In a previous journal, you mentioned that some main Windows system files were having a problem (hence, the control panel won't open). Here's a few things you can try. I'll assume you're running something older than Windows8, possibly WindowsXP.

Also, when you say you can't go into your tablet's control settings/panel, is that because your Windows control panel is broken, or the tablet control panel is? There might be a way to work around stuff via the command prompt. For one thing, control panels may be run directly through the command prompt if you can't get the Windows control panel to cooperate.

CHKDSK:

It goes without saying that the first thing to do on any broken PC is run a disk check. The command-line version is the only one that actually works, so get to a command prompt.

Go to the start menu and click "Run". Type "cmd" and then enter. At the prompt, type "chkdsk c: /f". Say "y" for yes if it says you have to reboot to lock/unmount the device. Then reboot.

SFC:

Now let's try to fix stuff.

If this is a "store-bought" computer, you should be able to do a system file check without needing an original Windows CD-ROM. This will attempt to detect and replace missing system files. If it doesn't work, or you need the CD-ROM and don't have it, you can simply abort the check, so it shouldn't make your computer any worse. SFC does wonders in most cases, even though most geeks don't seem to know that it exists.

Go to the start menu and click "Run". Type in "cmd", and then hit the three keys Ctrl, Shift, and Enter at the same time to get elevated privileges (required for Windows Vista/7).

Once in an elevated command prompt, type "sfc /scannow" and wait for it to finish before you close the prompt. Make sure there's no space between the slash and "scannow". If it returns an error, tell me what it says. If an error occurs or it asks for the Windows CD-ROM, just cancel it.

If you're really nervous about doing this, you can also type "sfc /verifyonly" to do a check first without actually trying to fix anything. This should also at least tell you if something is broken, even if you don't have the CD-ROM to fix it. Maybe we can find a workaround (by ripping files from a service pack or something like that).

Thank you very much!

Some informations:

• I got Windows 7 (Enterprise)
• The problem definitely is because of my computer or Windows, since both of the tablets I have got the exact same problem
• Both tablets are Bamboo's of the older type (Pen & Touch; v5.2.1, from about 2009). They always worked perfectly fine.
• When trying to open my tablet's control program, at first it would say "The General Windows-Shell-DLL doesn't work anymore" or something like that. When trying to open it now, it simply doesn't open, without any notification.
• Tried to delete all files from the tablet software which had the word "Touch" in it, though the touch (and pen) still work both. Also, without the tablet even being installed, the touch works. Pretty sure it shouldn't work until it has been installed.

After/While running a check on cmd:
• It reports an integrity-violation and tells me I can look up details on cbs.log. Now I've reached a point on which I don't really know how to continue, so I'm just going with the "scannow" variant now and look if it helps.

I've had nothing but problems with newer Wacom drivers, and I'm still using a driver from 2006 with my original Intuos 1 tablet (on my XP workstation). It wouldn't surprise me at all that two different tablets had the same problem. Wacom's drivers are awful.

After some research, it appears that Wacom is using a "special" control panel that isn't actually located in the system folder. Instead, it adds a special link to the system shell (the DLL file) which links to the actual program. I downloaded the driver to my XP system to check it out, and have done some snooping. I believe the Wacom driver is 64-bit, so the files should be located here: C:\Program Files\tablet\pen\

1) The Control panel in that folder is "Consumer_CPL.exe". Try running it directly.

2) I believe the the touch controller is "Pen_TouchUser.exe" but I can't run it since I don't have a Bamboo.

3) In the "32" folder (or "64" folder) there is a utility called "PrefUtil.exe" which allows you to completely delete your preferences. If your prefs are corrupted, it's possible the control panel won't start correctly. Try removing them so they can be rebuilt.

The key to getting this to work correctly is to get into the control panel. Once you can do that, you should be able to easily disable touch support.

I heard that the Wacom preferences are stored in a standard XML file. If you can't get the control panel to work, it might be possible to find that config file and edit it manually to disable touch. I may be able to Google some details later. I don't seem to have that config file on my machine since my tablet is the wrong model.

