.net framework annoying at startup

[ImnoGuru]

Downloading version 4 didnt work either.

So lets get rid of this sprtcmd thingy.

I didnt see anywhere in the Dell Support Center (DSC) that lets me exit it or close it at all.
Does that mean I should delete it?

If its a startup error, unchecked or disable the start-up services named Dell Support Center.

How might I go about doing this please jason2074, or someone else that might know is welcome to make a suggestion.
Thank you.

[BC_Programmer]

I think from the logs I generated, that my version is ".Net Framework 3.5 SP1".

Doesn't this clear up the issue? The error you original got was quite clear- it needs .NET 4. You don't have it installed.

The funny thing with this .Net error box I keep getting is, that I dont even know what program uses it or needs  it...

from what I can tell, sprtcmd.exe is a program installed by some Manufacturers and ISPs. What it does, I don't know. Is it necessary? Probably not.

You can use a tool like Autoruns or Mike Lin's Startup Control Center.

[jason2074]

You can go here also for more information along with the suggestions given on removing the startup item. I would caution however on the suggestion #5 which is the registry function for Ccleaner as you can skip this step.

[Computer_Commando]

If you go to c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework
you will see all the versions that are installed.
WinXP-Pro-SP3 has the following:
1.0.3705
1.1.4322
2.0.50727
3.0
3.5
4.0.30319

[TechnoGeek]

If you go to c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework
you will see all the versions that are installed.
WinXP-Pro-SP3 has the following:
1.0.3705
1.1.4322
2.0.50727
3.0
3.5
4.0.30319

4.0 (and i think 3.5 as well) came out AFTER SP3, so how is that possible?

According to http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/bb822049.aspx, windows xp does not come with ANY version of the .net framework. I used nLite to create a slipstreamed install iso (SP2 with SP3 added in) for my winXP virtual machine, and it did not come any version of the .net framework. They could be downloaded with windows update, however.

[Computer_Commando]

4.0 (and i think 3.5 as well) came out AFTER SP3, so how is that possible?

I'm only saying that's what's installed.  Didn't say it was part of SP3.

[TechnoGeek]

I'm only saying that's what's installed.  Didn't say it was part of SP3.

That's what's installed on your computer, but you said 'WinXP-Pro-SP3' has the following...
I just thought that might be confusing to someone wondering why they didn't have (for example) 4.0.30319, because you seemed to be implying that XP-Pro-SP3 should have it.

[Computer_Commando]

If you perform Windows or Microsoft Update, it will install .NET.

[TechnoGeek]

If you perform Windows or Microsoft Update, it will install .NET.

Yes, but only if you choose custom mode and check it. It's listed as an optional update under windows XP. I've done this about 6 times in the last year now.

[BC_Programmer]

Most of the confusion around .NET revolves around the fact that there really are two things: there is the .NET class library, and there is the run-time itself, the CLR. The CLR currently has 3 implementations, that are separate:

CLR 1.1, which is part of the .NET Framework 1.1. Programs written against CLR 1.1 require that 1.1 is installed.

CLR 2.0, which is used with .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, and 3.5. 3.0 and 3.5 are justified in their major version change because the framework class library were given huge sets of new functionality; the base virtual machine however is the same. The result is that .NET Framework 2.0 programs will run with .NET 3.0 or 3.5 installed.

CLR 4, which is used for .NET Framework 4.

Note that the CLR versions are distinct- you will need the CLR version that the program you want to run was compiled against installed in order to run the program.

To make matters worse, the .NET Framework 4.5 changes things even more- they make changes to the CLR, but they did it in such a way that it is still compatible with programs written against 4.0. Arguably this is a  good thing and if they can keep that up it might reduce the headaches people seem to get with the .NET Framework installations.

As far as versions included with Operating Systems go, XP came with no version, but with 1.1 as an installer on the disk; Vista came with .NET Framework 3.0 SP2 (Same story for Server 2008); Windows 7 comes with .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 pre-installed. Windows 8 and Server 2012 do/will have 4.5 pre-installed.

