OS malfunction
dama1
Protection started I got the message "Files that are required for Windows to
run properly must be copied to the DLL cache." It then instructed, "Insert
your Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 CD now." I don't get it, I have
Windows XP Home Edition and that's what the OS disk say's. Needless to say,
the process didn't work because when I ran sfc /scannow again I got the same
message. Can anybody shed any light on this anomoly. (I had uninstalled
Service Pack 3 so the OS disk would match what was on the C: drive). I have a
Vostro 200 desktop system. Thanks for any assist.
Dave G.
Leonard Grey
What is the name of the possibly corrupt file, and why do you suspect
that it is corrupt? (Please quote the full text of error messages.)
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est
Daave
Something isn't adding up!
What OS is indicated on your COA sticker?
What OS is indicated when you do the following:
Start | Run | winver | OK
What exactly do you mean by "a possible corrupt file"? What is its name,
and why do you believe it may be corrupt?
What other problems have you been experiencing and for how long? Can you
recall anything you did (installing a program or update, for instance)
immediately before your proble(s)?
dama1
Refer to my question dated 11/6 titled "Missing DLL in Cache" for a full
explanation of how this occured. It was the HP tech trying to get my
all-in-one to function who ran the sfc /scannow and concluded the problem was
with the operating system, not the HP software (after 3 hours of diagnostics
and reinstalling software).
My OS disk has a Dell label on it indicating it is a reinstallation CD for
Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2. Sorry, I don't know what a COA
sticker is.
"Winver" is Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.09084-1435: Service Pack
3). I reinstalled service pack 3 after unsuccessfully running sfc /scannow.
Leonard, note you told me there was no problem as a response to my prior
question. Obviously something isn't right.
Dave G.
"Daave" wrote:
> .
>
Daave
blue area up top.)
2. COA = Certificate of Authenticity. Does your Dell Vostro 200 have a
COA sticker on it? A COA sticker looks like this:
http://cdn2.ioffer.com/img/item/117/987/491/i8hyeuT79PdHLfY.jpg
If you have one, what OS is indicated on it? XP Home or XP Pro? (Or it
could be Vista, for all I know!)
3. Did anyone ever repair your PC? For instance, it's possible your PC
came with XP Home, but someone at some point upgraded you to XP Pro.
dama1
I ran winver again. In the blue field at the top it say's Windows XP Home
Edition. The COA (Proof of License) is attached to the top of the CPU and
say's Windows XP Home Edition. No one has worked on or serviced my computer.
It's only two years old. Just FYI, when I ran sfc /scannow with Service Pack
3 installed it said "Insert your Windows XP Home Edition CD". After I
uninstalled Service Pack 3, it said "Insert your Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 2 CD".
Go figure???
Dave G.
"Daave" wrote:
> .
>
Daave
Did this HP tech work in person? Or did he work remotely? I'm wondering
if he screwed something up!
A Repair Install might be indicated. Which version of IE are you
running?
dama1
get the software to work properly, including going into the registry to
insure all files relating to HP were removed before a reinstall. One
reinstall was via my setup disk, another via their web site. He didn't mess
with any OS files as far as I can tell (I was watching the entire time). I'm
running IE6 (6.0.2900.5512). Is a repair install the same as a reinstall,
i.e. all software programs would need to be reinstalled? That would be a real
pain in the patutie. Let me know what you think....
Thanks again,
Dave G.
"Daave" wrote:
> .
>
dama1
an effort to get the HP software for the all-in-one to work, including
opening the registry to delete any reference to HP before reinstalling. Tried
once from my HP disk and once from their web site. I was watching the entire
time and he didn't fool around with any OS files. It was then he ran the sfc
/scannow and got the message about files required for Windows to run
properly. His conclusion; The problem is in the OS, not the HP software. Is a
repair install the same as a regular reinstall? Would I have to reload all my
software programs? That would be a real pain in the patutie. Your
thoughts............
Thanks again,
Dave G.
"Daave" wrote:
> .
>
Daave
A Clean Install is working with a clean slate, where you would have to
reinstall all your updates, programs, etc.
