Complex Problem With Windows XP

[captaincabbage]

Hello, Recently after running AVAST, a long list of files popped up from the virus scan. I thought they had viruses because ( And they might have) it said, file unable to scan. So I randomly selected about 200+ of the files and deleted them. Most of which were probably vital to Windows XP. After I deleted those a pop up came up and said, files have been switched with unrecognized versions, please put your windows XP cd into the cd drive to correct the problem. But instead of doing that, I hit restart from the Avast window.

After that, my computer would go black after the windows xp screen with a blue bar scrolling horizontally for the reboot. So I decided to put the windows xp disk into the computer and try to fix the problem on the boot.

When I tried to chose the repair installation for my windows from the CD, it said that it could not find the file, "asms" on the disk, repeatedly.

So I gave that up and decided to reinstall windows on the same partition but a different folder, this time "c:\windows2" rather than "c:\windows".

Well That's where I am now.

I know that I could reinstall windows on the same folder as "c:\windows"

But I am unsure whether that will delete all of my files in "my documents".

I had chose to prevent anyone else from accessing my files when my computer was working correctly a while ago so I am unable to access any of my old files using explorer. I am unaware if there is another way to access them.

My first goal is to restore my other windows, "c:\windows" but if I am unable to do that then I would like to find a way to get all of my files from my documents.


Computer:
Windows XP Pro
Intel 1.5 ghz
256mb RAM
30 gb harddrive.
1 partition with both of the OS on it.

If you need any other information I will be glad to supply it. As I am new to this kind of thing.

Thank you very much.

[Jazz]

Hi captaincabbage

Please understand, due to the many factors in reinstalling, repairing, or upgrading an OS, as opposed to a clean install, there is always going to be a possibility of data loss or a loss of program settings. That is why, IMO, you should always use a disk imaging utility, such as Norton Ghost. A fact that cannot really be ignored.

Do you have a genuine, hologramed XP CD or restore/recovery disks? I know you referred to 'windows XP CD', however, I just want to clarify this.

If you do have a genuine, hologramed XP CD, then perform the following procedure, on your original c:\Windows folder: -

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;315341

If all goes well, hopefully, you will be able to access your ‘important data’ in order to back it up.

I know that I could reinstall windows on the same folder as "c:\windows"

See my comments above. That is a chance you are going to have to take.

M$ state that, verbatim, NOTE: The information in this article applies only to computers with Windows XP preinstalled by a computer manufacturer.

You may lose data that is stored in the All Users folder and default program templates and settings that are stored in the Default User folder after you reinstall, repair, or upgrade Windows XP. You may be missing Start menu shortcuts, items in the Startup group, and documents, pictures, or music files that are stored in the Shared Documents folder.

This problem can occur after you perform any of the following actions on a computer that has Windows XP preinstalled by a computer manufacturer (also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM):

You reinstall Windows XP in the same folder by clicking Upgrade (Recommended) after you run Winnt32.exe, or by clicking the Install Windows XP link on the "Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP" screen that appears when you insert the Windows XP CD-ROM. This is also known as performing an in-place upgrade or an in-place installation.

You repair Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, pressing ENTER to set up Windows XP, and then pressing R to repair the selected installation.
You upgrade the Windows XP Home Edition installation that was preinstalled by your computer manufacturer to the retail version of Windows XP Professional'.

However, even if you have in your possession a 'qualifying' XP CD, I would not like to take that chance.

Tried Recovery Console?

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...B;en-us;q314058

Another option would be to use System Restore from a command prompt, even though we all know that System Restore is unpredictable and unreliable at the best of times.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=304449

Could even be that a corrupted registry is not allowing a normal booting sequence.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

If these ideas do not work and somebody does not come up with a resolution, the only way out will be to perform a ‘clean install’. Just read the instructions very carefully. If in doubt, print them out!

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

If you only have restore/recovery cd’s, perform the following and reinstall as per the instructions that came with your Dell/HP etcetera system.

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/fdisk/fdisk1.htm

Whatever you decide to do, good luck…………

[captaincabbage]

Jazz,
Thank you for your reply.
This is my second time writing the same thing since it didnt work the first time so I apologize if it is brief.

I reinstalled windows in the c:\windows file

It is running fine and it is running as if it was just installed(No desktop, everything default)

My files are still there but I cannot access them because they are private. And since the windows that I had installed was overwritten I cannot log onto the user to make them not private.

I have read in an article that I can format my drive to ntsf in order to make them not private but I am not sure if my drive is already that format and I think I need to uninstall my c:\windows2 windows before I format the drive. Do you know anything about this kind of format? Is it safe? How would I uninstall the windows2?

This is the article I read about it,

http://support.microsoft.com/default...NoWebContent=1


Thank you again.

[captaincabbage]

I resolved the folder problem with this article,


http://www.mcse.ms/message717972.html


Thank you.

[Jazz]

Nice one.....................