Installation Rolled Back My PC

Hiya,

This is probably in the wrong forum - apologies for that, but I've no idea where else to put it.

Background; Installed Frameworks 1.1 a few days ago. The following morning I turned on my PC and was confused to discover a log on screen. (I only have one profile so it usually skips straight to the desktop.) Something that confused me even more was that the log on screen resembled more a pre-SP1/2 (or even Win98) style plain grey box as opposed to the jazzy one I've grown used to.

When I got into my main profile, I noticed that the image next to the name in the startup menu had gone, as well as a new user - asp.net - created in the User Accounts page. Also, when pressing ctrl+alt+del the screen fades out and 'Windows Security' comes up instead of going straight to the Task Manager. There were a few other differences I'd mentally noted down... but I've forgotten them. Sorry.

I deleted the asp.net profile and forgot about it. However, while going through my general business, it suddenly came to my attention that some of the software I usually use normally had been playing up; Nero had burnt four bad disks when it usually works perfectly. These could be coincidence, but I thought I should just mention it.

This morning I decided to re-install SP2 and see if that would help. It didn't.

I know you lot in here are more used to the complicated questions to do with Framework, but I've tried loads of other places and no one seems to know what the hell happened. Help (or even a little information) would be very appreciated.

Please be nice. ;)

Cheers.

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Installation Rolled Back My PC

JimGries - MSFT
Well, it took me the best part of the day (and consisted of quite a few scares), but I think I've finally done it.

Everything seems to be back to normal (all graphics back up to date etc.) and I'm one very chuffed bloke.

Cheers Evan; Your help has been fantastic. I really appreciate all the time you've dedicated to this.

Many, many thanks.
Coroebus
Ok, to start, I am assuming that you are using Windows XP Professional. And, you are sure that you were installing the 1.1 Framework. First, you should never just go around deleting things on your PC without finding instruction first, because trust me on this one (hint: I have learned the hard way) you can really screw some stuff up. Not for nothing, and I am not an expert, but are you sure that it actually rolled back your PC The easiest place would be to check your system profile. I have heard of cases where installing the .NET Framework SDK with SP2, where it for some reason likes to change your visual win settings to the Windows Classic mode. (More of a developer feel than the "cushy GUI" of XP.) In your case, I hope that this is all that it is. It could also be a failed or incomplete install. Check out the links I listed below and you can always try to reinstall the .NET Framework, or if you have the software, go for the 2.0. Regardless, you can check your display settings by:
Start > Control Panel > Display > Appearance Tab > Windows & Buttons Drop-box >> Switch it to Windows XP style (if it isn't already) > Apply.
Hopefully that will fix your problem, and avoid further pain. If that doesn't work, or isn't part of the problem let me know and I will ask around to see if I can find anything.

This is ONLY for MS .NET Framework 1.0 & 1.1
http://astebner.sts.winisp.net/Tools/dotnetfx_cleanup_tool.zip
Read this first:
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2005/04/08/406671.aspx
And here is one upcoming for 2.0:
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/2005/04/16/408856.aspx

(P.S. If I sound a little grouchy it isn't your fault. I have been kept awake all night by this screeching bird from outside. I think it might have gotten its feet like frozen in a puddle or something.)

Hope that helps mate! Cheers!!!
Vidhan
Roland:

It is my pleasure... I never mind helping someone. Did my instructions work, or did you you have to do anything else It suddenly kinda hit me the other day... I was like oh yeah... that was so long ago that it happened to me that I almost completely forgot... anyways I ask because i recently started a blog, and I am gonna make a post about it so I dont forget again and I want to make sure I give proper directions. (it may be done by the time you read this, but run over to my blog and give it a look and let me know if I missed anything. i wouldnt want to have another poor person go through that trauma... I also may be able to clear it up a bit better so it isnt so choppy) Glad everything is starting to work out for you. If you have any other questions, you can feel free to send me an email or post up on my blog... I will do my best... Regards...
Kevin E
Ok then, on to more drastic measures. First off, there are many ways in which the Framework uses the ASP.net account, but the general idea is that when the framework is utilized, it uses this account to access the computer where it has limited access to the system as to hopefully not cause corruption during the process. I should have mentioned before that the best way to check your windows version is by Start > Run... > and type winver . I say that because the sysprops can be easily modded/hacked. Anyways, trying to fix your problem...

