". So I did the same. (Silly me.)
It didn't fix the VB 6 installation problem, but I noticed after rebooting that I got an unusual message: "Windows Configuring Data Access" on startup, and decided it was time to do a restore. That's when I saw the blank "System Restore" screen and rushed to the toilet.
So, to fix my problem, I renamed the "pdm.dll.old" files back to "pdm.dll" and the blank screen problem went away
The two files are:
(1) In C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG
PDM.DLL 176 KB 13/10/2004 18:46
(2) C:\WINDOWS\system32
PDM.DLL 180 KB 18/06/1998 00:00
Both file names are in upper case, the one in system32 is very old and I don't know where it came from!
I hope this helps someone with this problem.
I had tried to install "Visual Basic 6 Enterprise Edition" and it failed with the error "pdm.dll was unable to register itself in the system registry".
I searched the internet and one guy (bless his cotton socks) said that he got the installation to work by renaming the existing "pdm.dll" files he found in "Windows\system32" and in "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG". So I did the same. (Silly me.)
It didn't fix the VB 6 installation problem, but I noticed after rebooting that I got an unusual message: "Windows Configuring Data Access" on startup, and decided it was time to do a restore. That's when I saw the blank "System Restore" screen and rushed to the toilet.
So, to fix my problem, I renamed the "pdm.dll.old" files back to "pdm.dll" and the blank screen problem went away
The two files are:
(1) In C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG
PDM.DLL 176 KB 13/10/2004 18:46
(2) C:\WINDOWS\system32
PDM.DLL 180 KB 18/06/1998 00:00
Both file names are in upper case, the one in system32 is very old and I don't know where it came from!
I hope this helps someone with this problem.
Woohooo!!!!!
I had the same problem with blank restore screen and blank search screen. I tried everything in this thread and nothing worked until I got to the post. It only took 10 secs to complete instructions and see PERFECT results. Thank you, thank you, thank you user: AMITD for your posting.
I was near insanity------------------ Below, I have pasted the code that worked for me. Check AMITD's post for more info and a link. Good Luck to you all.
--
Look at the following link: http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?SID=1&AID=83294&c=1
I used it, had similar issues and it fixed the problem!
In short do the following:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regsvr32 jscript.dll, and then click OK.
3. Click OK.
4. Click Start, and then click Run.
5. In the Open box, type regsvr32 vb script .dll, and then click OK.
6. Click OK.
Good luck!
I had the same problem with blank restore screen and blank search screen. I tried everything in this thread and nothing worked until I got to the post. It only took 10 secs to complete instructions and see PERFECT results. Thank you, thank you, thank you user: AMITD for your posting.
I was near insanity------------------ Below, I have pasted the code that worked for me. Check AMITD's post for more info and a link. Good Luck to you all.
--
Look at the following link: http://www.wincustomize.com/articles.aspx?SID=1&AID=83294&c=1
I used it, had similar issues and it fixed the problem!
In short do the following:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type regsvr32 jscript.dll, and then click OK.
3. Click OK.
4. Click Start, and then click Run.
5. In the Open box, type regsvr32 vb script .dll, and then click OK.
6. Click OK.
Good luck!
