MMC snap-in and side-by-side errors

[mnh001]

Hi,
About a week ago when I shut down the computer for the evening it was working fine.
I'm running Windows 7 on a 64-bit machine.

On startup the next day it was slow and took about a half hour before I could do anything
with it. I tried running some python script in visual studio code but it wouldn't run.
It said python wasn't installed. (it is) To boil down the story, depending on what I'm
trying to do I either get the error

"MMC could not create the snap-in" or I get

"The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is
incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line
sxstrace.exe tool for more detail".

When I try to reinstall the C++ libraries it goes thru the extract but then I get
the second error, once for each of the 18 packages it's trying to install. That being
said, when looking in ControlPanel/Programs and Features I find the C++ redistributables
for 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013. In the registry, at a location which I can no
longer find because I forgot where it was, it only listed 2005 and 2009 as entries.

I've done a CHKDSK from the command prompt which fixed a lot of stuff and allowed
it to startup much faster. I've done an sxs /scannow which also cleaned things up.
I've done an sxstrace which said that this file:

x86_microsoft.windows.c..-controls.resources_6595b64144ccf1df_6.0.7600.16385_en-us_581cd2bf5825dde9.manifest

had a syntax error in line 0. I can't open this file using anything on the affected
computer. Bringing the file to another computer it either shows it as empty or with
a line of boxes. I found this same file on the other computer and tried to use it as a
replacement on the affected computer but it said I don't have permission. I'm already
logged in as the administrator so what's up with that?

There was also a registry entry:

Fx:{b05566-ad-fe-9c-4363-be05-7a4cbb7cb510}

that one site recommended that could be deleted (after exporting it for safety first).
Doing that didn't seem to fix anything.

I've made sure that .net Framework 3.5.1 is checked. Nothing.

Trying to look in Event viewer is no good. It won't run and gives me the snap-in
error.

Any programs I try to use (Notepad, Textpad, etc) with any of these affected files won't
run. The only thing that seems to run just fine is the browser.

Between the 2 errors I'm kind of in a catch-22 situation. Any ideas how to fix all this? TIA

 

[file3456]

On its face, it sounds like you have some Windows corruption. And this may be a sign your hard drive is failing. First and foremost, I would check your hard drive. Run Crystal Disk Info. just to see what the SMART data says. CrystalDiskInfo – Crystal Dew World Now try Hard Drive Sentinel if the SMART data is fine. Hard Disk Sentinel - HDD health and temperature monitoring You may also want to check your hard drive manufacture's website for their own disk scanning tool.

If the drive is a bust, clone your hard drive now! I use the Chinese made AOMEI Backupper. No, I have not detected any malware in it or any of that, I just like its simplicity. Chose source (your computer), chose target (your external hard drive for the clone). That's it. There's Macrum Reflect, Clonezilla, etc as well. Clonezilla will clone an encrypted hard drive. I'd be apt to chose a sector by sector clone if the hard drive is going bad.

Now if the hard drive is fine you may want to do a repair install of Windows. Follow this guide. Repair Install

As to the registry madness. To find recently modified keys to help you narrow down what it is you're looking for, try RegScanner. https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/regscanner.html

 

[mnh001]

Well, I dl'd the crystal program but upon double-clicking the icon to install I got the side-by-side error.
I can't do a repair install because this machine did not come with any disks.
I can't do a system restore because apparently the system has never created a restore point.


I seem to be up the crick here.

 

[SIW2]

You can use any official ms iso file. They can be changed to offer all editions simply by pointing eicfg remover at the iso file

View attachment eicfg_removal_utility.zip


Alternatively post3475534

 

[mnh001]

I'm sure what you say is good but I have no idea what you just said. Perhaps you could clarify? Thanks.

 

[SIW2]

I can't do a repair install because this machine did not come with any disks

You can use any official ms iso file. They can be changed to offer all editions simply by pointing eicfg remover at the iso file

https://www.sevenforums.com/attachm...ap-side-side-errors-eicfg_removal_utility.zip


Alternatively see post3475534

 

[file3456]

He's talking about a tool that can be used to change Windows 7 versions. Like from Home to Pro, etc. You can download the Windows 7 disk (ISO), burn it to CD or placed on a USB stick with Rufus or some other USB ISO burning tool for lack of the proper name.

From Google:

The ei. cfg Removal Utility is a simple tool that will remove the ei. cfg file from any Windows ISO disc image, thereby converting the image into a "universal disc" that will prompt the user to select an edition during setup.

 

[mnh001]

Ah,I see. Ok, I'll try that. Thanks both.