WinXP Add/Remove Programs list not populated

[jstanle1]

Hi --

I have WinXP, SP2. When I pull up the Add/Remove Programs dialog from the control panel, it says "Please wait while the list is populated...", then nothing further happens. Something is still running, taking a few percent of the CPU, but the list of installed programs never comes up. I've waited over an hour, but there's nothing.

I have Microsoft and AdAware anti-spam and antivirus software installed, and they report no problems.

What's likely to be causing this, and how do I get that list back?

Thanks for any pointers.

[Subsider]

search sysoc.inf
C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 sysoc.inf right click and click install if that dont work
C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUninstall$ sysoc.inf right click and click install
optional - go to C:\WINDOWS\inf find sysoc.inf open in notepad remove all entries of word ,hide, but leave the ,,
let me know how it go's !

ps add spybot search and destroy to your list of spyware removal tools !
counter spy is good also !

[Weed]

the sysoc.inf file is only 4 the windows xp built in components not the installed software
i recommend this uninstaller
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/myuninst.zip
its just 34kb big and doesnt need to be installed and its faster then the windows xp
if u dont like it then just uninstall all the software u want to install and hope u get the list back

[Subsider]

the sysoc.inf file is only 4 the windows xp built in components not the installed software
i recommend this uninstaller
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/myuninst.zip
its just 34kb big and doesnt need to be installed and its faster then the windows xp
if u dont like it then just uninstall all the software u want to install and hope u get the list back
ignoring the problem by using 3rd party software isnt a fix its a band aid . my thought was it was looking for this inf file and couldnt find it or is corupt ,hence why it was hangin !

[Weed]

but the sysoc.inf file doesnt have anything to do with the add/remove software only the add/remove components
i know ignoring the problem isnt a fix but maybe he could use this to fix it the problem, maybe uninstall some software will fix it.

btw. with rightclick it wont work to install sysoc.inf cuz there is no [DefaultInstall] section
use this command to reinstall it:
rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection Components 128 c:\windows\inf\sysoc.inf
best to copy the sysoc.in_ file from windows xp cd and expand it to c:\windows\inf and usin the command

[Subsider]

btw. with rightclick it wont work to install sysoc.inf cuz there is no [DefaultInstall] section
use this command to reinstall it:
rundll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection Components 128 c:\windows\inf\sysoc.inf
best to copy the sysoc.in_ file from windows xp cd and expand it to c:\windows\inf and usin the command
good info !

but the sysoc.inf file doesnt have anything to do with the add/remove software only the add/remove components
i agree , but add/remove software is still looking for that inf to no what it should/shouldnt show !

[jstanle1]

Guys --

Thanks for the great information about uninstall, and the uninstall utility. The inf file was there, and looks OK. The uninstall utility pointed me to a couple of programs that I think I should take out; I'll do that tonight, and I suspect that will take care of the problem.

I'll let you know if anything interesting happens. Thanks again.