[mike55]

Due to a variety of problems, I cannot start up win xp. I get an error message saying that ole32.dll cannot be found, reinstaling may help. I cant log on or start in Safe Mode. I have been told on another forum that I need to do a "repair install" but can't as a) I dont have a win xp cd (I do have a correct/legit version installed as i went through windows verfication recently) and am a novice. I have files I don't want to lose and a son who needs the pc for his GCSE work! The PC is Packard Bell, operating Win XP, SP2. Thanks for any help.

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Grettings Mike...

Packard Bells were traditionally shipped with a recovery CD that allowed you to set your PC to factory settings, rather than a Windows CD

Did you have that?

Many pc makers have switched to hidden partitions, which are accessed with various key combinations, such as shift + f12...this loads a recovery program that will reinstall the OS.

More advanced onces allow you to do a recovery without harming data, others do complete recoveries which wipe out all data

Withouth knowing more about your machine, at the very least make and model, I cannot speculate on your situation

Also, you are obviously posting from a different computer...what kind?

[gerryf]

Grettings Mike...

Packard Bells were traditionally shipped with a recovery CD that allowed you to set your PC to factory settings, rather than a Windows CD

Did you have that?

Many pc makers have switched to hidden partitions, which are accessed with various key combinations, such as shift + f12...this loads a recovery program that will reinstall the OS.

More advanced onces allow you to do a recovery without harming data, others do complete recoveries which wipe out all data

Withouth knowing more about your machine, at the very least make and model, I cannot speculate on your situation

Also, you are obviously posting from a different computer...what kind?