.net framework annoying at startup

[ImnoGuru]

Hello and thank you for having a look to see if you can help with my problem.

This little laptop has a ".net framework" box appear every time it starts up, plus a second box saying much the same thing after clicking "OK" on the first. The error screen says "sprtcmd.exe .NET Framework Initialization Error.  To run this application you must instal one of the following versions of .net framework. V4.0.30319.
Contact your application publisher for instructions about obtaining the appropriate version. "

I have tried to download the suggestions outlined here, but after having installed the correct (?) file, the start up still comes up with the ".net framework" wont work box, see administrator blab blah blah.

This computer is a Dell Inspiron , 1440 with Windows Vista Home Premium SP 1.  64 bit O/S with an Intel Core Duo (Tm) CPU.

It doesnt seem to affect anything I use this computer for, its just an annoyance that  occurs EVERY time I want to use this computer.

Can someone please let me know how I might be able to fix this error box coming up all the time.

Thank you. ImnoGuru.

[TechnoGeek]

Hello ImnoGuru,

First uninstall all versions of the .NET Framework through add/remove programs and restart the computer.

Then download these in this order:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17113 <-- .NET framework 4 Client Profile

if that doesn't work, try adding:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17851 <-- .NET framework 4 Full Version

another thing: did this always happen or was it after a certain program installation?

[ImnoGuru]

Thanks TechnoGeek for the reply.
I will have a shot at installing that after I remove the program and let you know how it turns out.

I am not actually certain, but I believe that it was after an install.

Just checked all the programs added to this computer and I was wondering if this sort of problem shows up after any particular installs that you might know of? Say for google updates or IE perhaps?

Hmm when I went to uninstall it... there are three .nets(s). The primary says it is 3.5 SP1 and not 4 as I was led to believe.

[hartbeatmr]

Good evening ImnoGuru and welcome back to CH

I have been down this road before and can be a pain 

This guy "Aaron Stebner's" makes a verification tool and he also has a removal UT as well. Both of them work really good and are very quick when you can round and round when you get a .net errors. The verification tool works all the way from 1.0 to 4.5 http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/10/13/8999004.aspx

Hope this helps, Mike

[Computer_Commando]

...First uninstall all versions of the .NET Framework through add/remove programs and restart the computer...

You still need the old versions.  Later versions do not replace the earlier ones.

[TechnoGeek]

You still need the old versions.  Later versions do not replace the earlier ones.

Some of them do. I pretty sure 3.5 included 2.0 and 3.0 when it was installed.
On windows vista/7, certain versions are included in the operating system and can't be removed through add/remove programs anyway.

[patio]

Nope...

[Salmon Trout]

In general, you should not uninstall any versions of the .NET Framework that are installed on your computer, because an application you use may depend on a specific version and may break if that version is removed. You can load multiple versions of the .NET Framework on a single computer at the same time. This means that you can install the .NET Framework without having uninstall previous versions.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/bb822049.aspx

[TechnoGeek]

Nope...

Who/what was this addressed to?

In general, you should not uninstall any versions of the .NET Framework that are installed on your computer, because an application you use may depend on a specific version and may break if that version is removed. You can load multiple versions of the .NET Framework on a single computer at the same time. This means that you can install the .NET Framework without having uninstall previous versions.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/bb822049.aspx

I agree, removing the .net framework can cause applications to no longer run. Not knowing at the time of my post what versions he had installed, I had to assume it was a broken install of version 4.0, so I suggested a reinstall of everything to try to repair it.

ImnoGuru: if you already have/had .net 3.5, you may not need to uninstall it, but just install the 4.0 from my previous links. If you already uninstalled it, you can re-install 3.5 from this link:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22
Because you have windows vista, .net 3.0 is installed already and you shouldn't have to worry about it.

[patio]

It was addressed to this ::

Some of them do. I pretty sure 3.5 included 2.0 and 3.0 when it was installed.

[BC_Programmer]

.NET 3.5 and 3.0 use the .NET 2.0 CLR and the .NET 3.5 and 3.0 Class Libraries are a superset of .NET Framework 2.0 Class Libraries. Installing .NET framework 3.5 SP1 allows you to run .NET framework 2.0 applications.

[quaxo]

Not to repeat BC, but to add to what he said, 3.5 includes everything for 3.0 and 2.0 programs to run. If you have 3.5, it's not necessary to have 3.0 or 2.0.

However, versions 1.1 and 4.0-4.5 are done differently and operate separately from 2.0-3.5.

If you install 1.1, 3.5, and 4.0 (or the newer 4.5), you technically would have everything covered. 1.1 probably isn't necessary though unless you're running an old program dependent on 1.1.

Versions and dependencies:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb822049.aspx

System requirements:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8z6watww

More info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.NET_Framework

[ImnoGuru]

My thanks to everyone that posted to my problem. I am sorry to have been so long in trying some of the fixes that were suggested. I dont get as much free time for this sort of thing right now. I am looking after a lady that has some extreme health issues.

I have read through the replies and found some conflicting with other posters.
So I had to read them through more thoroughly to know where I was going with trying to fix my laptop.

