XP WMI - where are Permissions?

[terrypin]

This post arises from my separate one about various XP (SP1) problems I'm having. They implicate Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). A typical message is
"Can't Collect Information: Access denied to Windows Management Instrumentation server on this computer. Have an administrator change your access permissions."

Although 'Permissions' is a black art to me (a sole user on a non-networked XP Home PC), I'm reading it up. So I could experiment carefully, if only I knew where the WMI permissions are to be found! Does anyone here know please?

BTW, I'm almost positive this issue stems from my install and prompt uninstall of SP2 two weeks ago.
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Terry, West Sussex, UK

[terrypin]

No one with any advice on this please?

I also since found possibly relevant MS KB 259733:
"To resolve these issues, you can configure the service to use the built-in system account, change the password for the specified user account to match the current password for that user, or restore the user's right to log on as a service."

What's that in plain non-techie English please?

I can access permissions in XP Home by using Safe Mode. But whereabouts do I go to do that?

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[ukulele]

You will find the administrator in control panel>user accounts. Log in in to the administrator account and then you can make changes. You best bet is to study the help files for that.

[Rocketmech]

WMI stores the info for SP2's Security Center about the Firewall,Updates and AV on your pc. Could be you just need to be sure Security Center and WMI services and its dependecies are enabled. These services should be set to automatic.

Run > sevices.msc

To edit permissions use the Group Policy Editor .

Run > gpedit.msc

http://www.theeldergeek.com/group_policy_editor.htm

[terrypin]

Thanks, but gpedit doesn't work in XP Home.

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

[Rocketmech]

Well , I do wear glasses , so no excuses I suppose. :confused:

Came across this info that may pertain to your problem. Worth a try anyway.

Msinfo32 - System Information (Error or Missing)

"Can't collect information Access denied to Windows Management Instrumentation server on this computer. Have an administrator change your access permissions."

Suggestions and Checkpoints:

Go to Start/Run and type in: services.msc. Scroll down to: Windows Management Instrumentation and make sure the Service is set to Automatic.

Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: net stop winmgmt. Then delete the %windir&\system32\wbem\repository directory. Once done go back to Start/Run/CMD and type in: net start winmgmt

If that doesn't help, try this:

Open a Command Prompt and type "winmgmt /clearadap" to clear prior WMI/resyncperf information from the registry.
Then type "winmgmt /resyncperf" to register the system performance libraries with WMI again.

[terrypin]

Thanks for the follow-up. Unfortunately, I had also tried that. And maybe half a dozen other things. So far in vain.

I'm almost sure this is a matter of changing permissions, but the key question is where? I'm swotting up on 'permissions' in general - a black art to me - but I need to locate some sort of target. A folder? A file? A registry key? What?!

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

[Rocketmech]

I searched Sysopt for your other posts (this is why you should stick to 1 thread) ... so lets backup a bit here...
History: Working XP Home SP1 pc > updated to SP2 > problems develope > uninstall SP2 > XP Home SP1 now not working, cannot access windows management infomation consoles. I think thats it in a nutshell (?)
When you look at it this way , its obvious Windows is corrupted , to the point an experienced user would simply elect to restore the system from a backup image. But , not everyone makes a backup, so you'd need to opt for a Repair Install (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) or Clean Install (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html) . I would make a Slipstream SP2 CD (http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=295) and install clean. If you do opt for SP2 , be sure your hardware drivers and 3rd party programs are updated for SP2.

Getting back to the question of WMI permissions ... as Uke argues and I agree here, is if you are the sole owner and Admin of the pc , then you should already have permission and access to everything. It could be your Profile is corrupt and so you may need to setup another user account with admin priveledges, see if that resolves the problem. If it does , move over anything you need from the old , then delete the old profile.
If your real adventurous, the WMI permissions are set in Computer Management . But I must say I've never had to make changes within the WMI Control. It doesn't set namespaces like files and folders , but according to objects within the API's . This area is for System Administrators, Analysts and SDK developers , not for the average Joeshmo's home pc user ( like me:) ) . To access WMI Control ,
Run > compmgmt.msc > Services and Applications > WMI Control > right click for properties > Security - to set permissions

Info:
http://www.winnetmag.com/Windows/Articles/ArticleID/7937/pg/2/2.html
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/wmisdk/wmi/setting_namespace_security.asp

[terrypin]

History: Working XP Home SP1 pc > updated to SP2 > problems develope > uninstall SP2 > XP Home SP1 now not working, cannot access windows management infomation consoles. I think thats it in a nutshell (?)

