MS Paint

[aquarius]

In trying to use MS Paint, I get this message: "MS paint.exe has generated errors and will be closed by windows. You will need to restart the program. An error log will be created."

I restarted windows and got the same message. Any ideas?

[ProfessorU]

have you tried a repair with the 2000 CD?

also, paint is a pretty crummy way to work with images. If you're a student or teacher you can get Photoshop Elements on the CHEAP or even if you're not, under $60 with a rebate.

[aquarius]

How do you repair through the CD because I would like it to be fixed (although I don't like it as much as Photoshop which I used in a class)? And, how do you order Photoshop Elements?

Thanks

[Mulder]

Could be a corrupt profile or registry entry. Do you get the same problem when logging in as a different user or administrator? If it works as another user, try deleting the mspaint registry key (after backing it up) so it gets re-created. See 185501 for the path.

[ProfessorU]

put the windows 2000 CD in your drive... restart your pc.

when it says "press any key to boot from CD" press a key

wait for awhile while windows collects itself

follow the default options to 'repair an existing windows 2000 installation'

remove the CD from the drive as the PC restarts

If you're a student, adobe provides this page to help you find an online vendor. Looks like about $45 or so for elements 2.0 by itself. If you're looking for a particular recommendation I have purchased educational licenses for adobe software through www.1computerbargains.com and got a fabulous price with quick shipment.

If you're no longer a student, I would recommend www.buy.com or www.amazon.com .

edit: I saw elements 2.0 for $50 at wal*mart the other day.

**post edited by moderator**

[aquarius]

ProfessorU,

I did get Photoshop Elements as you recommended from Amazon--just received it. With rebates, I got a really good deal. Thanks for the recommendation--this is more my speed than the full-blown Photoshop.

I'm finally going to try and fix my Paint program and I'm a little tentative in going through the "repair" portion. What kinds of things will I be prompted to do during the "follow the default options to repair an existing windows 2000 installation" part? I'm good at software programs, but not experienced at tampering with my OS.

Tips for a novice would really be appreciated.

[SuperSparks]

Before you try a Repair install, put the Win2000 CD in the drive and go to Start>Run and type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. That'll replace any damaged or corrupted system files.

If that doesn't work then do the repair install. Boot up with the W2K CD in the drive, let Setup run and go past the first "R" repair option by pressing Enter - it takes you to the Recovery Console, so if you find yourself at a Command Prompt then you've gone wrong - this confuses a lot of people. Let Setup continue and it will eventually give you an option to "Repair an existing installation", that's the one you want. If you get asked about formatting then you've done something wrong - start again. Then it's just a matter of letting Setup do it's thing, you'll need to enter your Product Key again, and you need to redo Regional Settings and all that but that's all.

You keep all your existing apps and settings, but you will need to re-install Service Packs, Windows Updates & any unsigned drivers afterwards.

[Gerdog]

Paint is not a very big file. You might be better off to copy it onto a floppy from another computer's system32 folder, and then copy it back to yours. Maybe even have a friend email it to you.

[aquarius]

Thanks for all your input and advice to my MSPaint problem posted on May 27. After trying a variety of troubleshooting techniques, it seems Mulder had the right diagnosis--it was a corrupt profile. It's now fixed.


Thanks again--I love this forum.