stmgr has caused an error in SMGR.DLL

[Brent]

I decided to download all the updates from microsoft,
probably for the first time in 2 years. After installing
everything on final restart of my computer it does boot
completly, it just hangs for ages, and then eventually I
get a different error message saying that "stmgr has
caused an error in SMGR.DLL" and that is the end of that.
I can do a ctrl/alt/delete and nothing is shown as
running and I can restart by doing the same again but I
just go around in circles.

Can anybody help please?

[Mike M]

Try resetting system restore which should rebuild the state manager control
files:
System | Performance | File System | Troubleshooting and check "Disable
System Restore", Apply and IMMEDIATELY reboot. This will flush you restore
folder and erase all checkpoints, then,
System | Performance | File System | Troubleshooting and uncheck "Disable
System Restore", Apply and again IMMEDIATELY reboot. This should now
automatically create a new checkpoint immediately following the restart.
Finally adjust the space allocated to the restore folder,
System | Performance | File System | Hard Disk and adjust the restore slider
to your preferred setting. A figure of 200MB is normally more than adequate
for day to day use allowing perhaps a week of checkpoints to be available
although increasing this to perhaps 400-500MB for a few days during periods of
large installs such Microsoft Office is advisable.

If that doesn't help then try the following:
a) Boot to DOS using a floppy. Do NOT choose "Minimal Boot" from the menu
when booting from a floppy but rather choose "Start computer with (or without)
CD-ROM support" otherwise the ATTRIB command will not be available.
b) At the DOS A:\> prompt, type:

ATTRIB -H -S -R C:\_RESTORE
and then
REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST

c) Remove the floppy
d) Reboot your PC
e) Delete the folder C:\OLDREST
f) Check that an automatic system restore checkpoint was created.
g) Finally adjust the space allocated to the restore folder:

Did either of the above help fix the problem? If not then try reinstalling
the 290700 patch which will replace smgr.dll with a new copy. You can
download the patch using the link in the associated Knowledge Base article
KB290700 - "Checkpoints That You Create After September 8, 2001 Do Not Restore
Your Computer" (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290700)
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



Brent > wrote:

> I decided to download all the updates from microsoft,
> probably for the first time in 2 years. After installing
> everything on final restart of my computer it does boot
> completly, it just hangs for ages, and then eventually I
> get a different error message saying that "stmgr has
> caused an error in SMGR.DLL" and that is the end of that.
> I can do a ctrl/alt/delete and nothing is shown as
> running and I can restart by doing the same again but I
> just go around in circles.
>
> Can anybody help please?

Mike
Thnaks for that I will try it later on when I am next the
computer. Not sure if I can reset system restore because
I can not access anything at this stage.
I will keep you posted.
Regards
Brent
>-----Original Message-----
>Try resetting system restore which should rebuild the
state manager control
>files:
>System | Performance | File System | Troubleshooting and
check "Disable
>System Restore", Apply and IMMEDIATELY reboot. This
will flush you restore
>folder and erase all checkpoints, then,
>System | Performance | File System | Troubleshooting and
uncheck "Disable
>System Restore", Apply and again IMMEDIATELY reboot.
This should now
>automatically create a new checkpoint immediately
following the restart.
>Finally adjust the space allocated to the restore folder,
>System | Performance | File System | Hard Disk and
adjust the restore slider
>to your preferred setting. A figure of 200MB is
normally more than adequate
>for day to day use allowing perhaps a week of
checkpoints to be available
>although increasing this to perhaps 400-500MB for a few
days during periods of
>large installs such Microsoft Office is advisable.
>
>If that doesn't help then try the following:
>a) Boot to DOS using a floppy. Do NOT choose "Minimal
Boot" from the menu
>when booting from a floppy but rather choose "Start
computer with (or without)
>CD-ROM support" otherwise the ATTRIB command will not be
available.
>b) At the DOS A:\> prompt, type:
>
>ATTRIB -H -S -R C:\_RESTORE
>and then
>REN C:\_RESTORE OLDREST
>
>c) Remove the floppy
>d) Reboot your PC
>e) Delete the folder C:\OLDREST
>f) Check that an automatic system restore checkpoint was
created.
>g) Finally adjust the space allocated to the restore
folder:
>
>Did either of the above help fix the problem? If not
then try reinstalling
>the 290700 patch which will replace smgr.dll with a new
copy. You can
>download the patch using the link in the associated
Knowledge Base article
>KB290700 - "Checkpoints That You Create After September
8, 2001 Do Not Restore
>Your Computer" (http://support.microsoft.com/?
kbid=290700)
>--
>Mike Maltby MS-MVP