WORKING WITH THE REGISTRY
As always, whenever working with the registry you should always back up your registry. (Technically one should do it whenever installing or uninstalling any piece of software, but that can become a bit excessive for the average user.) To back up your registry, you must first decide whether you will back up just parts, or the entire thing. (However, in your case, you probably don't necessarily need to since you have a lot of data and no way of safeguarding it anyway. Things couldn't get too much worse I guess, but I never said that.)

To back up certain pieces, go to Start > Run... > and type regedit > locate the keys which you will need to back up > select the key or subkey > File > Export > select save location > Save. Alternatively, you can right-click the key or subkey > select save location > Save.

To back up the entire registry, follow these directions.

If you need to restore the backup, follow these directions.

STARTING CLEAN
This is what I would recommend that you do. Remove all or what is left of the .NET Framework using the tools outlined above. If you can, remove XP Service Pack 2. We will start fresh her to ensure you get everything. (Alternatively you can try to just reinstall the SP over it.)

INSTALLING WIN XP SP 2
Now first off, do as I said with the "about windows" feature. Then, after you have checked that you are in fact running Windows XP with SP2 still installed, continue on. If you do not, install SP2 and reboot the PC.

INSTALLING .NET FRAMEWORK 1.1
Next, install the .NET Framework 1.1. Check your Add/Remove Programs to ensure it is now successfully installed. I would reboot the PC.

INSTALLING .NET FRAMEWORK 1.1 SERVICE PACK 1

Next, download and install the .NET Framework SP1.

ASP.net Security Update for .NET Framework 1.1 SP1

Now, download and install the ASP.net Security Update for .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 and reboot again.

MICROSOFT UPDATE

Finally, run Microsoft Update and download any updates there may be to ensure that your computer is up to date and has the latest fixes.

Then from there, if your toolbar and stuff is still funky, do what I told you earlier about the display properties.

NOTE:
After you complete this, if you do not wish to have the logon screen at all, you can use the Microsoft Tweak UI Powertool and expand logon > autologon > check "Log on automatically at system startup" and it will log on to the set account automatically unless you hold SHIFT while the machine is booting.
-OR-
The safer way of doing this would be to click Start > Run > and type control userpasswords2 . Clear the "Users must enter a username and password to use this computer" field. Click Apply. Enter the user/pass combo you normally log in with. Click OK. Click OK again. You may or may not be able to bypass this method... have to test it to find out. You can always still undo it, or log off/switch users to get to another account if need be.

Hopefully this will help you. Personally speaking, with the amount of installs and uninstalls plus the amount of data you have on your computer, I would backup the data and do a clean reformat as soon as possible just to get rid of any corruption and start clean. I usually do it to all of my computers at least once a year as a good habit. Let me know how things turn out. I think that after doing this, the SP and any other updates should restore any lost functionality. If not, we can conitnue from there.

Once you are all cleared up, I would suggest installing 1.1 in a side-by-side installation with 2.0 because a lot of programs and sites will now use the new version. You can install them together.

This is also another example of why Microsoft VPC is such a great application. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Cheers!
http://geekswithblogs.net/evanwinslow/
eman67
Thanks for getting back to me. Very appreciated. (Don't worry about sounding grouchy)

Unfortunately, that hasn't worked.

It's the strangest thing. I have a laptop that's exactly the same as this PC (WinXP Pro, SP2 etc.) with Framework recently installed and nothing has changed.

While I don't think it has performed an actual rollback, a few pieces of software now don't work and a good portion of the graphics have reverted back to standard pre-update XP (in the start menu it says 'Shut Down' as opposed to 'Turn Off Computer'). It's incredibly frustrating.

I've uninstalled and then reinstalled (and visa versa) Framework a few times and everything has stayed pretty much the same.

This person seems to be having the same problem, but doesn't say as much about the graphics.

I'm all out of ideas. Tempted to wipe everything, but as I can't burn anything there's about 10Gb of important business stuff I'd lose.
Installation Rolled Back My PC

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