Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Control Panel Icons Locked

0 helpful
17 replies

by shantie

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
Windows 98se. If I double click on any icon that has anything to do with the system for example all icons in Control Panel, get message saying "you are not authorised to access these items" Okay I have seen this with Win2000, WinXP etc. but not with Win98. There are no other users,no password to log onto when windows boots up. Could someone tell me how this has been done. I am more interested for a lady who teaches basic computer skills, she has three systems for learning on and she says her students realy mess things up. This would be a good idea if I can lock certain items so students can not open them. Thank you

17 replies

by blackcurrant

Hi

I don't know how to deal with your specific problem, but...

Try this resource:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=149648&sd=RMVP

for a list of the applets that are used in Control Panel. If there are any you wish to hide you can add the applet's name to a file named control.ini located in the C:\windows folder.

You can also use TweakUI to hide applets.

Good luck

by blackcurrant

I would try using poledit.exe (the system policy editor) to change the settings regarding access to the control panel icons. Run poledit.exe then go to Default User>Windows 98 System>Control Panel or maybe Restrictions (I've never used this so this is guess work).

If you experiment then you should be able to work it out. BUT - remember to backup your registry before making any changes.

by shantie

I have not had this particular computer back yet, but have been viewing all the help topics on poledit on Microsoft and gives me a place to start. thank you

by nv_skumar

search your system control panal link files .cpl
if files copy to c:\windows\system32 to moved or copied try and rply

by nv_skumar

search your system control panal link files .cpl
if files copy to c:\windows\system32 to moved or copied try and rply

by weavexi

maybe you or someone accidentally installed a windows security software like tweakUI or PC Security and disabled control panel features.

try to locate these softwares and find restore defaults feature for the software.

if you're looking for in depth technical solution to your problem please let me know

by shantie

I have not had this computer back as yet, but think that the poledit and your suggestion of security software are probably got something to do with it, thanks for the reply

by sgt_shultz

when i get a win98 box with stuff like that this is how i like to tshoot it:
start in safe mode. while there backup existing registrys. see if problem occurs in safe mode.
bet it won't
then i take the program from www.mcafee.com called s-t-i-n-g-e-r tht i have on a floppy, copy it to pc and run it.
then i load ad-awere personal se that i have downloaded and burned on a cd with its latest updates and definitions from www.lavasoftusa.com. or do you get safe mode with networking in win98? can't remember if you can you may find you can use internet and download straight to this bad pc.
then i scan in safe mode using ad-aware. i reboot and scan again until clean. if adaware can't remove stuff i make careful note of filenames and locations and check the registry permissions and folder permissions but think you are right does not apply to win98...
get her to quit using win98 is my 2 cents worth on curing this long term. otherwise you could consider product like Norton Internet Security with parental controls.
if XP box, microsoft has new articles on how to secure 'public' xp boxes. check it out at security.microsoft.com

by shantie

the computer does not realy have aproblem I just wanted to know what can lock the control panel. It is a business computer and not connected to the internet. Thank you

by shantie

Tried poledit.exe by going to start, run. Come up with message 'could not find'
Any other ideas Thanks

by gigelul

Poledit it is not installed by default. You can find it on Win98 CD (I don't have right now a Win98 CD to give the full path)

by normh3

After you solve all the issues, you might consider using GHOST to image the hard drives. This way they can be re-imaged to a healthy state after the students muck things up.

by shantie

Sorry the teacher in this situation would not know how to re-image the drives, she just teaches basics.

This discussion is closed to new replies.