Trying to System Restore, but get blank screen....HELP!!!

Hi everyone!!

I'm having SERIOUS problems with XP. I accidentally deleted some IE6 files and cannot get them installed back on this computer. I've tried older versions/updated version and can't get it going...

Okay, so next step would be a system restore, right? well, can't do it. I try and only get a blank window, nothing in it. And tried to go to System Information but can't do that either, I need IE to do that too!!! Grrrrrr.

Any suggestions??? This is a brand new computer, everything is new... I just messed up with deleting some IE files because IE wasn't working (now I know I'm not the only one that was having trouble with it..)

Thanks in advance!!

 

Anyone??

 

Did you get XP on a CD with the computer?

Do you have SP1 installed?

 

I got the reinstallation CD w/ it.

I think I did the SP1 but not sure. I just see the SP2 on my list of programs.

But the CD I was given from Dell was just the "reinstallation CD ". Does that help?

Thanks!!

 

If it is a restore CD, it may erase everything off your hard drive and reinstall XP.

Check the CD to see if there is a folder called I386 on it.

 

Yes, the folder is in there....

 

OK. We better try the least intrusive method first.

You should know that using the System File Checker will not remove anything you have installed on your computer, but you may have to reinstall updates you got from Windows Update since you bought the computer. This can take a while on dialup, but is only a minor inconvenience on broadband.

Put the CD in your main CD drive. If it autostarts, click Exit, or whatever to get out of it.

Then go to Start, Run and type:
sfc /scannow

This will check for missing files and replace them.

 

Okay, did that but it just

blipped on the screen real fast and now I don't know if it's actually DOING anything. The disc isn't going..... How long should I wait??

Thanks!!!

 

Okay, rebooted and did it again

and it stayed up for a few minutes but didn't get the status bar doing anything and then it just disappeared. I don't think a thing was done though. I still don't have IE...... did I do something wrong here??

 

That is a very good question. The same thing happens on my machine. It appears I can't start the file checker any longer.

OK. Let's try something else.
Search for ie.inf
When you find it, right-click it and choose "Install ". If you don't have the XP CD in at that point, it will ask for it to reinstall IE6.

 

Strange....

Okay, did all of that. and I do get an icon (not regular IE icon) in the taskbar. I click it and it takes me to "my computer ".

Hmmmm.. well, thought that was doing something, I was excited!!! LOL!!!

 

Oh wait, got it working!!!

I tried windows update and it opened IE!! Yippee... Gonna test it out now, be back!!!

 

Okay very strange..

I can only get the browser up with clicking the "windows update ". No icons and it won't open any other way.

Still no System Restore or System Information.

It's so strange too, I went to download IE to update it or whatever and I get that "hasn't been logo tested" thing still. I am so tired, will pick this up tomorrow.

Nighty night, and THANKS!

 

Well, I got my file checker working.

Go to run and type:
sfc /revert
to return to default settings.

Then try:
sfc /scanonce

Restart the computer. Theoretically, the file check should be done on the next boot, but in any case, after doing this, sfc /scannow started working for me, though it took quite a while before a dialog popped up asking for the CD.

Information on reinstalling IE6 in XP is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318378

If you can complete the sfc, it is still a good idea.

 

Okay, when you do the SFC commands

does a window stay up on the screen or does it just flash real fast?? Mine just pops up and disappears in a matter of a second. I'll try to reboot again and do this.


Just wonderin.

 

There used to be a progress bar, but I haven't seen it since SP1.

If you try the sfc /scanonce option, you will notice on your next reboot that the hard drive is active and in your Task Manager, winlogon.exe is using quite a bit of CPU. The process takes quite a while and if your CD is not in, it will ask for it. (Mine is stll running after 15 minutes).

When it finishes, reboot again.

If this still doesn't help, you should try reinstalling XP. Use your CD, but follow the prompts very carefully. Do not continue if it wants to format your drive and put the machine back to its day one state.

If you get the normal XP installation options, however, you will get an option after pressing F8 to accept the license to repair your present installation.

That may be the best option at this point. Since you have missing shortcuts/icons, it sounds like the damage is a little more extensive than just missing files. Sfc won't restore the shortcuts, while a reinstallation will.

But, please be sure to read your documentation and follow the prompts carefully. If you have a recovery CD that returns the computer to the day it was bought, you may want to follow the directions in the link above and just try reinstalling IE.

 

Hi, tried again today and still nothing.

I guess I'll try the reinstall. I'll try to reboot one more time though...


Thanks and wish me luck!!

Crysti

and then on to getting my network set up again, *sigh*

 

Good news, sorta

I guess it's good news... System restore now comes up but it doesn't work!! I've tried 3 different restore points and none will work. I'm going to keep trying and hope that I can hit one...

Any suggestions??


I'd SO rather NOT do a reinstall!!!

Hee Hee

FOLLOW UP:

Still doesn't work. don't know what to do now......

 

Rod, what does the--SFC--you guys are mentioning in this post stand for?

 

Edit to my last post --sorry I should have said Abraxas & Kittie instead of Rod, was thinking of another post.
Paul