Hi folks, I am coming into this discussion very late, and have followed it from the start. Firstly, in helping others repair their computer configurations, we have the most difficulty with DELL. What they are trying to prove is beyond me.
Anyone using a computer should get any teachable text for DOS that they can find...and go on line and copy all the DOS commands that they can find.
Next, collect as many old DOS files that you can find by visiting DOS specific sites and downloading any you find to a folder on the c: drive. On my computer, I have c:\OLD DOS FILES. Once that is done copy the lot of them to the c:\windows\system32 folder. Now, they are accessible to the computer and will all be accessed when you reboot to the safe mode command prompt [c:\]. And from there you can then control the beast a bit more logially.
Remember, computers are as dumb as bricks and unless you have a logical mind, you will never sort anything out...and recall Forest Gump...well, stupid is as stupid does...that is how a computer works. If you put in an incorrect command, it will seem to act stupidly, or illogically.
Although the discussion started out well, it took a nose dive at the c:\windows>system32 command. I am not personally familiar with this command. If I was a computer, logically, I would respond with a large [ ? ] because I can only follow yellow brick roads...i.e. paths to the treasure! So, that being said, and I may be in error, I think we went off course at the insertion of the [ > ] The command should have been: c:\windows\system32\chkdsk
Imagine a tree with limbs on it...and one leaf out on a particular limb...and you tell a blind person to pick it...well that person needs a very specific route to follow to reach the leaf...that is what you have to do ... guide the blind computer to the leaf, in this case the chkdsk.exe file.
From the command prompt in the "safe mode" option, you may also run some of those previously inserted new "old" DOS files that I mentioned...some will work, and others, non DOS V7, files won't.
Next, when booting and you find an error message, like those you found, ie. a particular file was not found, it is because it is not there, corrupt, or the computer is "blind" to how to find it, so you have to show it.
If that is the case, and you can get to that safe mode command prompt...at the c:\ type in...
c:\dir /s [file]
What this tells the computer to do is go to the hard drive, the c:\ drive and do a search [/s] for the file that is the cause of the problem The computer will look high and low for it. If it is there, copy the path to it on a piece of paper [I always keep a note book at the ready...it becomes a how to book later] As the system32 folder is the boot system, copy the file from its found location to the system32 folder. The files can often be found in the c:\windows folder in general.
Once the file is found, and you have the path copied out, then type the following command at the prompt, if it is not already there:
c:\windows\system32 [we are going to use the copy command found there, so follow that up as follows:]
c:\windows\system32>copy c:\windows\ [here is where you found the the file as noted in the path] [leave a space the type in] c:\windows\system32
The above commands will copy the missing, now found file to the correct location for windows to "find it."
Continue the process, with the same command sequence to garner all the missing files together and shepherd them into the system32 folder.
If you were aware enough to make repeated restore points [I do one a day, just after I boot up and find that everything is working as it should] then you can do the following:
Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
This tells the computer to go to the c: drive [tree trunk], up the tree to the windows limb, then out onto the system32 limb and then out onto the restore limb...to pick the rstrui.exe leaf. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state. Look for the most recent system checkpoint created before the errors to restore from.
Now, here is a super outline I picked up on another site that we should all follow: Print it out and do it right now... it must be done at the safe mode command prompt, as windows is using the files when you are in windows and it will not allow you to disturb them...
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How to Perform A Re-Install Of XP
Part one
In part one, you start the Recovery Console, create a temporary folder, back up the existing registry files to a new location, delete the registry files at their existing location, and then copy the registry files from the repair folder to the System32\Config folder. When you have finished this procedure, a registry is created that you can use to start Windows XP. This registry was created and saved during the initial setup of Windows XP. Therefore any changes and settings that occurred after the Setup program was finished are lost.
To complete part one, follow these steps:
1. Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.
Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted to do so.
2. When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
3. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you want to access from the Recovery Console.
4. When you are prompted to do so, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
5. At the Recovery Console command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:
CODE [md => make directory "tmp" on the c: drive...leave a space between the commands on the same line ...\system c:\...]
md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak
delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default
6. Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer will restart.
Note This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriate windows_folder if it is a different location.
If you have access to another computer, to save time, you can copy the text in step two, and then create a text file called "Regcopy1.txt" (for example). To create this file, run the following command when you start in Recovery
Console:
batch regcopy1.txt
With the batch command in Recovery Console, you can process all the commands in a text file sequentially. When you use the batch command, you do not have to manually type as many commands.
Part two
To complete the procedure described in this section, you must be logged on as an administrator, or an administrative user (a user who has an account in the Administrators group). If you are using Windows XP Home Edition, you can log on as an administrative user. If you log on as an administrator, you must first start Windows XP Home Edition in Safe mode. To start the Windows XP Home Edition computer in Safe mode, follow these steps.
Note Print these instructions before you continue. You cannot view these instructions after you restart the computer in Safe Mode. If you use the NTFS file system, also print the instructions from Knowledge Base article KB309531. Step 7 contains a reference to the article.
