[360nourishment]

Yes you are correct, but the search I conducted was for winnt32. The error message referenced winnt32.exe.

Edited by 360nourishment, 04 July 2012 - 05:06 PM.

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ok you should be typing in the run box winnt32.exe and not winnt32

[rshaffer61]

ok you should be typing in the run box winnt32.exe and not winnt32

[360nourishment]

Yes, this was the original file I was looking for. I typed in winnt32.exe and received the below error message:

Windows cannot find 'winnt32.exe'

[Macboatmaster]

If you have not already done so, it MAYBE worthwhile trying the other methods of running the system file check in my post 26

I do appreciate that this is not going to be a repair installation, but my opinion is that the repair without the CD is NEVER going to work.

The principle of a repair installation is that it effectively reinstalls windows, using the files from the CD, but retaining all existing user settings and the other parts of the installation.

Its main use is to recover from corruption, deletion of windows files when no other solution has worked., and if it was really possible, with an effective guaranteed result, you may I think agree that Microsoft would have produced the guide to it.

[rshaffer61]

OK what if you go to the I386 folder and click on the file there?

[Macboatmaster]

Also I have just read that guide on your post 32.
I would NOT place a great confidence in it

I feel reasonably certain that my colleague will confirm that this statement on the guide is incorrect

Back up everything on your computer to floppy disks, CDs or external hard drives. This includes not only your saved pictures, documents, other files and passwords, but also every program on the computer--especially the ones you installed after purchasing the computer.

Reboot the system if needed. Once you are sure the entire operating system is fully functioning, reinstall or copy all your personal applications, programs and files from your backups.

The reason I say that is, because programs can NOT be copied and reinstalled in that manner.

The only way programs can be preserved is by the use of a complete image, they can not be backed up and copied as documents images and audio files can.

OR they must be reinstalled from the installation media.

[360nourishment]

Hi rshaffer61,

I have numerous i386 files, but none of them contain the winnt32.exe.

[rshaffer61]

Then I would believe your I386 folder is useless at this point.
Your best option is to borrow a installation disk and then try the repair with that or in the worse case scenario a complete format and fresh install.
As far as what Mac just posted he is 100% correct. Programs cannot be saved the way it says. You have to reinstall each program again but the data from within those programs can be saved and copied back to the original location once the program is installed again. I did see a warning during my research on the winnt32.exe use that it would format and load your OS fresh.

[360nourishment]

Alright guys. Thanks anyway for your help I'll have to find someone that has that disk. In the meantime, my backup computer is showing similar symptoms as my problem computer. I barely use this computer, as a matter of fact the last time I used it was almost 2 months. I am starting to think that what I think are system problems may be a virus. Two different computers with 2 different versions of XP installed show the same prob?

The only common link btwn both computers is my external hard drive however, I ran anti-virus scan on the hard drive and there were no viruses. I will run a malaware scan now.

I doubt they are both system related. BTW I have the correct XP installation for this computer.

Edited by 360nourishment, 04 July 2012 - 05:55 PM.

[Macboatmaster]

I do not have time now to re read the whole topic, but I think you can still access windows and I do not think this has been tried, as we were of course concentrating on your question regarding repair.

Boot the computer into what is known as clean boot please and see if your problems still exist

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Please use the manual method and take care only to proceed as far as and including step3.
Please do not proceed to step 4.
That will delete all restore points.

WHEN IN CLEAN BOOT please check immediately that your anti virus is still running, BEFORE you go online.

[360nourishment]

Hi Macboatmaster,

Ok, I've only gone up to Step 3 of the Clean Boot. So far, so good.

[Macboatmaster]

Does that mean so far so good no problems as before

have memory errors, and strange application errors that pop up randomly. My adobe player plugin constantly crashes and text randomly disappears when I am online (regardless of the browser I'm using) and text will also disappear from all MS Office programs I am using. I believe that I have corrupted files, etc. I've run numerous anti-virus scans and malaware scans, a couple of registry error scans and even ran OTL and Combofix. Nothing has helped so far.]

Or does it mean no problems with executing the clean boot

[360nourishment]

No problems as in lack of random error pop ups etc. However, the day is still young and ripe for opportunity (knock on wood this is not the case).

Do I stop at this step?

[Macboatmaster]

What about text from office programs etc

No you do not stop, you test it and then if it is OK in clean boot it is something else running automatically that is now not running in the clean boot that is causing the crash
Once we have established that it is OK then we will start the next stage
Did you check as I asked that you AV is definitely active and not disabled by the clean boot, otherwise of course you will have problems

[360nourishment]

No, no disappearing text while online or offline, but those occurrences happended randomly and sometimes more frequently, so it's hard to judge right away. I'll give it another day or two to test and then I'll know for sure if things are still jacked up on my end.

And yes, my AV program (avast) is still active and running.

Edited by 360nourishment, 05 July 2012 - 05:46 PM.