Re: Unable to Access Data from User Accounts after a System Recove

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I did what you suggested and everything seemed to work ok. But somewhere on
my harddrive must be a software issue that causes problems because within an
hour got the same new error message, I pressed enter by mistake and it booted
into windows but not the desktop that I had previously and there was nothing
in start or anywhere else just my computer, ie, recylcle bin.

I was just going to Fdisk and start over, but HP's restore disks (where my
XP is) automatically partitions the drive and I really don't know how to
proceed.

"Malke" wrote:

Seuss wrote:

OK....primal sceam, part 2:

Did a complete format, no problems. Re-installed windowsXP, no problems.
Re-installed pctools spyware doctor and firewall (includes virus
protection),
no problems. Got evrything the way I like it--then did a re-boot after
Registry Mechanic installed and updated and got this:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<WINDOWS root>system32\hal.dll

Sounds like Registry Mechanic hosed your startup.

1. Follow these instructions to fix the startup error:

Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead of
Setup, take the immediate R for Repair. Assume any password requested is
blank unless you assigned a password to the built-in Administrator account.
When you get the command prompt, type:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\boot.ini [enter]
DEL C:\boot.ini [enter]
to delete the bad one
BootCfg /Rebuild [enter]
to search for Windows installations and make a new one

Exit the Recovery Console and boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly as the
computer is starting). Try and uninstall Registry Mechanic in Safe Mode. If
it won't uninstall in Safe Mode, stop all its services and remove it from
Startup.

Start>Run>services.msc [OK] (if there are any Registry Mechanic services,
set them to Disabled)

Then:
Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Hopefully you will then be able to go into Regular Mode and uninstall
Registry Mechanic.

Once you get Registry Mechanic uninstalled and the system working correctly,
do *not* reinstall it. Stay away from "registry fixers" as they are at best
snake oil and at worst will hose Windows (as you have already found out the
hard way). Read this thread for more detail:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 - registry cleaner thread

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: sys.ini problems
    ... Service Startup States ... Windows XP, 2000, NT4 Services Guide ... system scan in safe mode, which scanned a larger number of files than it ... Scroll down to and double click Print Spooler | On the General tab, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • Re: winword.exe starts automatically at boot up, uses large % and
    ... the application doesn't already have an associated prefetch file, Windows XP ... Safe Mode w/ System Restore disabled) ... Also with StartMan, clicking on the Help menu, you can select ... [[StartMan is an extended 'msconfig' Startup Manager, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: xp taking hours to boot
    ... running on startup, but whatever the problem I'm having trouble getting ... anything to work in Windows. ... Many apps and services won't start in Safe Mode so you can get more control of the system. ... But, If there is malware, and it's a possibility, it's helpful to remove the drive, attach it to another system - I use USB2 drive cases and adapters for this - and do a virus and malware scan. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: sys.ini problems
    ... Service Startup States ... Windows XP, 2000, NT4 Services Guide ... system scan in safe mode, which scanned a larger number of files than it ... Scroll down to and double click Print Spooler | On the General tab, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • Re: Unable to Access Data from User Accounts after a System Recove
    ... Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: ... Sounds like Registry Mechanic hosed your startup. ... Try and uninstall Registry Mechanic in Safe Mode. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)