friends computer

Taff

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When they try to boot they get a message saying a windows file is missing or corrupt, run set up and r for repair...

When the xp disk is then placed in the drive the computer wont boot from that, tried the repair feature and the thing just locks up..

Tried to re install, get the message windows is looking for previous installed windows and again locks up ??

Could the hard drive be knackered ? though bios recognises it as being there..

Regards

Taff
 
I think even if you do manage to get it working, files and folders will be really messed up all over the place slowing the pc down. if it was me, i'd try backup everything i can and do a full format. but if that is not your first option, when you do repair windows, it comes up with repair twice, the first time is before you select your operating system in setup and after. are you selecting the one after you select your operating system in the setup? hope that didnt confuse you lol.
 
It sounds like either a virus or your computer memory has a problem.
I would recommend a virus scan or if you have a spare memory stick try that
 
Sound to me like missing or corrupt system files......... You need the technicians friend called ERD Commander.
Run that little beauty and it more than aften automatically detects corrupt files and repairs them. job done.
You can download it via your usual naughty sites :)
 
I would personally backup as much as you can as the man says above either by booting into windows if this is still possible after skipping the missing files, or by shoving the HD into a working PC. Format and start fresh, and see if that solves it. BUT it sounds like a hardware fault to me I would say either failing HD or RAM problem.
Hope that helps
^Ac|d^
 
trust me, if your friend is getting 'missing or corrupt system files' error message.......... it will be software related.... happens all the time at work. Wether that is down to a failing HDD is possible but doubtful.
Granted, reinstalling XP will resolve the problem but you will obviously need to back things up.
Using the XP repair feature is almost impossible unless you know exactly what you are doing. It drops into dos mode and you have to know exactly what to type.
That's why I suggest boot to ERD Commander on CD it will try and do it for you.
ERD Commander will also get you into your pc so that you can copy important files off onto USB or external hdd etc.

If you really want to use the XP Repair option, heres instructions on what to do (Warning: Long and tedius work invloved : shocked2 ) http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor1.htm
 
agree with bodser good advice

i pesonally would shove an old hdd in system 2g - 10g what ever u have about and install windows on that.

doesnt tell u whats wrong but it will give confidence in mem proc sysboard etc
 
put your xp disc in cdrom mate reset the tower then go into bios change it to boot up with cdrom and do a complete install mate unless you know exactly which driver/file is missing there wont be much else you can do buddy
 
U already tried that smiler, it doesnt go past the "windows is looking for previously installed version" message

the computer just locks up then

regards

Taff
 
Hi
Had this prob before
turned out to be 2 probs at the same time
Dust in the ide cable and a ram strip on its way out
How many strips are in the pc and have you another to try it
 
Are you using the correct repair install? When you put your XP CD in and boot to it, the first screen you come across asks you whether you want to install XP or run recovery console. Choose install and then there should be a repair install option in there. Either do that or slave your hard drive in another machine to back up your data and then do a clean install.

I've come across this problem a couple of times with XP and with 98. It usually happens when I'm screwing around with something that makes the PC crash and I pull the plug on the PC to reset the machine. I always go for a clean install and recover my files from a back up.
 
the 2 most common causes are bad memory and malware

you really should give us the full error message if you want a fix more tuned to fault
 
bios

Hi

Have you tried going into the bios and making sure the computer is booting from the correct hard disk, I have found a few times Xp has a habit of changing the boot drive, May be worth a look?

Regards

Mole :toiletcla
 
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