Intel Desktop Utilities problem after XP reinstall

Hello all!
I did a repair/reinstall of Windows XP to correct a problem, and now every time I turn on my computer, I get a message saying that Intel Desktop could not load into my tray, and the usual little icon doesn't appear. When I checked my Intel program, I got "Main program for Intel Desktop Utilities has encountered a problem and must close..." I believe this is affecting my Windows media player. What have I done NOW?

I have searched Intel and Windows support to no avail. Should I reinstall/repair the Intel program? After what happened to me when trying to reinstall XP (see my "system restore not working at all" thread), I'm terrified to put the disk in the drive. What should I do? Thanks for any advice.
legolass

 

Hi again! Well, TimW, I created a restore point, backed up to spare drive, and worked up the courage to uninstall Desktop Utilities. I hit change/remove, and a box flashed up and disappeared so quickly I couldn't read it. I tried again a few times, and managed to read part of it, something like "Intel Desktop Set-up Wizard is removing..." I saw a bar with about 4 or 5 green squares, and then the box would vanish, and nothing changed; ie, the program is still there. And the more I clicked on change/remove (trying to read the box) the faster it disappeared. Should I insert the Intel CD and then try again to uninstall? Thanks!
legolass

 

Hi all! OK, TimW, I got brave and put in the disk. It told me that Desktop Utilitites was on the system, but I checked it and hit Install anyway. About 1/3 of the way through, I got the following: Error applying transforms. Verify that the specified transform paths are valid. D:\software\Applications\ SW_Application\Intel_R_Desktop_Utilities_with_Intel_R_Active_Monitor\ Intel_R_Desktop_Utilities_2.0.8.43\3_party\BackupNOW\1033.MST

Then the install carried on, finished, and FAILED. Next????
legolass

 

Hi y'all! OK, TimW, here's the latest. I downloaded CCleaner. I cleaned, tried to uninstall through their program, and did the issues. I had 419 issues. I repaired them all. I tried to reinstall Utilities. I got the same exact error again. Utilities contains a program called NTI Backup Now, which I think is my problem source. I tried to uninstall it by itself, and I couldn't. I got error messages about transform paths and that Windows couldn't find the file, etc. and to look for the right folder, etc. I did a search for BackupNow, and found something called "3rd BackupNow.iss under C:\WINDOWS\system32. When I tried to open this file, I got "Windows cannot open this file because it doesn't know what program created it... Is this the source of my woes? I ran Issues again and it didn't show me this file. What, oh what, do I do now? Thanks for your help!
legolass

 

Hi! TimW, I was able to delete that file, and got another one: Backupnow.exe-27367969.pf, which Windows also cannot open because it doesn't know what created it. I didn't do anything to it. Then before I could try a reinstall, my Windows Defender, then Norton Anti-Virus scans started up. I played Spider Solitaire while they ran. Then I went away for a few minutes (leaving a partially finished game up). When I came back, I had a blue screen that said Windows is shutting down to protect my computer from serious harm, that I had Bad_Pool_Header, and before I could read anything else it rebooted itself. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE???!!!! help me...
legolass

 

Hi TimW - I did the Panda, and got a spyware file - it's a tracking cookie that I'm running Ad-Aware to get rid of. So I don't think it's a big problem. Interestingly, after the HELL we went through to get my System Restore up and running, it told me it could not restore my computer back to the point I requested, and that no changes were made. Before I could ask it to go back to an earlier point, I got a message re my BSOD - a serious error has occurred and do I want to send a report. I did send it, and got the same problem I've had since my friend (sadly, now deceased) built this computer - the error was caused by a device driver (unknown) that has not been correctly installed. Which is why I've been asking MG for help - I'm trying to get everything on here to work properly so this doesn't happen anymore. Although I can now access System Restore, I'm not sure why it wouldn't actually work, Desktop Utilities won't work, and I'm still having this device driver problem. How can I fix all this stuff?? And will I, too, be a Major Geek by the time I do?
legolass

 

Hi again! Well, all the drivers are OK. I clicked on every + to open everything, and nothing had a ? or a !. Is there such a thing as a software rather than a hardware driver? And I'm sorry I couldn't tell you more about the BSOD - I didn't see it fast enough before it rebooted.
legolass

 

Hi TimW: Ran scannow and it took a while, then the box just disappeared. Does that mean everything's OK? And if so, what interesting thing should I do next?
legolass
p.s. Thanks for your patience. You're a NICE GUY!

 

Hi TimW - yes, it's the only anti-virus I have. I ran the scan again (while playing cards, yet!) and it worked fine. Didn't catch anything, either. The stop error always came intermittently, sometimes it wouldn't happen for weeks, then it might happen two or three times in one day. Do you think this is linked to my Desktop Utilities problem?
legolass

 

Hi there! OK, TimW, I will. Meanwhile, what can I do about Desktop Utilitites? Is there any way I can get this on and working? And I'm having a problem with Windows Media Player - is this related or is this a whole new issue? I am posting a new thread just in case.
legolass

 

See if running the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility helps. Run it for the Desktop Utilitites then try to reinstall.

http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4459

Steve

 

Hi Steve - I installed the Cleanup Utility, and now I can't find it! There's no icon on my desktop. Where did it go? Or how do I find it? (Sorry, but I am a computer moron.)
legolass

 

Hi Steve - never mind, I found it! Thanks!
legolass

 

Hi again! Ok, hopefully this is something you can use. I was able to get rid of any trace of the Desktop stuff using the Cleanup (thanks, Steve). Then I tried to reinstall it and it worked perfectly. No errors, install successful. Then, I got the old "Intel Tray program had to close..." I did what TimW suggested, and got details:

AppName: iptray.exe AppVer:2.0.8.35 ModName: Kernel32.dll ModVer:5.1.2600.2180 Offset: 0001eb33
File: C:\DOCUME~1\Chris\LOCALS~1\Temp\ae5d_appcompat.txt

I tried to open the program, and got "Main program for Intel Desktop Utilities has encountered an error..." The details are:
AppName: Intelmain.exe AppVer: 2.0.8.43 ModName: Kernel32.dll ModVer: 5.1.2600.2180 Offset: 0001eb33
File: C:\DOCUME~1\Chris\LOCALS~1\Temp\9d89_appcompat.txt

Does this mean anything but gibberish to anyone? At this point, I'm thinking this is an Intel problem that THEY should know how to fix, so I sent an email to their support people. Any volunteers to carry it on if I should die of old age before they reply? Any suggestions on what to try next? Or should I just shred the CD and move on to the next problem??
legolass

 

See if this helps. In the Control Panel go to administratives tools, services and "activate" the Intel service.

Steve