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XP repair install weirdness
Duke 2.0
Time Trash CatRegistered User regular
Time Trash CatRegistered User regular
A week ago I tried to use Task Manager but found it disabled. Suspecting a virus I turned off the computer so I could start in safe mode and run a virus scanner. It must have corrupted some boot files because it would load forever trying to either load Safe Mode or the normal XP boot. I tried a few options before realizing that I was stuck with doing a repair installation. There was no way to back up the data so I just bit the bullet and went through with it.
When it finished and I was greeted with a barren fresh desktop I noticed that all my files and data was still there in the folders I left them in. I can still manually go down filepaths to run programs and the start menu still has most of the old programs on it. The autorun programs won't work until I open their program manually. Going to the add/remove tool shows none of these programs as being installed and various audio and video drivers seem to be non functioning. All the previous user accounts are still in the Documents and Settings directory but are not recognized as user accounts. Windows Explorer won't work and updating it from 5 to 8 also returns error messages of missing or corrupt .DLLs.
The CD repaired the instillation to a version before the service packs so getting those installed is my number one priority now. I also need to track down fixing those .DLL errors but I have the rest of the web for looking those up. After that I hope there is a way to set these folders as user accounts instead of going through the hassle of finding the programs on the registry, manually removing them and reinstalling them. Searching up this problem returns little on the subject, so here's the hope that somebody knows some wizardry.
When it finished and I was greeted with a barren fresh desktop I noticed that all my files and data was still there in the folders I left them in. I can still manually go down filepaths to run programs and the start menu still has most of the old programs on it. The autorun programs won't work until I open their program manually. Going to the add/remove tool shows none of these programs as being installed and various audio and video drivers seem to be non functioning. All the previous user accounts are still in the Documents and Settings directory but are not recognized as user accounts. Windows Explorer won't work and updating it from 5 to 8 also returns error messages of missing or corrupt .DLLs.
The CD repaired the instillation to a version before the service packs so getting those installed is my number one priority now. I also need to track down fixing those .DLL errors but I have the rest of the web for looking those up. After that I hope there is a way to set these folders as user accounts instead of going through the hassle of finding the programs on the registry, manually removing them and reinstalling them. Searching up this problem returns little on the subject, so here's the hope that somebody knows some wizardry.
Duke 2.0 on
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You're lucky as you can still access your files. Before anything else I'd try to get a hold of an extra hard drive to back up any and all files you may need. Once you move them off the primary drive, run an invasive virus/malware scan.
Then reformat and reinstall. I can't imagine trying to clean up something like that is at all worth the time, effort and forced limited ability to actually use the machine. Besides, a good wipe and reinstall can be good for a computer every once in awhile.
The general plan at this point is basically what The Crowing One said. Back up my data, which is basically just 20 gigs, and reformat everything. But now some meta-weirdness comes into play.
I can't find my original XP Professional install disk. I still have the box, product number and product key but the disk is lost somewhere in a hard case amidst several cramped crawlspaces overstuffed with other junk. Until somebody in my family stumbled across it I won't be finding it. I looked at some options but they range from paying Microsoft $50 for a replacement disk or local shops charging $150 for the process. I will have to either find a friend with an XP Professional disk or a legitimate source online. Or any other source people can suggest.
Knowing that mucking with this thing can cause my data to be lost forever I tried to install Ubuntu on a USB disk, but none of these attempts appear to install correctly on it. I'll try to find some blank disks to burn onto for any future Ubuntu or Windows attempts.
Thanks to the people who gave me a run-down on how weird and difficult the situation is.