Need Some Computer Help

[gadget]

I've been frankenstiening systems together for my in-laws for the past 4 or 5 years now. Finally got a machine for them that would handle XP. I thought everything was fine until i get the dreaded phone call, "its broke again, fix it!!!!". The stupid m'fers deleted some files. Looks like the system32 folder is empty!!! The error I get when booting

"Window could not start because of an error in the software.
Load needed DLLs for kernal."

Any way to fix this without re-installing windows?


Thanks!

[Drayu]

Can't you just do a windows repair from the xp disc?

[f1sh3r]

if the system32 directory is really empty (and not just hidden) then there is a lot missing that's probably going to require a repair or reinstall.

[wihadmin]

i get the dreaded phone call, "its broke again, fix it!!!!". The stupid m'fers deleted some files.

Completely unrelated, but this is the reason why I won't build computers for people who are computer illiterate. I tell them, go buy an eMachine at Best Buy.

[Tykwer]

i've had that error. i cant say exactly what i did to fix it though. wouldn' a chkdsk /r in the recovery console fix it? if the repair install works, it would be a much faster solution. good luck.

[f1sh3r]

Completely unrelated, but this is the reason why I won't build computers for people who are computer illiterate. I tell them, go buy an eMachine at Best Buy.

send them to dell, they have passable tech support still and good prices. i tried sending my relatives to best buy but they need more hand holding than the geek squad can provide.

[sir_digalot]

the repair is your best bet, since it almost is a reinstall anyway... do not use the recovery console let it detect the xp install then let it try to repairt it, it should work.

i have long beleived that people should have to take a computer test, if they fail they do not get a license to use a computer..

admittedly then i would be out of a job, but hey, i can always find something else to do that is probably less stressfull like shark baiting or something

[Vryllyn]

Completely unrelated, but this is the reason why I won't build computers for people who are computer illiterate. I tell them, go buy an eMachine at Best Buy.

Man, I wouldn't wish an eMachine on my worst enemy.

[gadget]

Completely unrelated, but this is the reason why I won't build computers for people who are computer illiterate. I tell them, go buy an eMachine at Best Buy.

I told my mother in-law to tell her husband to quit f*ckig with it and just play his monopoly game!!!!!! :wallbash:




Can't you just do a windows repair from the xp disc?

I've only tried using the first option windows gives to repair it. From the dos prompt. Anyways I learn a ltittle every day. I used the repair function and all seems to be working. Now I have 2 more computers to fix besides this one, lol.:wallbash:

Ok one more question. I have a freind who is still on dial-up, and has MSN for thier access. The modem seems to connect(its says connected @56kbs) to the access server but will not communicate with IE(or FireFox). When first booting up Nortons gives an error that tcp/ip is not installed. tcp/ip is installed and the remove button os greyed out so I cant uninstall to install again. Would a windows repair work on this issue too? They've spent 8hrs+ on tech support with MSN and have no clue what they're doing. They really dont. They're to afraid to install their new mouse becuase it has a driver disk, lol!!!

Thanks guys!!!!

[f1sh3r]

I told my mother in-law to tell her husband to quit f*ckig with it and just play his monopoly game!!!!!! :wallbash:





I've only tried using the first option windows gives to repair it. From the dos prompt. Anyways I learn a ltittle every day. I used the repair function and all seems to be working. Now I have 2 more computers to fix besides this one, lol.:wallbash:

Ok one more question. I have a freind who is still on dial-up, and has MSN for thier access. The modem seems to connect(its says connected @56kbs) to the access server but will not communicate with IE(or FireFox). When first booting up Nortons gives an error that tcp/ip is not installed. tcp/ip is installed and the remove button os greyed out so I cant uninstall to install again. Would a windows repair work on this issue too? They've spent 8hrs+ on tech support with MSN and have no clue what they're doing. They really dont. They're to afraid to install their new mouse becuase it has a driver disk, lol!!!

Thanks guys!!!!

what operating system? if it's xp, go into the network connections and try right clicking and doing a repair. that works sometimes depending on the problem.

[gadget]

what operating system? if it's xp, go into the network connections and try right clicking and doing a repair. that works sometimes depending on the problem.

Tried that, didnt work.

[f1sh3r]

Tried that, didnt work.

have you done full sweeps for viruses and spyware?

[sir_digalot]

there are a few things, now that windows is working you may still need to reinstall msn, i beleive msn does something to the operating system that could well affect the tcp/ip subsystem, also any previous firewalls you may have had may be working even if they are not showing 9 mcaffee was well known for that after a repair install)

thirdly open a command prompt window and type the following into it and hit enter:

netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt

it should reset the tcp/ip stack in xp, it may or may not ask for the CD again.

the best bet if you are getting a connection and an ip address from the server is to reinstall the software, it probably will clear up the issue.

[wihadmin]

it should reset the tcp/ip stack in xp, it may or may not ask for the CD again.



What is the effect of reseting the tcp/ip stack?

[sir_digalot]

it should revert the whole chinchilla back to a default state i.e. one that should work as long as there is a valid connection and ip address... sometimes the repair can bugger up things by making a hole in the stack therefore data does not make it to the application layer ( the browser)

this should sow it all back together and make it work..

the only possible downside is that if msn uses their own midifications to the stack ( which is possible) then it still will not work as you will need the modifications to be in place.

[f1sh3r]

msn shouldn't be making any changes. it used to (my wife had msn dialup before we got married) but by the last few revisions i'd used it was just making a standard dialup connection. you didn't even need the software if you knew what you were doing. it's possible they've gone back to requiring the software tho, as i haven't used it in years.

resetting the stack should do it, almost sounds like the old 95/98 days when the network stuff would get corrupted and you had to pull it all out and reinstall. fun times.

[gadget]

I already tried re-installing the MSN software but it wont connect up to the MSN server so i cant complete the setup. It still says connected to the internet but cant browse. Its possible that MSN tech support had them reset the stack, but i will try and see what happens. So if re-setting the stack and re-installing the MSN doesnt fix the issue, what are my options?

Thanks again for the help!

[sir_digalot]

double check for any firewalls, if you used one berfore the repair, and repaird re install and uninstall it ( then reinstall it again) is there not an option in msn to use an external browser.. i think there used to be. can you ping web sites at all? double check browser security as well and that they are not trying to use a differnet connection i know once i had an issue with IE and connecting when it was looking for a dialup and i was on lan ( or maybe vice versa)

[gadget]

I get to play with it today. We'll see what happens.