Not really. SP1 works fine except for a few areas implicating WMI. For example, SysInf (msifo32.exe) deosn't work. And I get 'No Dependencies' for any and all Services under te Dependencies tab of Properties. Hardly 'SP1 now not working,' but exasperating nevertheless.

When you look at it this way , its obvious Windows is corrupted , to the point an experienced user would simply elect to restore the system from a backup image.

Not really. You're distorting the balance sheet by ignoring other considerations. My last image of C: was made about 2 weeks ago. I've done quite a lot since then, most of it positive/benign. I would lose it all. What about the risk the image itself fails - at an extreme wiping out C:? And as that image was after the SP2 install/uninstall, it's very unlikely it would fix the WMI problem anyway.


you may need to setup another user account with admin priveledges, see if that resolves the problem. If it does , move over anything you need from the old , then delete the old profile.

Yes, I might try setting up a token new account, although after finding that this WMI problem occurs in the existing two other accounts I have already, I don't see why it should help?

And how would you recommend I "move over anything" I need, bearing in mind I need everything I already have? It's digressing, but I've long wanted to find a smart way to achieve that. Do you have one please?

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

[ukulele]

It seems odd to me that this problem exists at all. Obviously someone has to have full admin control over the system without any services being blocked. I suspect that installing SP2 makes fundamental changes to the way permissions are handled in XP that can never be undone even with an UN-install of SP2. I would bet that once installed the only way to completely remove it is to reinstall from scratch or from a ghost image. Don't forget that the main purpose of SP2 is to increase security which really can only be accomplished by eliminating some of the user control over the OS in the first place, but another just as important reason for the changes was to prevent users from blocking certain services from being circumvented that may have something to do with security issues beyond the local PC. Even if you have SP2 blocked for now, is it my understanding is that, like it or not, it will be forced on you again after 6 months. Why the forced compliance with a piece of software if you don't want it? Remember, when you buy windows, you are only buying a license to use it. You apparently only get to use it as Microsoft pleases, not the user.

[terrypin]

I hadn't thought of that - could be some substance to it. In which case, this couple of problems (and maybe others I haven't encountered yet) will remain until I get enough courage to reinstall SP2 again. Which won't be for a long time - the memories are still too fresh!

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

[ukulele]

Originally posted by terrypin
I hadn't thought of that - could be some substance to it. In which case, this couple of problems (and maybe others I haven't encountered yet) will remain until I get enough courage to reinstall SP2 again. Which won't be for a long time - the memories are still too fresh!

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Terry, West Sussex, UK

Or until you reload XP w/SP1 from scratch again.

[Strawbs]

Originally posted by terrypin
I can access permissions in XP Home by using Safe Mode. But whereabouts do I go to do that?Safe Mode is accessed by pressing "f8" as XP is about to boot and holding it down until you see the list of options - choose Safe Mode and you should then have access to the original "Admin" account at the login screen. You should be able to change your permissions there. If for some reason you can't change the permissions in "Safe Mode>Admin", you should at least be able to access your data through "Windows Explorer>Documents & Settings>User" from where you can drag it to a storage device\media for back up.

I wouldn't think this issue is caused by the service pack! It's more likely to have been a previously existing underlying problem that was only highlighted by installing the update!

SP2 appears to have a tendancy to bring "hidden" system file corruption to the surface - Not necessarily a bad thing IMO. If you do manage to get to your data, I would suggest a clean install using a slipstreamed CD to rid the computer of the problem once and for all.

[Rocketmech]

Have you tried this fix ?

Run>dcomcnfg > Component Services > Computers, right-click on "My Computer". Under "Default Properties" tab, set "Default Impersonation Level" from "Anonymous" to "Identify". Restart PC .

[terrypin]

Thanks. I've been trying to do so since yesterday, But it's a Catch 22 situation. There's plainly some instability in my setup in this area, because as soon as I click the Computers entry, or try to expand the '+' alongside it, the whole Component Services window closes!

Same happens in Safe Mode ;-(

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Terry, West Sussex, UK