>
>
>Brent > wrote:
>
>> I decided to download all the updates from microsoft,
>> probably for the first time in 2 years. After
installing
>> everything on final restart of my computer it does boot
>> completly, it just hangs for ages, and then eventually
I
>> get a different error message saying that "stmgr has
>> caused an error in SMGR.DLL" and that is the end of
that.
>> I can do a ctrl/alt/delete and nothing is shown as
>> running and I can restart by doing the same again but I
>> just go around in circles.
>>
>> Can anybody help please?
>
>
>.
>

[Mike M]

Brent,

What changes did you make to your system immediately prior to this problem
starting? Something must have changed or something happened. Can you
remember what that might have been?
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



>
wrote:

> Mike
> Thnaks for that I will try it later on when I am next the
> computer. Not sure if I can reset system restore because
> I can not access anything at this stage.
> I will keep you posted.

I went to the microsoft website and had them scan my
system. I was then informed of all the updates etc that I
needed to download. I decided to download and install
them all. End of story, end of working computer!
>-----Original Message-----
>Brent,
>
>What changes did you make to your system immediately
prior to this problem
>starting? Something must have changed or something
happened. Can you
>remember what that might have been?
>--
>Mike Maltby MS-MVP

>
>

>
>wrote:
>
>> Mike
>> Thnaks for that I will try it later on when I am next
the
>> computer. Not sure if I can reset system restore
because
>> I can not access anything at this stage.
>> I will keep you posted.
>
>
>.
>

[Mike M]

I've suggested what you could do in my previous post which is boot to DOS and
rename the C:\_RESTORE folder. My next suggestion is never to try and install
all of the updates at once and never with any product from Symantec running
but instead gradually as they are released and never more than two at a time.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



>
wrote:

> I went to the microsoft website and had them scan my
> system. I was then informed of all the updates etc that I
> needed to download. I decided to download and install
> them all. End of story, end of working computer!

I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as my
antivirus software.

>-----Original Message-----
>I've suggested what you could do in my previous post
which is boot to DOS and
>rename the C:\_RESTORE folder. My next suggestion is
never to try and install
>all of the updates at once and never with any product
from Symantec running
>but instead gradually as they are released and never
more than two at a time.
>--
>Mike Maltby MS-MVP

>
>

>
>wrote:
>
>> I went to the microsoft website and had them scan my
>> system. I was then informed of all the updates etc
that I
>> needed to download. I decided to download and install
>> them all. End of story, end of working computer!
>
>
>.
>

[Mike M]

And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the _RESTORE folder was?

Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still sensible to disable any AV
scanner when installing from the Windows Update site (or actually any install)
until you know that it won't cause you problems (not that I am aware that
Panda causes any). However I would still suggest that in future you don't
attempt to download and install more than a couple of updates at a time.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



>
wrote:

> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as my
> antivirus software.

