Solved Trying to install theme wrecked access control

R

retiredchicken

New Member
Hello, yes I'm a newbie so I'll try my best to address the problem.

I'm using a 32bit Vista and I was trying install a downloaded theme which required changing .dlls in the system32 folder. Of course, I didn't replace any dlls, I was trying to rename them so that I could paste the new ones into the folder. The instructions told me to grant myself (as an admin) full admin power by right-clicking system32 then properties then:

go to the security tab, click "advanced" to open second dialog, go to Owners tab, and change the owner to "Adminstrators". Save and close.
then in the previous dialog, in the security tab and click "edit" and tick "Full Control" to Administrators (Which is where my issue arised).

It seemed to fail and I cancelled it half-way. So I ignored it and kept trying to install my theme. I was able to rename imageres.dll to imageres.bak.dll, but now I can't change anything else. What happens is that when the screen usually goes dark and prompts for admin to authorize an action, it just flashes dark as if the process forces shut upon each attempt. I investigated a bit and found the following symptoms:

* I now can't run ANYTHING as adminstrator and just comes up with a dialog stating the directory of the application and "File System Error (65535)".
* [Control Panel > User Accounts], and [Control Panel > System] just comes up with a plain window saying "This page failed to load".
* Everything in Control Panel > Administrative Tools also returns the 65535 error.

I can't unrename imageres.bak.dll because the admin prompt forces shut now.

May anybody shed some light as to how I screwed up my access control, and what can I do about it? :(
 

My Computer

System One

Hi retiredchicken,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

The simplest solution is probably a System Restore.

Do you know when this problem began? Try a System Restore to a point in time BEFORE the problem began (give it a day or two extra to be sure). Here's the procedure: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html. Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points. If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two. NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates. Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.

If you don't have a genuine Vista Installation disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps made on a different computer).

To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence. To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup. Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit. Put the CD in the drive and reboot. When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!

P.S. Installing a theme rarely requires the steps you went through to do it. Something there doesn't seem right. Please post the link to the theme you are trying to install in your next reply so I can check it out - I want to make sure it is not malware and to verify the procedures which again seem excessive in terms of changing permissions, ownership, and .dll files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Hi,

I couldn't access System Restore through the usual GUI interface because the UAC prompt doesn't work anymore. So I went into the menu during boot up by pressing F8 and selected Repair my Computer. I was able to do a system restore from there and my problem is solved. So thank you very much!

The theme I was trying to install can be located here: Albook Theme - Free Download

Could you recommend a website with "trusted" themes not requiring the tedious, let alone risky, process to install?
 

My Computer

System One

Hi retiredchicken,

I'm glad to hear the problem is resolved. It was my pleasure - glad I could help.

Thanks for the feedback - it is appreciated.

As far as theme websites go, I don't really use themes myself (the default one is perfecty fine for my needs) so I don't know what's available and how difficult they are to install or what is typically required and have no specific recommendations (but if it involves any changes to system files or the registry like you described, make a restore point first and backup the registry just to be on the safe side). It wouldn't hurt to do a full backup before you start either. I would also return the permissions to normal when done to be on the safe side.

Here's a Bing search of Free Vista Themes: Free Windows Vista Themes - Bing. I'm pretty sure the site you visited is included in the listing (as I went through several searching for "easy" ones but could find none (and many were filled with ads and such). The one you visited seemed to be a fairly good one - I quite possibly would have chosen to include it had I created a listing of sites. Be careful of any that are loaded with ads or want you to provide personal information first. I think the problem you had was caused because you cancelled that procedure half-way through and that caused the problems to occur - you must follow the steps completely and thoroughly and not skip any and if you have that kind of problem, start over until you get it right - don't just continue.

I hope this helps.

If you consider this resolved, don't forget to close out the thread by clicking the far right triangular icon at the top of your post and typing "solved" in the box and submitting it. The moderators will notice and put a green check next to the thread title. That way others seeking answers by searching the forums will know that this thread contains a solution to the issue identified in the title - and people seeking to help will not waste time checking out this thread since it has been resolved.

And welcome to Vista Forums! Now that you know where we are, bookmark the site and post anytime you have further questions or problems or if you just want to browse and learn (especially the Tutorial section offers some excellent advice on a wide variety of topics) or even if you want to try to help answer a question if you happen to see one where you know the answer and it hasn't already been posted. While it most likely won't be me the next time (though it might), there are many very skilled, experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly people here who, like me, volunteer their time to help others and one or maybe even several will respond to your post to assist you. While there are other forums on the web that do this sort of thing, you've now found what I think is the best (and I've posted in and/or checked out quite a few) so don't lose this link - you never know when it might come in handy again.

Good luck and best wishes!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
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