[Canary]

Thanks for this.

I've run that process. It took about an hour and a half, but at the end there was no joy. The problem remains.

[Advertisements]

OK lets check the system files.

Go Start and then to Run ("Start Search" in Vista),
Type in: sfc /scannow
Click OK (Enter in Vista).
Have Windows CD/DVD handy.
If System File Checker (sfc) finds any errors, it may ask you for the CD/DVD.
If sfc does not find any errors in Windows XP, it will simply quit, without any message.
In Vista you will receive the following message: "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations".

For Vista users ONLY: Navigate to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder. You'll see CBS.log file.
Usually, it's pretty big file, so upload it to Flyupload, and post download link.


If you don't have Windows CD....
This applies mostly to Windows XP, since Vista rarely requires use of its DVD while running "sfc"
Note This method will not necessarily work as well, as when using Windows CD, because not always ALL system files are backed up on your hard drive. Also, backed up files may be corrupted as well.

Go Start and then Run
type in regedit and click OK


Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

You will see various entries Values on the right hand side.

The one we want is called: SourcePath

It probably has an entry pointing to your CD-ROM drive, usually D and that is why it is asking for the XP CD.
All we need to do is change it to: C:
Now, double click the SourcePatch setting and a new box will pop up.
Change the drive letter from your CD drive to your root drive, usually C:
Close Registry Editor.

Now restart your computer and try sfc /scannow again!


Thanks to Broni for the instructions



Revised and Simplified:


Do you have a valid XP CD?

If so, place it in your CD ROM drive and follow the instructions below:

• Click on Start and select Run... type sfc /scannow (note the space) (Let this run undisturbed until the window with the blue progress bar goes away)

SFC - Which stands for System File Checker,
retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.
If you want to see what was replaced, right-click My Computer and click on Manage. In the new window that appears, expand the Event Viewer (by clicking on the + symbol next to it) and then click on System.

[rshaffer61]

OK lets check the system files.

Go Start and then to Run ("Start Search" in Vista),
Type in: sfc /scannow
Click OK (Enter in Vista).
Have Windows CD/DVD handy.
If System File Checker (sfc) finds any errors, it may ask you for the CD/DVD.
If sfc does not find any errors in Windows XP, it will simply quit, without any message.
In Vista you will receive the following message: "Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations".

For Vista users ONLY: Navigate to C:\Windows\Logs\CBS folder. You'll see CBS.log file.
Usually, it's pretty big file, so upload it to Flyupload, and post download link.


If you don't have Windows CD....
This applies mostly to Windows XP, since Vista rarely requires use of its DVD while running "sfc"
Note This method will not necessarily work as well, as when using Windows CD, because not always ALL system files are backed up on your hard drive. Also, backed up files may be corrupted as well.

Go Start and then Run
type in regedit and click OK


Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

You will see various entries Values on the right hand side.

The one we want is called: SourcePath

It probably has an entry pointing to your CD-ROM drive, usually D and that is why it is asking for the XP CD.
All we need to do is change it to: C:
Now, double click the SourcePatch setting and a new box will pop up.
Change the drive letter from your CD drive to your root drive, usually C:
Close Registry Editor.

Now restart your computer and try sfc /scannow again!


Thanks to Broni for the instructions



Revised and Simplified:


Do you have a valid XP CD?

If so, place it in your CD ROM drive and follow the instructions below:

• Click on Start and select Run... type sfc /scannow (note the space) (Let this run undisturbed until the window with the blue progress bar goes away)

SFC - Which stands for System File Checker,
retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.
If you want to see what was replaced, right-click My Computer and click on Manage. In the new window that appears, expand the Event Viewer (by clicking on the + symbol next to it) and then click on System.

[Canary]

Hi - it didn't find any errors, but I've since rebooted and everything is now working fine.

I've managed to download SP3 at long last - and Word opens, too!

I have no idea what you've done, but I guess that's why you're a Geek and I'm not!

Anyway, many thanks for your help and patience.

Cheers.

[rshaffer61]

Let me ask when you ran the SFC did you have your OS disk in the drive?

[Canary]

Yes, although it wasn't quite as simple as that.

I put the Windows XP Home Edition with SP2 disc in the drive - the disc that came with the Dell laptop six years ago. But it kept asking me to install the Windows XP Professional disc, even though I have never had XP Professional.

But on a whim, I inserted the Office XP disc I have - the only thing I have with the word "professional" in it. It asked me if I wanted to run a repair, which I did, and it seems now to be working.

Does this make sense to you?

[Canary]

One other thing has happened, though.

While everything else seems to be normal again now, I can't get anywhere with "Help and Support". The text that was down the left-hand side of the screen has disappered - and when I perform a search (say, for "System Restore"), it can't find anything.

Might that be related?

[rshaffer61]

Could be related but honestly in all the years I have been working on systems I think I have used Help and Support maybe twice.
The internet is a wide open Help and Support page.
Something like what you mentioned is readily available to find.
I put system restore xp in a Google search and got About 7,450,000 results (0.13 seconds)..
First result is from Support Microsoft.
Knowing how to word things a little different on a search will give you so much information way beyond what the Help and Support built into windows can give you.
Another option is right here at GTG. We have a vast level of members with different levels of expertise who are all willing to help.

[Canary]

Hi, and thanks again.

The reason I mentioned Help and Support is not because I wanted to use it, but simply because I wondered if it was part of a bigger problem.

The last time I had problems with my laptop, it started with the corruption of the Search facilty.

[rshaffer61]

That could be a part of it and could indicate

• Faulty Program
• Faulty OS Files
• Faulty Memory
• Faulty or Failing Hard Drive
• Sometimes it's just a glitch in the system at that time.
• Signs of a active infection of some sort

Hopefully it is nothing more then a glitch with the system and a simple restart usually takes care of it.

[Canary]

Is there a scan - such as OTL - that you'd recommend I run to make sure everything is OK? Or am I best to go to a different forum and start a new thread about that?

I don't now seem to have a problem per se - it's more for reassurance.

Thanks, as ever.

[rshaffer61]

Just as a precaution and nothing more I would suggest maybe having the Malware Techs go through and check your system for possibly a hidden infection.
I'm not saying there is one but that would just take one more variable out of the equation and give you peace of mind that you have nothing as far as a infection in your system right now. You should link to this topic so they can see everything we have done here and maybe they might have another suggestion also as a second set of eyes never hurt.
I suggest you read the 'Start Here' topic found here. With these self-help tools you have a high chance of fixing the problems on your own. If you are still having problems after following Step 3 of the guide, continue with Step 4 and 5 and post in the Malware Forum. If you are unable to run any programs, Please create a topic stating what you have tried so far and that you are unable to run any programs. Also, Please do NOT post the logs in this thread.

If you are still having issues after the malware expert gives you a clean bill of health, Please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).
Add a link to this topic so that malware tech can see what steps have been taken here

[Canary]

Brill - thanks once again.

[rshaffer61]

post the link for your malware topic and we can follow along there to see if anything shows up.

[Canary]

Here you are - cheers!

www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/293129-dell-laptop/

[rshaffer61]

If you ran a malwarebytes scan you might want to post that log also in the malware topic.