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Device Manager Tab Missing

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8 replies

by john

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I have a client computer running Windows 98. When I go into System Properties, the Device Manager and Hardware Profiles tabs are missing. This problem also exist in Display Properties, the (Effects Web Settings) tabs are also missing. I reinstalledWindows over itself and it didn't correct the problem. This one has me stumped. Please help.

8 replies

by ipjunkie

This sounds to me like a Policy issue. Here is a possible resolution:

Unplug your workstation from the network
Edit the default local registry.
Remove all restrictions (put everything back to a white box).
Uncheck "enable user profiles" and "remote update" under local computer -Control Panel
Search for a config.pol on c:\windows, delete it if it exists.

hope this helps

by ipjunkie

Sorry, I neglected to mention that you have to use poledit, and the next post brings out.

by john

Thank you for your response. Your answer was on the right track and in combination with the other responses, helped me to solve a very difficult problem. Thank you for participating!

by zadwick

you need to use poledit to uncheck the polices in place.
U can find this on the win 98 disc, tools\reskit\netadmin.
Copy the poledit folder to a floppy
go to A drive double click the poledit.exe
Select commom adm file click open.
open registryand uncheck all relevant ticks.
Becarefull What you check!!!
You want to look at the local user 1ST !
Reboot and check afterwards.
Just remember what you changed.
Dont go and tick everything in there to see how secure it make you PC as it will lock you out!!!
Good Luck

by john

Thank you very much for your help! You pegged it. I played with TweakUI, user policies, and the registry to no avail. Using Poledit worked. I also noticed that the Windows Update feature can be disabled. I currently have a customer that can't get his Windows update to work. Maybe your solution will help me out with this also. I am just courious how these settings got changed. Poledit wasn't installed and no user policies were set and I don't see how TweakUI could have done this either. Could this be the work of a virus or is there something that my clients are playing with that I don't know? If you think you know the answer, I would appreciate you letting me know. john@rxpcdoc.com Again, thank you very much!

by kaisersose

Simply, goto start, run and type poledit and click OK. THe goto file and open registry. Double-click on local system and click on the '+' sign beside control panel. Choose system and untick the box beside restrict system control panel. Close the poledit window and choose yes to save changes to registry. Device manager is now visible when you right click on My computer and choose properties.

by john

Thank you very much for your reply. Your response along with the others helped me to piece together the answer I was looking for. Your response was very helpful in solving a very frustrating problem for me. I can't thank you enough! Great Job!

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