Device Manager empty

I, too have the same problem. However using run>services.msc I get the followiong error message

"Unable to open service control manager database on."
"Error 5: Access is denied."

Do you folks feel this is a malware problem as well?

At the same time the Device Manager problem started I also lost access to System Information. Using run, msinfo32 I get nothing, nada, zip.

Win XP Pro SP 2
Pentium 4 2.80 gigahertz
Maxtor HD 41.11 GB
516 MB memory
Connected to internet by cable

 

Are you logged in on an administrator account?

 

Yes, as I am the only user of this machine.

 

What about Safe Mode? Will it open there?

 

Device Manager Appearing Empty!

 

No will not open in safwe mode nor will system information.

 

I misinformed you, both Device Manager and System Information will start and operate as they should while in safe mode.

 

Is Plug and Play started within (Click start, RUN, then type in: services.msc (press enter))?

If not, then start it. (or rather make sure it is not disabled. IF IT is disabled, then double click the Plug and Play service, then make sure that [Startup Type is set as "Automatic"]. Now click START.

Then try accessing device manager.

 

He can't run services.msc. Thats part of the problem.

 

There is always MSCONFIG and net start within cmd.exe:

But one might want to check the Event Log for errors that might pin point why the services won't start.

 

Thanks to everyone who has tried to help but I am now at the point where a re-install is necessary. Windows Installer 3.1 will not work despite being uninstalled thru control panel and then re-installed from Microsoft install page.
My CD burner no longer recognizes any blank disk in the drive and cannot reinstall the drivers because of the windows installer problem, in fact I cant download and install anything that uses Windows Installer. It, Windows installer, is shown as idle in services but I cannot access services in admion . options. The list goes on. Well you get the picture.

 

You could try a repair, you really have nothing to lose. (don't know what you've tried as I only skimmed through the thread)

However, if you don't mind formatting, sometimes that's the only way.

 

I did the re-install, it just wasn't worth the aggravation trying to resolve one issue while another surfaces. I had nearly everything backed up on disk so it wasn't really that much of a problem, just time consuming.

Now everything works as it should.

Again, my thanks to all who tried to help.

 

Good to hear. I strongly suggest you pay a visit to the MALWARE forum and follow their advice in the stickies to prevent this from happening again.

 

I'm presently running Adaware, sypbot search and destroy, HiJackThis, registry mechanic, reg seeker, Zone Labs Pro and AVG anti virus.

I will take a run over there, however, and see what else I could be running.

Thanks Insomniac.