Renaming the restore folder did not help. I have managed
to boot up off of my cdrom with a ME install disk and
reinstalled ME over top. This has me up and running as of
now. I still need to get my microsoft applications up and
running again but the problem I am now having is with the
modem. It says it is working fine but it will not find a
dial tone. Need to spend more time on that.
Brent
>-----Original Message-----
>And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the
_RESTORE folder was?
>
>Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still
sensible to disable any AV
>scanner when installing from the Windows Update site (or
actually any install)
>until you know that it won't cause you problems (not
that I am aware that
>Panda causes any). However I would still suggest that
in future you don't
>attempt to download and install more than a couple of
updates at a time.
>--
>Mike Maltby MS-MVP

>
>

>
>wrote:
>
>> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as my
>> antivirus software.
>
>
>.
>

[Brent]

All going again. The problem with the modem was that it
did not have the original installed so I had to reload
the new driver etc.
Thanks for your help.
Brent

>-----Original Message-----
>Renaming the restore folder did not help. I have managed
>to boot up off of my cdrom with a ME install disk and
>reinstalled ME over top. This has me up and running as
of
>now. I still need to get my microsoft applications up
and
>running again but the problem I am now having is with
the
>modem. It says it is working fine but it will not find a
>dial tone. Need to spend more time on that.
>Brent
>>-----Original Message-----
>>And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the
>_RESTORE folder was?
>>
>>Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still
>sensible to disable any AV
>>scanner when installing from the Windows Update site
(or
>actually any install)
>>until you know that it won't cause you problems (not
>that I am aware that
>>Panda causes any). However I would still suggest that
>in future you don't
>>attempt to download and install more than a couple of
>updates at a time.
>>--
>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP

>>
>>

>
>>wrote:
>>
>>> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as my
>>> antivirus software.
>>
>>
>>.
>>
>.
>

[SMGR.DLL ERROR - ANGRY]

I have a user who is experiencing EXACTLY this same problem
("stmgr has caused an error in smgr.dll").
System boots as far as the background to the desktop, and
goes no further.
-No Menus
-No response to 'Windows' key, not ALT-TAB
-Safe mode only boots to the same point, even when
bypassing all registry, driver, and other options.
-Immediately prior to the failure, it appears (from logs)
that a Windows update occurred, and it appears that Media
Player was updated.
-This was only discovered by booting w/an available '95
DOS boot disk.
-Attempted renaming _RESTORE - No good
-Cannot install System Restore patch, as we cannot get the
system booted to a point where we even can access a
command prompt.
- We do not have the installation media on-site

Any additional thoughts would be helpful.



>-----Original Message-----
>All going again. The problem with the modem was that it
>did not have the original installed so I had to reload
>the new driver etc.
>Thanks for your help.
>Brent
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>Renaming the restore folder did not help. I have managed
>>to boot up off of my cdrom with a ME install disk and
>>reinstalled ME over top. This has me up and running as
>of
>>now. I still need to get my microsoft applications up
>and
>>running again but the problem I am now having is with
>the
>>modem. It says it is working fine but it will not find a
>>dial tone. Need to spend more time on that.
>>Brent
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the
>>_RESTORE folder was?
>>>
>>>Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still
>>sensible to disable any AV
>>>scanner when installing from the Windows Update site
>(or
>>actually any install)
>>>until you know that it won't cause you problems (not
>>that I am aware that
>>>Panda causes any). However I would still suggest that
>>in future you don't
>>>attempt to download and install more than a couple of
>>updates at a time.
>>>--
>>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP

>>>
>>>

>
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as my
>>>> antivirus software.
>>>
>>>
>>>.
>>>
>>.
>>
>.
>

[Noel Paton]

You can still reinstall ME over-the-top using the files on the HD - look
here

http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/reinME.htm

Note - if you have IE6 installed on the system, you'll need (probably) to
follow that with the advice here