A Repair Install, if done correctly, leaves all your data and programs,
etc. intact. Then again, nothing is 100% foolproof. At the very least,
you should back up *all* your data before performing the Repair Install.
Also, your SP levels should match.
IIRC, you uninstalled and reinstalled SP3. What version of IE did you
have through all this? Assuming you originally had IE6, did you upgrade
to either IE7 or IE8, and if so, when (that is, at what SP level) did
you do this? Did you ever intentionally downgrade to IE6?
dama1
any chances. Should I anyway, for better performance? It certainly is strange
that the system ask's for XP home edition when I have service pack 3
installed, and XP pro with service pack 2 when I unstall SP3. A repair
install could be the best solution. What's the process for this? Should I
uninstall SP3 as my OS disk is SP2? I already have all my files, e-mail and
photos backed up on a SimpleTech external drive. I appreciate all your help
and will take your advise.
Dave G.
"Daave" wrote:
> .
>
Daave
All good questions. I will reply inline.
dama1 wrote:
> I never upgraded IE from version 6.
That makes the Repair Install much easier. :-) For a Repair Install to
go smoothly, you should have IE6.
> I'm happy with it and didn't want
> to take any chances. Should I anyway, for better performance?
Not better performance (i.e., loading of pages isn't speediet). IE7 and
IE8 have more features, most notably tabbed browsing. Matter of
preference.
> It
> certainly is strange that the system ask's for XP home edition when I
> have service pack 3 installed, and XP pro with service pack 2 when I
> unstall SP3.
I had never heard of that before. I still think it might have been
something the HP tech did.
> A repair install could be the best solution.
If it results in a stable OS, yes. But if not, you may need to perform a
Clean Install (hopefully not).
> What's the
> process for this? Should I uninstall SP3 as my OS disk is SP2?
Some people obtain (from a friend or colleague), the same installation
CD -- the only difference being the SP level. That is, if you knew
someone who had a Dell-branded XP Home installation CD at the SP3 level,
you could keep your PC's OS at its current SP3 level (because they would
match). No problem with legality or ethics because the *license* is what
is important and you stated you have a license (per your COA sticker).
The nice thing about the Dell-branded CDs is that when you install it
(on a Dell of course!), there is no need to enter a Product Key because
Dell uses something called System Locked Preinstallation (SLP), which
means that it looks for info hard-coded onto your motherboard's CMOS
chip.
For those who can't borrow the proper CD, some choose to create their
own, using their older Dell CD, the SP3 installation file from
Microsoft, and a few other files. This process is called slipstreaming
by many, and it is normally straightforward. But since Dell CDs are
customized, some people have reported problems. If you wish to pursue
this, you might have more success by posting to a Dell forum or
newsgroup and ask for guidance.
Here are some links for reference:
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=295
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19303406/19585246.aspx
Since there are many variables, you might decide you would rather not
attempt slipstreaming (at least presently), so you would need to
uninstall SP3, so that your OS is at the SP2 level. This way your SP
levels would match. You could then perform the Repair Install, and then
later re-upgrade to SP3.
Hopefully the Repair Install will straighten out your OS. Then again,
you'll be back to Square One with regard to your HP All-In-One. Perhaps
you should post to an HP forum for assistance. Then again, I wonder if
HP might be repsonsible to offer you no-charge support because of what
the first HP tech did. Or you might just want to avoid HP techs
altogether. :-)
Repair Install instructions:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
> I already have all my files, e-mail and photos backed up on a
> SimpleTech external drive.
Excellent. Did you also back up your address book and Web browser
favorites? If you have a folder of installation files, back those up,
too!
If you use Outlook Express for e-mail, you should definitely look here:
http://www.insideoe.com/backup/
Backing up is a precaution. If the Repair Install goes well, there will
be no need to restore your backups or reinstall any apps. Backups should
be done regularly, regardless, so any future disaster won't result in
the loss of important data.
> I appreciate all your help and will take
> your advise.
> Dave G.
YW. Hopefully the Repair Install will work for you. Otherwise, be
prepared for the more involved Clean Install:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html