KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q176357: Err Msg: Critical Information About the Desktop Could Not Be…

Article: Q176357
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WINDOWS:; winnt:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbenv kberrmsg kbui
Last Modified: 30-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows NT 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

After you use the Emergency Repair process to repair or verify your Windows NT
system files, you may receive the following error message when you log in to
Windows NT:

  Critical information about the desktop could not be retrieved from the
  registry. Your registry may be corrupted.

When you click OK, a blank desktop with only your background wallpaper appears.
The Start button, taskbar, and desktop icons are not displayed.

CAUSE
=====

Some of the updated Windows NT 4.0 system files required by Internet Explorer
4.0 have been replaced by the original Windows NT 4.0 files.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Remove Internet Explorer 4.0 using the Ieremove.exe tool. For information
  about using the Ieremove.exe tool, see the following article in the Microsoft
  Knowledge Base:

  Q166314 Removing Internet Explorer for Windows NT 4.0 Using Ieremove.exe

2. Reinstall the latest Windows NT Service Pack.

  NOTE: When you install a Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack, it is important to
  create an Uninstall folder only during the first installation of the Service
  Pack. Uninstall folders created during subsequent installations of the
  Service Pack do not properly uninstall the Service Pack.

3. Reinstall Internet Explorer 4.0.

STATUS
======

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To repair or verify the Windows NT system files on a computer that has Internet
Explorer 4.0 installed, first uninstall Internet Explorer and the Windows NT
Service Pack. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon, click Microsoft Internet Explorer
  4.0, click Add/Remove, click "Uninstall Internet Explorer 4.0 and all its
  components," and then click OK.

3. When you are finished uninstalling Internet Explorer, uninstall the Windows
  NT Service Pack. To do so, start the Service Pack installation program and
  choose the Uninstall The Service Pack option when you are prompted.

4. Repair or verify the Windows NT 4.0 system files using the Emergency Repair
  process. For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft
  Knowledge Base:

  Q103280 Using an Emergency Repair Disk Created by Windows NT

5. When the Emergency Repair process is complete, reinstall the latest Windows
  NT Service Pack, and then reinstall Internet Explorer 4.0.

For more information about the Emergency Repair process and Windows NT 4.0
Service Pack 3, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q146887 Repairing Windows NT After the Application of Service Pack 3

Additional query words: ERD SP3 msient

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbenv kberrmsg kbui 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbIEsearch kbZNotKeyword2 kbIENT400Search kbZNotKeyword3
Version           : WINDOWS:; winnt:4.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.