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Q317128: "Error Loading Driver" Err Msg Accessing Display Properties

Article: Q317128
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kberrmsg
Last Modified: 06-AUG-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
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IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you 
modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore 
the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the 
registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS
========

When you open Control Panel and then double-click the Display icon, you may
receive the following error message:

  Error loading driver.

You may be unable to open the Display Properties dialog box.

CAUSE
=====

This behavior can occur if your computer contains a corrupted or incompatible
third-party PropertySheetHandlers registry key. The registry key may become
corrupted or incompatible if you install or upgrade a third-party display
driver.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, export and then remove third-party PropertySheetHandlers
registry keys. To do this, follow these steps.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems
that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot
guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor
incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. In the Open box, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks), and then click
  OK.

3. Navigate to the following registry subkey:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion \Controls
  Folder\Display\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers

4. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.

5. In the "File name" box, type "propertysheethandlers registry key" (without
  the quotation marks), and then click Save.

  NOTE: You can undo the registry changes that follow by double-clicking the
  "propertysheethandlers registry key.reg" file.

6. Click the PLUS (+) sign next to the PropertySheetHandlers subkey to expand
  it.

7. Under the PropertySheetHandlers subkey, click the <chipset> CPL
  Extension subkey, where <chipset> is the chipset of your display
  adapter. For example, if you have an SIS chipset-based display adapter, click
  the SIS CPL Extension registry key.

8. On the Edit menu, click Delete.

9. When you receive a message that prompts you to confirm the key deletion,
  click Yes.

10. Under the PropertySheetHandlers subkey, click the PlusPack CPL Extentsion
  subkey.

11. On the Edit menu, click Delete.

12. When you receive a message that prompts you to confirm the key deletion,
  click Yes.

13. On the Registry menu, click Exit.

14. Restart the computer.

15. Reinstall the drivers for your display adapter.

  NOTE: If this issue occurred after you upgraded your display drivers, attempt
  to install an earlier driver with which you did not experience the behavior.

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

For information about how to contact computer hardware manufacturers, click the
appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q65416 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, A-K

  Q60781 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, L-P

  Q60782 Hardware and Software Third-Party Vendor Contact List, Q-Z

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical
support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not
guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kberrmsg 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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