I cant get system properties by any method

Hiya Elizabeth,

Managed to attach the usp10.dll file in safe mode but still cannot access system files.  I checked in the security and every box is checked in the allow section except the special permissions checkbox.

Do you think that my problem is some sort of malware issue?

Again I can only thank you for all your advice and help in this matter and will try one of them.  Out of interest, which one would you use?

Regards

Phil

Two more thoughts...

What happens if you create a new administrative user and try looking at system properties when logged on as this new user?

I have had success with this next idea in fixing various issues, not just on XP but also Vista machines, but it doesn't always work. You can only do this if your original installation was not at the SP3 level and it is worth a shot before doing a complete re-installation; try removing SP3 and re-installing it.

Before removing SP3 download the standalone installer here...

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=24

...then use it to re-install SP3 afterwards. Do not use Windows Updates to re-install SP3 - it won't work if you do!

How to remove SP3...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

NOTE: If your PC is an HP Pavilion, Presario or Media Center and has an AMD processor you might need to install this patch before re-installing SP3…

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?cc=uk&lc=en&dlc=en&softwareitem=pv-60484-2

Tricky

I downloaded your copy of sysdm.cpl file and it opened to system properties with a double click.

Short of a reinstall of your os, I am running out of ideas. :)

were you able to open system properties in safe mode while logged on as administrator?

EDIT: can you right click on your sysdm.cpl and choose properties, then  look at the security tab (has to be done in safe mode to view security tab) and ensure that your user name has full control of this file?

EDIT 2:  as a last resort it may be a deeply embedded infection and I would suggest you try one of these sites where there are more knowledgeable persons to clean such an infection:

Malware removal sites courtesy of LemP

Or -- and I think this is what you really should do because your problem is likely to be buried pretty deeply -- seek guided malware removal help from one of the specialty forums:

   • Bleeping Computer: Am I infected? What do I do?

      http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum103.html

   • MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware

      http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showforum=41

     • SpywareHammer: Malware Removal

      http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0

     • Spyware Warrior: Help with spyware removal

      http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5

   • DSL Reports: Security Cleanup

     http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup

   • Bluetack: Malware Removal

      http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php?showforum=172

Hiya Elizabeth,

I will do this now and in the meantime this is the link for the sysdm.cpl file

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=50C618B3B2B6CD0C!118

Regards

Phil

copy the file in safe mode. :)