http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/ReInIE.htm

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
or
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar27pmvp.asp
"SMGR.DLL ERROR - ANGRY" > wrote in
message ...
> I have a user who is experiencing EXACTLY this same problem
> ("stmgr has caused an error in smgr.dll").
> System boots as far as the background to the desktop, and
> goes no further.
> -No Menus
> -No response to 'Windows' key, not ALT-TAB
> -Safe mode only boots to the same point, even when
> bypassing all registry, driver, and other options.
> -Immediately prior to the failure, it appears (from logs)
> that a Windows update occurred, and it appears that Media
> Player was updated.
> -This was only discovered by booting w/an available '95
> DOS boot disk.
> -Attempted renaming _RESTORE - No good
> -Cannot install System Restore patch, as we cannot get the
> system booted to a point where we even can access a
> command prompt.
> - We do not have the installation media on-site
>
> Any additional thoughts would be helpful.
>
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >All going again. The problem with the modem was that it
> >did not have the original installed so I had to reload
> >the new driver etc.
> >Thanks for your help.
> >Brent
> >
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>Renaming the restore folder did not help. I have managed
> >>to boot up off of my cdrom with a ME install disk and
> >>reinstalled ME over top. This has me up and running as
> >of
> >>now. I still need to get my microsoft applications up
> >and
> >>running again but the problem I am now having is with
> >the
> >>modem. It says it is working fine but it will not find a
> >>dial tone. Need to spend more time on that.
> >>Brent
> >>>-----Original Message-----
> >>>And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the
> >>_RESTORE folder was?
> >>>
> >>>Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still
> >>sensible to disable any AV
> >>>scanner when installing from the Windows Update site
> >(or
> >>actually any install)
> >>>until you know that it won't cause you problems (not
> >>that I am aware that
> >>>Panda causes any). However I would still suggest that
> >>in future you don't
> >>>attempt to download and install more than a couple of
> >>updates at a time.
> >>>--
> >>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
>
> >>>
> >>>
>
> >
> >>>wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as my
> >>>> antivirus software.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>.
> >>>
> >>.
> >>
> >.
> >

Thank you, Noel.

Unfortunately, without the original media or a proper
startup disk, we won't get very far.
I've recommended to the user that he purchase the XP-Home
upgrade, as ME will not be supported for much longer, and
XP is considerably more stable, with better general
accessory support.

Thanks again, and Have a nice weekend!


>-----Original Message-----
>You can still reinstall ME over-the-top using the files
on the HD - look
>here
>
>http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/reinME.htm
>
>Note - if you have IE6 installed on the system, you'll
need (probably) to
>follow that with the advice here
>
>http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/ReInIE.htm
>
>--
>Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)
>
>Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
>http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
>
>Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
messages to NG's
>or
>http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar
27pmvp.asp
>"SMGR.DLL ERROR - ANGRY"
> wrote in
>message ...
>> I have a user who is experiencing EXACTLY this same
problem
>> ("stmgr has caused an error in smgr.dll").
>> System boots as far as the background to the desktop,
and
>> goes no further.
>> -No Menus
>> -No response to 'Windows' key, not ALT-TAB
>> -Safe mode only boots to the same point, even when
>> bypassing all registry, driver, and other options.
>> -Immediately prior to the failure, it appears (from
logs)
>> that a Windows update occurred, and it appears that
Media
>> Player was updated.
>> -This was only discovered by booting w/an available '95
>> DOS boot disk.
>> -Attempted renaming _RESTORE - No good
>> -Cannot install System Restore patch, as we cannot get
the
>> system booted to a point where we even can access a
>> command prompt.
>> - We do not have the installation media on-site
>>
>> Any additional thoughts would be helpful.
>>
>>
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >All going again. The problem with the modem was that it
>> >did not have the original installed so I had to reload
>> >the new driver etc.
>> >Thanks for your help.
>> >Brent
>> >
>> >>-----Original Message-----
>> >>Renaming the restore folder did not help. I have
managed
>> >>to boot up off of my cdrom with a ME install disk and
>> >>reinstalled ME over top. This has me up and running as
>> >of
>> >>now. I still need to get my microsoft applications up
>> >and
>> >>running again but the problem I am now having is with
>> >the
>> >>modem. It says it is working fine but it will not
find a
>> >>dial tone. Need to spend more time on that.
>> >>Brent
>> >>>-----Original Message-----
>> >>>And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the
>> >>_RESTORE folder was?
>> >>>
>> >>>Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still
>> >>sensible to disable any AV
>> >>>scanner when installing from the Windows Update site
>> >(or
>> >>actually any install)
>> >>>until you know that it won't cause you problems (not
>> >>that I am aware that
>> >>>Panda causes any). However I would still suggest
that
>> >>in future you don't
>> >>>attempt to download and install more than a couple of
>> >>updates at a time.
>> >>>--
>> >>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>>
>> >
>> >>>wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as
my
>> >>>> antivirus software.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>.
>> >>>
>> >>.
>> >>
>> >.
>> >
>
>
>.
>