Thank you hartbeatmr for the link to Aaron Stebner's Weblog page, I downloaded and used the verification tool. I think from the logs I generated, that my version is ".Net Framework 3.5 SP1". Below is a small copy of the last few lines of the log. ( I had to run them all again today to get a copy to show you)


[10/25/12,16:28:28] Section [Registry GE - .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (Wow6432Node)] - stop parsing entries
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Section [Files - .NET Framework 3.0 SP1AndLater (Common)] - start parsing entries
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Section [Files - .NET Framework 3.0 SP1AndLater (Common)] - stop parsing entries
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Processing custom action 'Custom Action - .NET Framework 2.0 test application'
[10/25/12,16:28:28] ExecutablePath = 'Netfx20TestApplication.exe'
[10/25/12,16:28:28] FriendlyName = '.NET Framework 2.0 test application'
[10/25/12,16:28:28] TimeoutSeconds = '300'
[10/25/12,16:28:28] WaitOnExit = 'true'
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Silent = 'true'
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Launching process 'Netfx20TestApplication.exe' now
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Process successfully launched. Waiting 300 seconds for it to complete.
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Process 'Netfx20TestApplication.exe' exited with return code 0
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Not running action 'Files - .NET Framework netfxperf.dll' for product '.NET Framework 3.5 SP1' because the OS condition does not match
[10/25/12,16:28:28] Verification succeeded for product .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

I tried ".Net framwork 4 Client" and it failed producing this log:

[10/25/12,16:48:55] Section [Registry - .NET Framework 4 Client (Wow6432Node)] - stop parsing entries
[10/25/12,16:48:55] Processing custom action 'Custom Action - .NET Framework 4.0 test application'
[10/25/12,16:48:55] ExecutablePath = 'Netfx40TestApplication.exe'
[10/25/12,16:48:55] FriendlyName = '.NET Framework 4 test application'
[10/25/12,16:48:55] TimeoutSeconds = '300'
[10/25/12,16:48:55] WaitOnExit = 'true'
[10/25/12,16:48:55] Silent = 'true'
[10/25/12,16:48:55] Launching process 'Netfx40TestApplication.exe' now
[10/25/12,16:48:55] Process successfully launched. Waiting 300 seconds for it to complete.
[10/25/12,16:48:55] ****ERROR**** Process 'Netfx40TestApplication.exe' exited with return code -2146232576
[10/25/12,16:48:55] ****ERROR**** Verification failed for product .NET Framework 4 Client.

Then tried ".Net Framework Full", producing another fail with this log:

[10/25/12,16:51:10] Section [Registry - .NET Framework 4 Client (Wow6432Node)] - stop parsing entries
[10/25/12,16:51:10] Processing custom action 'Custom Action - .NET Framework 4.0 test application'
[10/25/12,16:51:10] ExecutablePath = 'Netfx40TestApplication.exe'
[10/25/12,16:51:10] FriendlyName = '.NET Framework 4 test application'
[10/25/12,16:51:10] TimeoutSeconds = '300'
[10/25/12,16:51:10] WaitOnExit = 'true'
[10/25/12,16:51:10] Silent = 'true'
[10/25/12,16:51:10] Launching process 'Netfx40TestApplication.exe' now
[10/25/12,16:51:10] Process successfully launched. Waiting 300 seconds for it to complete.
[10/25/12,16:51:10] ****ERROR**** Process 'Netfx40TestApplication.exe' exited with return code -2146232576
[10/25/12,16:51:10] ****ERROR**** Verification failed for product .NET Framework 4 Client.

Stebner's verification tool, read me file, says to look for these error explanations in the log "****ERROR****" & they are looonnng log files. He could have told us they would be at the very end & to look there. Hahahaha

Thanks also to Computer_Commando, I would not have known that newer versions would not cover the older versions as well, so I didnt remove anything with the "Add/ Remove" function. I wasnt game to remove something, then find out I actually needed it for some other program to run.
Many thanks also to Salmon Trout, TechnoGeek, patio, BC_Programmer & quaxo for your explanations, clarity and links to the requirements of my system and links that explained what goes where.

Its great to have people such as yourselves together in this forum and with the depth of your knowledge to help us mere mortals. Thank you for your dedication.

Next I tried the repair tool Salmon Trout suggested and ran that. It doesnt seem as though it repaired the problem though.
So I thought I might have done something wrong with it and downloaded it again today and ran it again. I havent tested whether it is fixed yet though because I am in here at the moment. (Lets hope it worked) I'll let you know.

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

Thanks for your help today. ImnoGuru.

[jason2074]

sprtcmd.exe

If its a startup error, unchecked or disable the start-up services named Dell Support Center. Other possible information http://www.file.net/process/sprtcmd.exe.html

[ImnoGuru]

Well that answer, as to whether it is fixed or not,.. is NO

Thanks jason2074 for your reply also. I had a look at the Dell Support Center & while trying to uncheck it, I also had a look at some of the features in there that might help me. There are repair and diagnostic features, but when run none of them found any problems.

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.

[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...

[jason2074]

Just notice this one on the new replies on post. Great to hear it worked and thanks Patio.