To complete part two, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Shut Down (or click Turn Off Computer), click Restart, and then click OK (or click Restart).
2. Press the F8 key.
On a computer that is configured to start to multiple operating systems, you can press F8 when you see the Startup menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to select the appropriate Safe mode option, and then press ENTER.
4. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, use the arrow keys to select the installation that you want to access, and then press ENTER.
In part two, you copy the registry files from their backed up location by using System Restore. This folder is not available in Recovery Console and is generally not visible during typical usage. Before you start this procedure, you must change several settings to make the folder visible:
1. Start Windows Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder options.
3. Click the View tab.
4. Under Hidden files and folders, click to select Show hidden files and folders, and then click to clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box.
5. Click Yes when the dialog box that confirms that you want to display these files appears.
6. Double-click the drive where you installed Windows XP to display a list of the folders. If is important to click the correct drive.
7. Open the System Volume Information folder. This folder is unavailable and appears dimmed because it is set as a super-hidden folder.
Note This folder contains one or more _restore {GUID} folders such as "_restore{87BD3667-3246-476B-923F-F86E30B3E7F8}".
Note You may receive the following error message:
C:\System Volume Information is not accessible. Access is denied.
If you receive this message, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article to gain access to this folder and continue with the procedure:
309531 How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder
8. Open a folder that was not created at the current time. You may have to click Details on the View menu to see when these folders were created. There may be one or more folders starting with "RPx under this folder. These are restore points.
9. Open one of these folders to locate a Snapshot subfolder. The following path is an example of a folder path to the Snapshot folder:
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{D86480E3-73EF-47BC-A0EB-A81BE6EE3ED8}\RP1\Snapshot
10. From the Snapshot folder, copy the following files to the C:\Windows\Tmp folder:
CODE
_REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM
_REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM
11. Rename the files in the C:\Windows\Tmp folder as follows:
CODE
Rename _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT to DEFAULT
Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY to SECURITY
Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE to SOFTWARE
Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM to SYSTEM
Rename _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM to SAM
These files are the backed up registry files from System Restore. Because you used the registry file that the Setup program created, this registry does not know that these restore points exist and are available. A new folder is created with a new GUID under System Volume Information and a restore point is created that includes a copy of the registry files that were copied during part one. Therefore, it is important not to use the most current folder, especially if the time stamp on the folder is the same as the current time.
The current system configuration is not aware of the previous restore points. You must have a previous copy of the registry from a previous restore point to make the previous restore points available again.
The registry files that were copied to the Tmp folder in the C:\Windows folder are moved to make sure that the files are available under Recovery Console. You must use these files to replace the registry files currently in the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder. By default, Recovery Console has limited folder access and cannot copy files from the System Volume folder.
Note The procedure described in this section assumes that you are running your computer with the FAT32 file system. For more information about how to access the System Volume Information Folder with the NTFS file system, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
309531 How to gain access to the System Volume Information folder
Part Three
In part three, you delete the existing registry files, and then copy the System Restore Registry files to the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder:
To complete part three, follow these steps:
1. Start Recovery Console.
2. At the command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after you type each line:
CODE
del c:\windows\system32\config\sam
del c:\windows\system32\config\security
del c:\windows\system32\config\software
del c:\windows\system32\config\default
del c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\tmp\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\tmp\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\tmp\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\tmp\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\tmp\default c:\windows\system32\config\default
Note Some of these command lines may be wrapped for readability.
3. Type exit to quit Recovery Console. Your computer restarts.
Note This procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:\Windows to the appropriate windows_folder if it is a different location.
If you have access to another computer, to save time, you can copy the text in step two, and then create a text file called "Regcopy1.txt" (for example).
Part Four
To complete part four, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click All Programs.
2. Click Accessories, and then click System Tools.
3. Click System Restore, and then click Restore to a previous RestorePoint.
http://support.micro...kb;en-us;307545REFERENCES
For more information about using Recovery Console, go to the microsoft home page...search for and click on the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307654 How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP
216417 How to install the Windows XP Recovery Console
240831 How to copy files from Recovery Console to removable media
314058 Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console For more information about System Restore, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
306084 How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP
261716 System Restore removes files during a restore procedure
...if that seems a bit daunting you could also try...
Repair the Windows XP installation.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive is the first priority startup device.
See your computer documentation for information about how to do this.
2. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.
3. When the instruction to "Press any key to boot from CD" appears, press a key. Your computer starts from the Windows XP CD.
4. When the computer starts from the CD, the system verifies your hardware, and then prompts you to select one of the following options:
To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
5. Press ENTER.
6. Press F8 to accept the Licensing Agreement.
7. A box lists your current Windows XP installation, and then the computer prompts you to select one of the following options:
To repair the selected Windows XP installation, press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing, press ESC.
8. Press R.
You'll get to keep your existing apps & settings, but you need to re-install SP2, Windows Updates & any unsigned drivers afterwards.
NOTE: Be aware that you'll lose any protection from Blaster / Sasser type worms. Don't go online without a firewall, whether the built in Windows one or 3rd party.
-all actions will require a vallid XP cd
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