Files don't open from CD

I can't open files from my CD (a setup.exe, for example) under normal Windows XP. The drive works fine in safe mode or DOS, what makes me believe that the trouble belongs to the OS. Whenever I try to open a file I receive a message "The procedure entry point ... could not be located in the dynamic link library ..." (I used dots where words vary). Thanks for any assistance

 

Thanks for your assistance, but as a newbie the link didn't take me to anything helpful. Would you mind to be more specific?

 

If this started suddenly after things had been working OK, then you have several possibilities

- least likely but most dangerous so good to do first is a full virus scan using an online scanning program that you know is current and can't be disabled by a virus like your onboard AV program (you do have one??) could be. I like RAV.

- your hard drive could have experienced some sort of bad event that left you with some pockets of stuff that just won't work right. So a general file/drive scan and problem fixing is next. Do the following "
.. start~run~cmd
.. chkdsk /r and when you get the message saying the scan can't be done now, answer Y(es) to doing it at next restart.
.. exit
.. do a normal reboot. The disk checking and repair (if needed) will start automatically and may take a while. System will boot back up when it is done.

- you could simply have a damaged system file that is causing the problem. After the above two items to make sure things are clean:
.. place your XP install CD in the drive and if it wants to autostart anything, don't let it. Close, exit, whatever but leave the CD in the drive.
.. start~run~cmd
.. sfc /scannow

If things are still not working right, post back and we can try more troubleshooting/fixing but at that point we'll know your PC is generally in good shape.

OldSailor - hmmmmm. How long wuz you a sailor? Took 27 years to get enough salt water to last me.

 

Hi, Newt
Thanks a bunch for your assistance. (Un)Fortunatelly RAV woudn't find a single virus in my system and the hd passed with honors by the surface scan test.
I'm almost sure the problem has its origin in some system file (the trouble happens only in normal Windows, but not in safe mode). However, I couldn't run sfc as indicated since the Windows XP CD was not aknowledge by the system and sfc does not run in safe mode...
I retired from the Navy more than 10 years ago, after 30 in active duty. I graduated from USN PGS in '74

 

Good about no virus. Bad about the other. I'll have to do a smidgen of research and post some ideas tomorrow (well, later today).

I retired from the USCG in '91. 4 years Navy then the rest CG since they didn't do evil things with corpsmen during war time. Marines were interesting but nothing I wanted to do twice.