Windows XP SP2  

msinfo32 gives "Can't Collect Information - Cannot access the Windows MANAGEMENT Instrumentation Software. Windows Management files may be moved or missing."

Tried lots of things:

Ensured all related/ appropriate services are set to automatic and enabled (i.e. Event Log, WMI Service, RPC)
Run the System File Checker, i.e. sfc /scannow
Running Bitdefender & Spybot
Have used Xsoftspy, Ewido, NoAdware, Spyferret, CWShredder and Stinger - the machine is clean !
Checked a multitude of forums and related problems/ fixes (including all the good stuff provided by Kelly and Ivan Brugiolo.)

The system event log provides an entry each time I run msinfo32 - Source: DCOM, CATEGORY: None, Event 10016, User - NETWORK SERVICES

Properties provides a description and a Microsoft link: "The machine-default permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{73E709EA-5D93-4B2E-BBB0-99B7938DA9E4}
to the user NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE SID (S-1-5-20).  This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp."

I WENT to the microsoft link and followed the instructions to add the permission for NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE to the WMI. i.e. Start/ Control Panel/ Administrative Tools/ Component Services/ Computers/ My Computer/ DCOM Config/  Windows Management and Instrumentation/ Properties/ Security tab/ Customize/ Add/ Advanced/
Find Now and the NT AUTHORITY/ NETWORK SERVICES user was not on the list.

Tried adding permissions for NETWORK, SERVICES, SYSTEM and AUTONOMOUS LOGON (since I understand that is what NT AUTHORITY is classified as) all to no avail.

Plus and possibly unrelated My Documents will no longer open without the torch appearing.

Any help would be most appreciated.  
 

Have you tried to roll back to a previous restore point?Thank you for your prompt response - alas the restore point has long gone - I have had this problem for about three months. Originally after my upgrade from 98 to XP Pro it worked fine - then something happened - or most probably I did something - bad !

At FIRST I focused on restoring my OE email, fixing a Office fault which made Word crash on starting, I recently fixed a problem of having a blank Network Connections. In doing so I learned something of XP.

If there is no way of repairing Windows - which I am still hoping there is, I will have to contemplate doing something from scratch. I don't know if one can reload/ upgrade XP over an existing already upgraded system.

You can try the following:

1. Before Windows XP loads, press F8
2. Select last known good configuration and press Enter.

Here are a few interesting articles:

Perform a Repair Installation
how to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XPhttp://www.ozzu.com/ftopic1337.htmlJetty:

Last Known Good Configuration will restore the registry to the last time Windows successfully started (which sometimes works when you are having trouble starting Windows).

Raptor's suggestion to do a repair installation is your best bet.  A few words of caution:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=312368

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312369/

Hope it works out for 'ya!

DocMany thanks for your advice - will have a go and LET you know.

JettyRat  : Performed an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP (Using Article ID: 315342, Method  1: Reinstall Windows XP  by using Windows XP)

This has cleared up all existing problems - msinfo32 now works, MY Computer appears quickly without the torch and the shut down speed has returned to normal.

Many thanks to all at Computer.Hape.com especially Raptor et al.

When returning to Windows noticed new small issue, in that the pictures for the user accounts were all changed to a chess board and the old set of pictures is no longer available in Control Panel/ User Accounts/ Change my picture.

Regardless many thanks again !

JettyRatYou are welcome. Glad you have got your issue resolved.

As for the user account pictures, can you not redownload these? I would have no idea where they are stored..