I'm Stumped

Get your WinXP CD handy, then go to Start>Run and type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. That'll replace any missing or corrupt system files.

I tried that last night....and it did ask for my CD....which I put in.....

I could hear it spin up and SFC ran for about 5 minutes. I dont' know if it took any files, though....I didn't get any report....just that the scan finished. :confused:

Whatever it did...it didn't help with this. Perhaps the files in question are not protected? :confused:

I'll run it again......

It just silently replaces any missing or corrupt files, unfortunately you don't get a report.

In that case, I think the next thing to try is an over-the-top reinstall of Windows. Boot up with the XP CD in the drive and let Setup run. Go past the "C" and "R" repair options by pressing Enter just as if you're doing a clean install and you'll eventually get an option to "Repair an existing installation". That's the one you want. If it asks about formatting you've gone wrong, so start over.

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.

How to perform a re-install of WinXP

Repair XP

WinXP Non-destructive Total Rebuild

Ran SFC again.....no change.....

Yeah...it's looking like a windows over-install..... :(

I will backup some important things just in case something goes wrong. Will I have to re-activate with an over-install?

Also....will windows updates read that my system needs all the fixes and SP2 again, on its own....or do I need to make note of all the fixes I have taken over the years? :eek:

You won't have to re-activate. And Windows Update will work out exactly what needs to be installed again, so there is no need to note anything down :)

Thanks for the info.... :)

Going to be a delay....as I see my DVD burner isn't burning for some reason.... :rolleyes:

Have to say at this point.....I took the SP2 upgrade a couple months ago and things have been steadily deteriorating since then. It started out as minor slowdowns here and there....and other slight annoyances....but at this point, with no detection of malware or other cause, I have to consider the possibility that SP2 at least has contributed to this mess...if not caused it.

Most of the things I am noticing now I haven't used in quite some time so who knows how long they have been screwed up....

I am on a home network and am going to dump everything I have onto another machine and then decide if I am going to overinstall....or wipe the drive and start over. This time I will not take SP2.....

Thanks for the assistance folks....but I don't see a fix other than a major overhaul at this point...and perhaps that isn't a bad idea. I have accumulated quite a bit of junk anyway.....

Max, Install XP, then the mobo drivers, SP2, Video drivers
in that order. Then you av and firewall, get the updates.

Using that method and been running for almost 2 years with no problems.
I use that method on clients rigs also.

Slipstreaming SP2 to XP really cuts the time down.

I looked into slipstreaming yesterday....and it was the first I ever heard of it. Ran into the term by accident. Shows how out of touch I have been lately..... :D

If I decide to retake SP2.... which I am against at this point...I will consider slipstreaming. I run alot of older software...and they all seem to work better under SP1 than they do under SP2. Maybe it is just perception....but it sure seems that way for me. I get attached to some programs..... ;)

I'm a big fan of slipstreaming. You may find these articles useful:

Creating a slipstreamed CD

Slipstreaming WinXP with SP2

Installing WinXP & SP2 with one CD

Update....

I tried over-installing...

It hung and froze the first attempt....second attempt dragged on for several hours..... :eek:

It finally finished and all my problems previously talked about still exist.....go figure.....

In addition.....Outlook Express is not working now and a couple others are erroring out.

Going with reformat and full reinstall tomorrow......out of options......and I guess we will never know what caused this 'cascade' failure. At this point I have no choice but to blame SP2 or some other MS update..... :confused:

I think you may have hardware problems here Maxx :( First of all, try testing the RAM, you can run either or both of these from a floppy, without needing to boot into Windows:

Memtest86

Windows Memory Diagnostic

MAXX
Run both of them, if the first one comes up with no errors.

Quote:

---

I run alot of older software...and they all seem to work better under SP1 than they do under SP2.

---

Set up a 2nd computer for them, use a KVM switch to control it, then I would keep it off the internet.

There are other tricks that work also. Requires dual booting though.

Formatting is already underway.....

I'll check the hardware afterward......thanks....

I reinstalled windows......

Went very well....except for the fact that I first installed windows on the wrong partition..... :rolleyes: :D

Got it on the C drive now and good to go. ;)

Install was very fast and smooth.....which bodes well for the hardware. I will still get it checked once I finish with the MB drivers and such....