Err Msg: An Error Has Occurred While Working with the Control Panel File...

ID: Q217752

The information in this article applies to:
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to change display properties using the Display tool in Control Panel or by right-clicking the Desktop and then clicking Properties, you may receive the following error message:

An error occurred while Windows was working with the Control Panel file C:\Windows\System\Desk.cpl.


CAUSE

This error message can occur if there is a problem with a third-party video driver or utility.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).



To resolve this error message, start your computer in Safe mode, and then follow these steps:

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


  2. Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.


  3. Click the Adapter tab, and then click Change.


  4. Click Next, click Display a list of all the drivers in a specific location, so you can select the driver you want, and then click Next.


  5. Click Show All Devices.


  6. In the Manufacturers box, click Standard Display Types.


  7. In the Models box, click Standard Display Adapter (VGA), click OK, and then click Next.


  8. Click Next, click Next, and then click Finish.


  9. Click Close, click Close again, and then click No when you are prompted to restart your computer.


  10. In Control Panel, double-click Add/remove Programs, and then remove any third-party display utilities by clicking the utility on the Install/Uninstall tab, clicking Add/Remove, and then following the instructions on your screen.


  11. Using Registry Editor, delete the display manufacturer's folder (if it exists) in the following registry key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Controls Folder\Display\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers


  12. You should also delete the following two keys after uninstalling Diamond InControl Tools:
    Hkey_local_machine/software/Diamond Multimedia

    Hkey_current_user/software/Diamond Multimedia


  13. Quit Registry Editor and restart your computer.


  14. Install the appropriate video drivers included with Windows 98 or obtain the latest drivers from the manufacturer.


Additional query words: Diamond Viper 550 Quickres powertoys Incontrol stealth monster 3d Cyrix ATI dmd3d.dll 


Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbdisplay kberrmsg win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: June 23, 1999