QUESTION: My computer won't open Help and Support or System Restore, also, some of the icons in my desktop (MSN Messenger, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Norton SystemWorks) appear like a window or a paper and a window. When I click properties, it doesn't gives me the option to chose my desktop or sceensaver or anything else. And also, it restarts suddenly and a blue screen appears.
Kenneth
ANSWER: Kenneth, it certainly sounds serious. First thing I would suggest is to try and let Windows repair itself. You need to have the correct Windows XP CD to do this. I mention this because most home users have the CD that came with their PC, but have since updated to Service Pack 2. So, if you have the correct CD, go to Start; Run and type 'cmd'. Hit Enter. This will bring up a DOS box. From there, type 'sfc /scannow'. That will start the System File Checker. If it finds a Windows file that is not 'correct' you will be asked to insert your XP CD. That's where havening the correct CD comes in. Let that scan run. It will take about 20 minutes and just might solve your problems.
If not, I'd suggest a repair install. Again, you need the correct SP2 CD. (If you only have the SP1 CD, you can make a SP2 CD with a little free application called nLite for here: http://www.nliteos.com/) If you go ahead with the repair with the wrong CD, you'll have to do the SP2 upgrade all over again....
To perform a Repair Install:
1. Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS so the CD boots before the hard drive. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order.
2. When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below:
<>This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer:
To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
3. Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.
Do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you do not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R".
4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.
5. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair.
Warning!! If the Repair Option is not Available
If the option to Repair Install is NOT available and you continue with the install; you will delete your Windows folder, Documents and Settings folders. All Applications that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed.
You should exit setup if the repair option is not available and consider other options. I have found if the Repair option is not available, XP is usually not repairable and will require a Clean Install. If you still have the ability to access the Windows XP installation, backup all important files not restorable from other sources before attempting any recovery console trouble shooting attempts.
6. Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.
7. Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP installation.
Nerds On Site Support Team and Globetechnology.com
