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chamcc

23 Posts

52872

December 21st, 2007 17:00

Can't collect information, cannot access the windows management instrumentation software,

I have a problem with my Windows Management Instrumentation software. When i try to check "My system Information" i get a message; Can't collect information, cannot access the windows management instrumentation software, windows management files may be moved or missing
I've checked alot of places on the web and found that this sometimes happens when you install AOL instant messenger or Firefox. I've tried all the recomended fixes and none work. Does anybody have any ideas.
Thanks for any help.

mombodog

2 Intern

 • 

12.7K Posts

December 22nd, 2007 02:00

Have you tried system restore and choose a date before the problem started?
 
Last but not least.  Back up Important Data before doing this proceedure.
 


Message Edited by mombodog on 12-21-2007 10:27 PM

chamcc

23 Posts

December 22nd, 2007 10:00

Unfortunally I did not have system restore running at the time. I didn't like the amount of disk space that it takes up. It will be running from now on.

thanks for the reply.

chamcc

23 Posts

December 22nd, 2007 11:00

Sorry i didn't see the link to John Barnett's Vista support. thanks i will try that.

chamcc

23 Posts

March 18th, 2008 23:00

After much searching i found the fix for "can't collec information. Follow the directions and you will have system info back in no time.

 

THE FIX:

You must add "SERVICE" to the administrators group. This will give permissions back to the system to access the WMI classes as well as allowing MSINFO32 to access them.

Two ways to do this:

Simple / Long way (Vista Business, Enterprise, Ultimate users only):

  1. Access the MMC (microsoft management console) by right clicking on "My Computer" and select "Manage."
  2. In the window that appears, along the left hand column, select "Local Users and Groups."
  3. The center window will now show a listing of groups and users on the computer. Click the Groups Tab to open it up.
  4. Double click Administrators to add a a user to the group.
  5. Press the "Add" button at the bottom of the new window.
  6. The window that follows allows you to add users and services to the administrator group. MAKE SURE THE BOX TITLED "From this Location" LISTS YOUR COMPUTER NAME AND not YOUR DOMAIN. If it isn't your computer name, Press the "Locations" button and select your computer. We want to add a LOCAL (ie, your computer) service to the group.
  7. In the bottom box, titled "Enter the object names to select," type SERVICE.
  8. Press the "Check Names" button and it should verify the name is correct.
  9. Press the "Ok" button on the all windows to get back to the management console.
  10. THAT'S IT! You may have to reboot to get the information in the "Show me more details" window to appear.

Technical / Quick way (All Vista users):

Unfortunately, Vista home editions do not have a management console. Thusly, we must add the group via the command prompt. This method is quicker, though more technical.

  1. Goto the start menu and LOCATE your command prompt (should be under Accessories).
  2. Right click on it and select "Run as Administrator."
  3. At the command prompt, type the following:
net localgroup "Administrators" "NT Authority\Service" /add

And press Enter.
THAT'S IT! You're done! Again, you may have to reboot.

As an aside, you may also be able use the following line:

net localgroup Administrators /add Service

They technically mean the same thing, but the first one is a little more thorough and should reduce the risk of Vista getting confused with something or another service.

Hope that helps you all! Spread the word and no more reinstalling!

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