rundll32.exe stops responding in NT4 server

[Bleek]

Right this one is odd and very very annoying.

I can't uninstall programs, I can't view a lot of control panel items including TCP/IP properties and I neeeeed to! The window simply greys out, but, it doesn't show as not responding in taskman. The only way around this is to stop rundll32.exe process, but that simply clears the problem off the screen and wont allow me to access the properties of TCP/IP for example.

Anyone seen this odd behaviour before?

[Steve]

I had a similar problem in XP once - it was down to a corrupt DLL file somewhere. I could use the menu's, but I got an error when trying to access TCP/IP settings :S

It took me two months to work out what file was nackered and delete it - forcing a replace from the dll cache.

Try a chkdsk - but I guess you've done that already.

[Paul Adams]

Most common resolution for NT 4.0 issues is to reapply the service pack (hopefully you're on 6a).

I can only suggest giving that a go...

[Bleek]

Ok cheers, will try the service pack re-install.

[Bleek]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Service Pack re-applied yet it stops at the very end of the install but DOES NOT stop responding, just sits there 'finalizing' as it does with other things. No erroes, no nothing.

[Paul Adams]

Anything in the event logs?

Any of the services listed as "stopping" but never reaching "stopped" status?

I think my approach (other than to upgrade to a Windows 2003 ) would be to reboot, stop every service that I could, then try the SP again.

[Bleek]

Anything in the event logs?

Any of the services listed as "stopping" but never reaching "stopped" status?

I think my approach (other than to upgrade to a Windows 2003 ) would be to reboot, stop every service that I could, then try the SP again.

Already checked for services, no errors on services or stops.

Upgrade is out of the question at present, I've already spent to much money this quarter, you know how it is.

Next stop, kill those services till its running on one leg then re-try the SP.

[Bleek]

Stop all services I could and tried re-applying the SP, no luck.

The whole service pack transfers over and then at the very end it just sits there, does'nt stop responding or time out, just sits there.

What the hell is wrong with this NT4 box? Would I be able to install NT4 over the top of itself or would that bugger the system?

[Paul Adams]

Sorry Bleek, getting out of my depth now

Not dealt with NT4 systems in a few years, and never had that particular problem applying SP6a.
Not at all sure about the impact of trying to reinstall the OS over the top, the entire concept of that (with any OS) just scares me.

I've had a look around the MS support site but I can't see it as a common problem, at a guess I'd say unfortunately your inability to apply the SP is most likely related to the original problem too :s

Sorry I wasn't much help there mate.

[Butuz]

My advice is to wipe and restart from scratch if you can not find the exact problem. NT4 is a bit of a bitch, far less forgiving than 2000 or 2003, it will not take kindly to trying to reinstall it over itself. Worth a try tho!

Not come across that error. Infact, touch wood, not come across any NT4 error that a restart didnt cure, maybe i am just lucky?

Butuz

[Bleek]

Sorry Bleek, getting out of my depth now

Not dealt with NT4 systems in a few years, and never had that particular problem applying SP6a.
Not at all sure about the impact of trying to reinstall the OS over the top, the entire concept of that (with any OS) just scares me.

I've had a look around the MS support site but I can't see it as a common problem, at a guess I'd say unfortunately your inability to apply the SP is most likely related to the original problem too :s

Sorry I wasn't much help there mate.

To be honest I've only been in an IT support role for 4 years (7 years in 'none' pro role) and so haven't touched NT boxes nearly as much 2K. So I'm not that familiar on the NT stuff either.

The SP problem is definately related to the other problems... I will just keep searching the ms newsgroups and posting for help I guess.

[Bleek]

My advice is to wipe and restart from scratch if you can not find the exact problem. NT4 is a bit of a bitch, far less forgiving than 2000 or 2003, it will not take kindly to trying to reinstall it over itself. Worth a try tho!

Not come across that error. Infact, touch wood, not come across any NT4 error that a restart didnt cure, maybe i am just lucky?

Butuz

Trust me I'd love to spend some money and get a full upgrade, its a P3 server you see.

As it stands I can't just rebuild it from scratch or else I would, right now!

[Bleek]

Right IDEA!

I copied msconfig.exe to the NT4 machine and I'm going to run that in diag mode to stop all but the needed system services and then try applying the SP again. Anyone see any problems with that?