I actually made it sound even more complicated, come to think of it. In this case though we have a error that says "you need Version X of the framework to run this program" which gives us two options: Either install that version of the framework, or don't run the program. I think the latter is definitely worth consideration. Additionally, since the version in question that it needs installed is version 4.0, and since the versioning mess revolve between 2.0 and 3.5, it's sort of a moot point. I just thought I'd plop the above in here for the benefit of those Google Search wanderers.

[patio]

Best clarification of the .Net frameworks i've read...

[ImnoGuru]

Wow BC_Programmer, you have explained this more clearly than I could have ever expected. Thank you. You are truly a Mastermind.

If you perform Windows or Microsoft Update, it will install .NET.

Strange you should say that Computer_Commando, because I have just in these recent times been monitoring the update history and found a problem there as well.
I was going to start a new thread about it.
There seems to be a problem involving updates as well.

As the history shows, the updates are successful, yet the updates are continuously trying to install & show that they are successful, but are downloading on a daily basis the exact same updates?

Days and Days of 38 updates or more, successful, yet install the very same update the next day and shows successful, except for the .net update which fails.
A most curious situation I think.

Doesn't this clear up the issue? The error you original got was quite clear- it needs .NET 4. You don't have it installed.

As advised earlier I am going to try to install .Net version 4 from the links provided before I go to disabling Dell Support Center.

As you can see BC_Programmer, I did actually install Version 4 yesterday after that post. Still no joy though.

Hmmm. This might be a bonus round... I just found the original CD's that came with the laptops when I bought them. 
All still in their original UNOPENED CD sleeves. Might they be of use to resolving this issue? 

Let me just say right now, that I am quite open to formatting the drive and starting from scratch on this laptop.

Information from  this site explains exactly what I get at startup.

"If you are shown an error message every time you restart your system, it must have been added up to the startup list of the Windows configuration panel. This is what you need to do to remove sprtcmd from startup:"

"Dot net framework error for this file is generally encountered with version 4.0. If you uninstall the v4.0 framework this error will not be visible again, but this will result in non functioning of programs which require Dot net version 4.0. So you can try these steps for more accurate troubleshooting process without removing the dot net framework:"

"Open Control Panel
Go to Add or Remove Programs
Find Dell Update and select Uninstall
Now Search for Ccleaner and download it
Run Ccleaner and find the registry tab
Select Analyse registry
Now take a back up of registry before cleaning
Select Fix all Errors
Restart your Computer
Go to Dell Official website
Download Dell Support Program
And Install it again.

This should solve your problem as this has been a technical issue with the official Dell update files and dependencies. "

So it appears that this sort of thing is a most common problem.. (according to them)

Lets give that lot a fly and see where we land.

Thank you all for your continued support. ImnoGuru.

[ImnoGuru]

OH DEAR !!!!! I was cruising along surfing the net downloaded Chrome & went to bed.


TODAY, Firefox wont work & I have no restore points AT ALL! Not even for today.   

Something has gone seriously wrong.

So now I am thinking that a format of the drive is not too much to do & reload these original disks that I found. (Without the Dell Support Centre might be a good Idea.)

This little annoying problem has just gone from, "I'll fix it and learn about some stuff on the way" to  "Ahhh crap!! I've had enough".

Many thanks to one and all. I'm off to start the backup of docs and pics and so on.
ImnoGuru.

[ImnoGuru]

Unreal.!! I have tried all sorts of adding 4.0.whatever and 3. downloads and so on, and restart after removing this and that, add something else and do this and that but it all failed.
I even lost all my restore points in the process. I was so frustrated  at it all I was almost going to give up and format the drive.

But I decided to go through the suggestions slowly and thoroughly to their conclusion to find out if any of it worked.. but no joy.

Its so easy to overlook something when frustrated. (I thought)

So going through each piece of advice ... the one method that seems to have done the job was from jason2074. Thank you jason2074 for your input.

I followed the procedure to uncheck the box in your reference, restarted and surprise surprise... IT WORKED

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions ImnoGuru. 

[patio]

Congrats ! !
Good find Jason...