Re: repairing XP

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 03/15/04 

Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 09:58:43 -0800

Jo Smith wrote:

> Malke:
> Originally, the error message appeared at boot. After I
> replaced the file, the message no longer appears at boot,
> but it appears, sometimes, when Outlook Express is open [
> not opened, but when it is open ].
>
>
> userinit.exe - Bad Image
> App or DLL c:/windows/system32 Winspool.DRV is not a
> valid windows image.
>
> I'll post the printer information, when I obtain it.
>
In this case, unless you or your friend can do hardware diagnosis, I
highly suggest that your friend take the machine to a good local
computer repair shop. I would definitely want to test the hard drive
and the RAM. Here are my generic hardware troubleshooting steps:

1) open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing); 2) test
the RAM - I like Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - let the test run
for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately; 3) test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from
the mftr.; 4) the power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for
the devices you have in the system; 5) test the motherboard with
something like TuffTest from www.tufftest.com. Testing hardware
failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good
parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable
opening your computer, take the machine to a good local computer repair
shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).
 
In my opinion, this is not a problem that will be easily fixed except by
having hands on the machine. Trying to do it third-hand via Usenet
posts will be very difficult.

Malke 

-- 
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Relevant Pages

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