Also, when I upgraded my laptop to Windows7 I noticed right away that my Intuos wouldn't work properly, mostly because it was unacceptably sluggish. I found out that the Windows TabletPC Input Service conflicts with some Wacom tablets and needs to be disabled. Try turning it off and see if that helps. Directions to do that are here: (Link)

If there is indeed a problem with the Shell DLL, that SFC command really should have fixed it. That DLL is an important core file. Also, you don't need a CD to reinstall Windows as a backup copy is already on the hard drive in a hidden partition. You should be able to use that to do a factory reinstall of Windows, but if you do, it will completely wipe the system and you will lose all your files, art, and installed programs. You'd need to make a full backup first before you do a factory reset, so I'd recommend getting help with that. Frankly, though, I'd be more apt to blame the Wacom driver rather than Windows. *LOTS* of people have problems with their Wacom tablets, especially the Bamboo series.

I'm not sure what other help I can offer, but there has to be a way to fix this with some config file hack or a registry setting. Getting a new PC or rebuilding your existing one should only be a drastic, last resort. Assuming malware isn't to blame, most Windows problems really can be fixed by messing around a bit.

• Unfortunately, I don't have a "Consumer_CPL.exe"
• In case it's not the right one, there's a "Pen_TabletUser.exe", but not a "Pen_TouchUser.exe"

So sadly, I can't really follow this time. Tried searching anywhere for these files.

Yikes.

While investigating this stuff, I downloaded the 32-bit driver for the "Bamboo Touch" as it seemed to be the most logical match to what tablet you described in your journal. That may or may not be the tablet or driver you have. After installing the driver fresh, all of those executable files are what I found installed.

If you say your tablet has touch capabilities you can't turn off, it's a Bamboo model, and you don't have those executable files, there's a chance either the driver isn't installing right, or you possibly have the wrong driver (a driver that's designed for a non-touch tablet).

I don't have much to go on at this point, but could you look on the bottom of the tablet and tell me what the model number is? At this point, I have a feeling it's not Windows, but the tablet driver that's the issue. Wacom has quite a few different and specialized drivers these days, and it's possible you have the wrong one. With the model number (not the tablet name) I can verify the correct driver for you.

It's a CTH-460 (an A5 sized tablet)
I already downloaded a driver for it once and it didn't help at all though...

Yup, that's the Bamboo Pen and Touch, all right. The driver I downloaded was PenTablet 5.3.5-3, which can be found on this page under "Latest Drivers for Bamboo Tablets".

First, make sure that's the driver you've already installed. Wacom has different drivers for the Intuos, Cintiq, Bamboo Pad, and Bamboo Pen and Touch. Also note that the new "Bamboo" tablets have been renamed to the Intuos, but you need the specific Bamboo driver for your tablet, as the Intuos driver will not work.

I installed the driver on to my 64-bit Win7 laptop and made a mirror for you to download. The "Tablet" folder should be a copy of what's in your "C:\Program Files\Tablet\" folder. Try copying over the "Consumer_CPL.exe" file and then run it to see if it works. If not, copy over the entire ZIP file to your Program Files folder and then try again.

Failing that, I'm not sure what to do without any hands-on experience. Sometimes you just gotta mess with things until they work. :(

I am very thankful for all of your help!
I guess it could work that way. The only problem right now would be that I still can't open these files or change anything else about my tablet's settings because I got a 32-bit system. Sorry if I forgot to tell you first.

Huh... well, I've made a new ZIP archive with the files I have on my 32-bit XP system. I've verified that they are indeed different than the 64-bit files I sent you yesterday, but it'll be interesting to see if they are Windows7 binary compatible (they should be).

Try the new ZIP file, which I've named Tablet32.

I really should update my ancient Intuos driver (from 2006) and see if the new driver creates the new config files. If I can track down what config setting controls the "touch" setting, it may be possible to edit it manually. Failing that, I think we may be out of options.

HA!
Still can't open these files, but the touch is no more and the pen works perfectly fine.
Thank you so much! ;u;

Oh yeah, I'm insanely busy on weekdays, so don't be surprised if further replies take a day or two. Sundays are my only days to do geeky stuff. :)

Afterwards (also after reinstalling the tablet software), unfortunately nothing changed. There are no more integrity-violations, but I still can't open the tablet control program, such as I still can't deactivate the touch. By the way, I wasn't asked to put in a CD.