unwell windows XP PC
 

Help needed.

I have stuffed my PC in a big way and am faced with the possibility that I may have to do a complete reformat of my HD and reinstall XP. Before I do this I am hoping that some one on here may be able to help answer a few questions before I go and do the deed. All because I tried to uninstall Norton products, I'll never use them again thats for sure.

1. Has any one ever used the Windows XP repair function, if yes what exactly does it do, do I loose all my email and favorites in IE6 for instance.

2. How do I save my IE favourites for reinstallation to IE after the new install of windows.

3. How do I save both my outlook express address book and all my current emails and associated folders.

At the moment I have a spare 5Gb HD set up with XP on it and am copying files accross that I want to keep, set up files and the likes.

I cannot run IE or Outlook from the slave drive, or can I is it possible.

Any help most greatfully recieved, I am on the wifes PC at the moment untill I fix mine.

Cheers to all who reply

Andy, the Windows numpty

What, exactly, have you done? Maybe we can help "undo" your doings?

unwell PC
 

first of all I uninstalled Norton Antivirus followed by the rest of norton the suite of products. This left me with the messaage S32EVNT.dll missing along with a bit of other usless garabge that numpty's like me don't understand.

Then I tried to download the missing file, to no avail. Then I downloaded a prog that claimed to be able to fix the problem, this unfortunately really screwed up the PC and here I am.

On boot up I got a whole series of error messages, some to do with my graphics card (ATI drives missing), and various other dll's missing.

The PC would load to windows desktop but not run anything.

Have gon so far with the windows repair but stpped it at the point were it said, about to install windows.

And thats were I ammnow.

Cheers,

Simon.

A bit of a mess I fear.

The Windows Recovery Console should be able to restore everything back to how it was.

Do you have System Restore? Because you could try rolling back to a previous stable state. Theoretically, Norton should have created a new Restore Point just before it started to carry out the uninstall.

If you do not have System Restore then the recovery console should be able to re-install the missing Windows files. Your documents and settings should remain unaffected by doing this. You may lose recent temporary data such as Temporary Internet Files, Recently-access documents list and other temporary files which may cause a few hicups, but nothing to worry about.

sick PC
 

Hi Simon,

have tried to use the restore option but all I get is a blank white screen and the restore function fials to start. I do not have the recovery disk, have also looked at the recover console and quickly looked the other way as I could not see hoe to use this, looked like a load of DOS command prompts.

Is it possible to save my outlook address book without actually starting up outlook, same for IE with regards to the favourites.

Thanks for the patience on this one.

Cheers,

Andy

ah.. I bet you took the 1st recovery option! (Press R for recovery console) ?



restart the computer with the CD in the drive and carry on as if you where going to install a new copy of windows, keep going until you reach the screen when it searches for an existing copy of windows, when it finds it (hopefully) you will then see the option to repair that version by pressing "R" follow the onscreen and that should simply restore all your default settings and leave everything intact as it was.

WARNING!!!! if you do not see an option to repair as outlined above, do NOT carry on as you will lose all data!


You will need also your install key/serial numbers.

Unwell PC
 

Hi BMC123,

Yes initially I did take the first recovery conbsule option, but quickly left it alone as I do not know enough to use it.

I have got to the point were the repair option is now wanting to continue and intall windows, it was at this point I stopped the PC for fear of loosing everything following what I thought was looking like a fresh intsallation of windows.

From what you say this would not be a total reinstallation, and all my setting in IE and oulook express would not be changed and I would not loose my bookmarked favourites in IE or my emails and contact address book.

If this is the case do I simply restart my PC and let the system pick up from where I stopped it.?

A real big thank you, to all who helped on this problem,

Cheers,

Andy

BMC's advice is Correct, but have you tried starting up in Safe Mode? Turn on your computer Press F8 until your option list comes up, then you have options of starting up in Safe Mode and copying anything you want to other Drive. What we are always tellng People is to BACK UP their data, if you dont & your hard drive fails you will loose everything, always back up your files to a DVD/CD disc for safe keeping. Also on the option list it gives you the chance to start up in last known working condition, try that, you can always go back to Safe Mode if it fails. So you do have a number of options B4 having to reinstall Windows, & make sure you have your Windows Licence Number for reload or you will be Stuffed!

Yes, continue to the part where it looks like its about to install again, just after you agree to the licence agreement. but MAKE SURE it has said searching for previous versions and you can see the option to repair in front of you.
everything should stay, but if files have been damaged (for whatever reason) obviously windows will over write them.

I have done that many times before, and the only problems are with xp home as it usually requires re-activation. it will look like it is doing a full install (as it actually is) but dont panic because at the end you will see everything as it was.

Unwell PC
 

Hi John,

Thanks for confirming BMC123 comments, Usually I back up quite regularly but have been so busey and done quite a bit of cleaning out old bits of the HD and downloading new drivers etc, I just havent done my usual job of backing up to CD.

Although I'm reasonably good with PC I am a real numpty when it comes to the workings of windows and what happens during various operations such as the repair option. I always break out into a cold sweat at the thought of loosing everything. Hence my paranoya (never sure how to spell that word), when it comes to things like reinstallation or repair via windows etc.

I will now restart the PC and let it continue with the repair /installation of windows.

I'll let you all know in due course how it ends, either with a smile or tears.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Andy