[Noel Paton]

Try reading the site

1) you don't need the CD - you can reinstall striaght off the HD
2) you can download an ME bootdisk-maker from www.bootdisk.com


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
or
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar27pmvp.asp
> wrote in message
...
> Thank you, Noel.
>
> Unfortunately, without the original media or a proper
> startup disk, we won't get very far.
> I've recommended to the user that he purchase the XP-Home
> upgrade, as ME will not be supported for much longer, and
> XP is considerably more stable, with better general
> accessory support.
>
> Thanks again, and Have a nice weekend!
>
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >You can still reinstall ME over-the-top using the files
> on the HD - look
> >here
> >
> >http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/reinME.htm
> >
> >Note - if you have IE6 installed on the system, you'll
> need (probably) to
> >follow that with the advice here
> >
> >http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/ReInIE.htm
> >
> >--
> >Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2004, Win9x)
> >
> >Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
> >http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
> >
> >Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post
> messages to NG's
> >or
> >http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2001/Mar01/Mar
> 27pmvp.asp
> >"SMGR.DLL ERROR - ANGRY"
> > wrote in
> >message ...
> >> I have a user who is experiencing EXACTLY this same
> problem
> >> ("stmgr has caused an error in smgr.dll").
> >> System boots as far as the background to the desktop,
> and
> >> goes no further.
> >> -No Menus
> >> -No response to 'Windows' key, not ALT-TAB
> >> -Safe mode only boots to the same point, even when
> >> bypassing all registry, driver, and other options.
> >> -Immediately prior to the failure, it appears (from
> logs)
> >> that a Windows update occurred, and it appears that
> Media
> >> Player was updated.
> >> -This was only discovered by booting w/an available '95
> >> DOS boot disk.
> >> -Attempted renaming _RESTORE - No good
> >> -Cannot install System Restore patch, as we cannot get
> the
> >> system booted to a point where we even can access a
> >> command prompt.
> >> - We do not have the installation media on-site
> >>
> >> Any additional thoughts would be helpful.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> >-----Original Message-----
> >> >All going again. The problem with the modem was that it
> >> >did not have the original installed so I had to reload
> >> >the new driver etc.
> >> >Thanks for your help.
> >> >Brent
> >> >
> >> >>-----Original Message-----
> >> >>Renaming the restore folder did not help. I have
> managed
> >> >>to boot up off of my cdrom with a ME install disk and
> >> >>reinstalled ME over top. This has me up and running as
> >> >of
> >> >>now. I still need to get my microsoft applications up
> >> >and
> >> >>running again but the problem I am now having is with
> >> >the
> >> >>modem. It says it is working fine but it will not
> find a
> >> >>dial tone. Need to spend more time on that.
> >> >>Brent
> >> >>>-----Original Message-----
> >> >>>And the result of booting to DOS and renaming the
> >> >>_RESTORE folder was?
> >> >>>
> >> >>>Panda, Symantec, McAfee, or whatever, it is still
> >> >>sensible to disable any AV
> >> >>>scanner when installing from the Windows Update site
> >> >(or
> >> >>actually any install)
> >> >>>until you know that it won't cause you problems (not
> >> >>that I am aware that
> >> >>>Panda causes any). However I would still suggest
> that
> >> >>in future you don't
> >> >>>attempt to download and install more than a couple of
> >> >>updates at a time.
> >> >>>--
> >> >>>Mike Maltby MS-MVP
> >>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >>
> >> >
> >> >>>wrote:
> >> >>>
> >> >>>> I do not use any Symantec products,I use Panda as
> my
> >> >>>> antivirus software.
> >> >>>
> >> >>>
> >> >>>.
> >> >>>
> >> >>.
> >> >>
> >> >.
> >> >
> >
> >
> >.
> >