"Power Options" in control panel doesn't work

[ne1scott]

I am getting an exception errror relating to a powercfg.cpl problem on a WindowsXP Pro SP3 system. (Sony VAIO laptop). I can run other .cpl files but I get an error message about powercfg.cpl when I try running "power Options" in the control panel or running the .cpl file from Start|RUN. I have backed up the 3 powercfg related files in system32 and replaced them with files from my XP Pro SP3 desktop system but it still works the same.

The exact error message is <An exception occurred while trying to run "shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL "C:\WINDOWS\system32\powercfg.cpl",">

I really don't want to reload the system for this small error...but I don't just want to live with it either.

Someone please help. I am a Windows/Linux Sysadmin.

[cindybert]

I'm having this exact same problem on a Thinkpad T61P with Windows XP Pro SP2. Help would definitely be appreciated!

[ne1scott]

I have seen the same problem reported on other forums but nobody seems to know how to fix it beyond reinstalling the OS. I think it may happen when laptop manufacturer power control software is already installed and then removed by the user. I think it is leaving the "Power Options" icon pointed to something that has now been uninstalled. I used CCleaner to scan the registry and fix any problems but that didn't fix this error. SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER THIS !!

[spookshow]

The issue seems to be caused by Ccleaner I think.

[ne1scott]

Microsoft Tech Team suggested to try
Go to start => run and type 'powercfg /RestoreDefaultPolicies' . I haven't tried it yet.

[Joshua]

Have you tried uninstalling CCleaner? Just try to do it and then see if it works or not.

[ne1scott]

CCleaner was only installed and ran in an attempt to fix any registry errors that might have been interfering with the "Power Options" button. I have seen other people in other forums withe the same error. The Microsoft Tech team told me to run the command posted above. I have not heard back from my user as to whether this fixed the problem or not. I will keep you posted.

BTW: I have installed and ran CCleaner on many systems and haven't ever had a problem except with one user claiming "multiview 2000" didn't work right after running ccleaner. I did alot of other cleanup work he did not mention or know about but since ccleaner was new he just blamed it. I haven't heard back from him again so I assume he found the actual problem and fixed it.

[ne1scott]

I just heard back from my vaio user. The command brought up a 3 part menu. She tried option 1 and then rebooted the system. It DID NOT fix the problem. Option 2 would require exporting settings from another computer and importing them to hers....this was not possible since it was not here at the office when she tried it. Option 3 says something about "Reload in place" and so it wasn't ran since she didn't know what it was. I will post this info to the other forum where the original help came from and see what they say.

[ne1scott]

Tried option2 and it didn't work either since it was just an import/export of a power profile. We are now trying the suggested "sfc /scannow" command to verify the dllcache files and replace the corrupted ones.

[.:MUNDITO:.]

To resolve this issue, restore the registry entries that are related to the power scheme options. To do this, use one of the following methods given in the link:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/913622