BPSoftware.com Blog

Sunday, January 21, 2007

PPCTL.DLL is damaged and could not be repaired.

Well, it was that time again for my good old Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware software subscription to expire. Having used the same product for a while, I wanted something that had a low impact and wasn't so invasive to my system. The more and more hardware machines come with, it seems the more and more resources these Anti- programs want to take use. Having decent experience with earlier versions CA's ETrust software I decided to grab the three pack of CA Internet Security Suite. To make a long story short, I ended up having problems installing and running the Anti-Spyware piece of the Suite (a while back CA purchased PestPatrol). Only one out of the three machines I installed the software on went in without any issues. For the two that did give me some grief, fortunately it was the same problem. On these machines I received a message indicating that 'ppctl.dll is damaged and could not be repaired'. This error was displayed during installation and attempted operation of the software. I searched the 'Net' to see if I could dig anything up on this error. No such luck. I then went off on my own little investigation. By default, the ppctl.dll is installed in two locations; the C:\Program Files\CA\CA Internet Security Suite\CA Anti-Spyware and C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scanner folders. My first step was to verify the permissions that were set on these folders; to ensure that the Administrators Group and SYSTEM Account had full control over these folders. After this was verified (ie changed) I was hoping to be out of the woods-- well I wasn't. After digging a bit further I noticed there is also registry key (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\ppctl) that references the ppctl.dll. Just as I had the folders I verified the permissions on the registry key. In reviewing the permissions I noticed the Administrators Group and SYSTEM Account had Read-Only access to the key. Getting creative I decided to give both accounts Full-Control to the registry key. Once I granted full control to the Administrators Group and the SYSTEM account on the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\ppctl registry key all my headaches went away.

Labels: Information, Tech

posted by Brad Prendergast at 6:17:00 PM

Comments:

There's your problem right there. You purchased a product with "Internet Security" in the title. They're all terrible regardless of the vendor.

ETrust Antivirus on it's own is very good though, it's based on the old VET Antivirus. I use that in conjunction with the Windows Firewall, Ad-Aware SE Personal, and SpamBully. All small independent programs that don't collaborate together to bring my system to it's knees.

posted by

Lachlan Monday, January 22, 2007 9:14:00 PM

Thanks alot. I had the same problem and also went online to get some info on why the message kept popping up. Then after I saw your explanation, I went into regedit and updated the premission for the folder. Worked Great!

posted by

Vitaliy Monday, February 05, 2007 6:17:00 PM

You're a legend - I have been having this issue for 2 weeks when it FINALLY occurred to me to do a search on the error!

Yours was the only source of really helpful info!

Thanks heaps

posted by

Anonymous Friday, February 16, 2007 8:18:00 PM

How does one change the permission of a folder in the registry. I installed the CA Security Suite and it has locked my computer and I can not remove it and get the ppctl.dll is damaged error. I had the CA anti virus alone and it was great but the suite stinks! How do I get it right.

posted by

James Sunday, February 25, 2007 10:14:00 PM

How do you update the permission for the folders. I am having the same problems

posted by

Fred Thursday, May 03, 2007 2:07:00 AM

to change registry permissions click start > Run > type Regedit expand "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" tree then expand "SOFTWARE" tree then expand "CLASSES" tree locate "ppctl" folder, right click and goto permission allow full control if its not checked.

posted by

sheraz Thursday, May 17, 2007 2:16:00 PM

I try to change the Regedit but receive a message said:
ppctl cannot be opened
An error is preventing this key from being opened.
Details: Access is denied

If anyone could PLEASE help me out
Thank you

posted by

Anonymous Wednesday, May 23, 2007 11:19:00 PM

Wow!! Thank you so much, this thread was extremely helpful I was beginning to think this crummy software was going to stay on my computer forever!! Will never install that again, hated it!

posted by

Anonymous Friday, June 29, 2007 10:27:00 AM

When I type in regedit I get following message 'Windows cannot access the specfied device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access this item'. Thanks in advance for any help. Having same problem with ppctl.dll and CA.

posted by

Anonymous Thursday, August 02, 2007 5:42:00 PM

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you

posted by

Anonymous Thursday, August 23, 2007 3:05:00 PM

I tried the fix for the ppctl error message. When I got to the expand 'CLASSES" tree there was no "ppctl" folder. Now what? I need help!! Thanks - Buzzbee

posted by

buzzbeeinaz Thursday, September 20, 2007 3:23:00 PM

You may need to run psexec, to make the changes on the registry, something like psexec -s -i -d registry.exe. Try downloading psexec from a secure site.

posted by

Anonymous Tuesday, October 09, 2007 3:54:00 PM

Any ideas for a registry edit or other work-around that would disable CA Anti-Spyware's pop-up warning to users who don't have an admin account? Every time they log in they get window reminding them they do not have sufficient privileges to remove spyware (they can scan, but not remove). I hate to change all user accounts to administrators, but the window they must close each time they login is a chronic pain.

posted by

Hammerin' Saturday, November 17, 2007 12:12:00 AM

I cant find "classes" on regedit? any ideas

posted by

Anonymous Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:34:00 AM

Thank you so much to Sheraz (message from Thursday May 17, 2008) your instructions and steps to follow to allow ppctl.dll. were very helpful for me, after this my computer is running so very good now. I really appreciate this.

Ernesto.

posted by

Ernesto Saturday, June 07, 2008 11:57:00 AM

Thanks for all your information, but I ended up going to http://homeofficekb.ca.com/CIDocument.asp?SimpleUI=1&GUID=23C426312DCB45FAA6C2BF12A8B72314&ExternalCallID=0&Ver=&AddBookmark=0&KDId=3102 and re-downloading CA Anti-Spyware. Make sure you remove the old Anti-Spyware program first. Now everything is working well.

posted by

Patty Wednesday, June 18, 2008 7:48:00 PM

I got the same problem i just download the fix ppctl.dll remove the antispyware reinstall and now works fine

posted by

Anonymous Thursday, July 24, 2008 10:10:00 PM

Hi I think have same problem. I have CA suite. It tells me that ppctl.dll is damaged or other program is using it and you [although with admin privilages] do not have privilages to modify it.

I did regedit. BUT in "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/CLASSES/ppctl I have ONLY "PestPatrolRealTime" folder. It was earlier spyware. It already has "full contol" as an admin. I am also unable to 'upadte' some components of CA owing to the same problem.

Please let me know what should I do. I would really appreciate that.

posted by

Ajit Saturday, August 09, 2008 9:02:00 PM