Hi gang,

My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot mode.
Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the following
screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys

You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
original Setup CD-Rom
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"

I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe boot?
Anyone help please?
I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so even
if i lose it all it does not matter......

I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error page
no matter what option I choose.

Thanks for any help

I have XP pro service pack 2

"Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:9345F354-FB4E-4569-BFC7-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi gang,
>
> My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot mode.
> Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
following
> screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
> missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
>
> You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
> original Setup CD-Rom
> Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
>
> I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe boot?
> Anyone help please?
> I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so
even
> if i lose it all it does not matter......
>
> I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
page
> no matter what option I choose.
>
> Thanks for any help
>
> I have XP pro service pack 2

This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
Well done!

To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.

After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.

Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to repair from
the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the command
screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start the
repair..


Thanks!


"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:9345F354-FB4E-4569-BFC7-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Hi gang,
> >
> > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot mode.
> > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
> following
> > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
> > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
> >
> > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
> > original Setup CD-Rom
> > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
> >
> > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe boot?
> > Anyone help please?
> > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so
> even
> > if i lose it all it does not matter......
> >
> > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
> page
> > no matter what option I choose.
> >
> > Thanks for any help
> >
> > I have XP pro service pack 2
>
> This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
> situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
> they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
> Well done!
>
> To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
> to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
> the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
> setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
> message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
> BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
> you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
>
> After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
>
>
>

Sorry I meant that the option I chose was to repair from the Recovery Console.

"Craigie" wrote:

> Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
> instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to repair from
> the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the command
> screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start the
> repair..
>
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:9345F354-FB4E-4569-BFC7-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > Hi gang,
> > >
> > > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot mode.
> > > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
> > following
> > > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
> > > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
> > >
> > > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
> > > original Setup CD-Rom
> > > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
> > >
> > > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe boot?
> > > Anyone help please?
> > > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so
> > even
> > > if i lose it all it does not matter......
> > >
> > > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
> > page
> > > no matter what option I choose.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any help
> > >
> > > I have XP pro service pack 2
> >
> > This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
> > situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
> > they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
> > Well done!
> >
> > To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
> > to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
> > the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
> > setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
> > message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
> > BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
> > you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
> >
> > After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
> >
> >
> >

I think you took a wrong turn: Instead of starting the Repair
process, you got into the Recovery Console. This is probably
not what you want because it requires advanced knowledge
of the inner workings of Windows. Reboot once more, then
select the option that does NOT get you into the Recovery Console.


"Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E8337F8B-6ABE-4A75-8B41-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
> instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to repair
from
> the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the command
> screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start the
> repair..
>
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:9345F354-FB4E-4569-BFC7-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > Hi gang,
> > >
> > > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot
mode.
> > > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
> > following
> > > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
> > > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
> > >
> > > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using
the
> > > original Setup CD-Rom
> > > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
> > >
> > > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe
boot?
> > > Anyone help please?
> > > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway
so
> > even
> > > if i lose it all it does not matter......
> > >
> > > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
> > page
> > > no matter what option I choose.
> > >
> > > Thanks for any help
> > >
> > > I have XP pro service pack 2
> >
> > This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
> > situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
> > they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
> > Well done!
> >
> > To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
> > to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
> > the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
> > setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
> > message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
> > BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
> > you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
> >
> > After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
> >
> >
> >

"Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:E8337F8B-6ABE-4A75-8B41-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
> instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to repair
> from
> the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the command
> screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start the
> repair..
>
>
> Thanks!
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:9345F354-FB4E-4569-BFC7-(E-Mail Removed)...
>> > Hi gang,
>> >
>> > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot
>> > mode.
>> > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
>> following
>> > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
>> > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
>> >
>> > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
>> > original Setup CD-Rom
>> > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
>> >
>> > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe
>> > boot?
>> > Anyone help please?
>> > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so
>> even
>> > if i lose it all it does not matter......
>> >
>> > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
>> page
>> > no matter what option I choose.
>> >
>> > Thanks for any help
>> >
>> > I have XP pro service pack 2
>>
>> This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
>> situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
>> they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
>> Well done!
>>
>> To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
>> to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
>> the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
>> setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
>> message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
>> BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
>> you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
>>
>> After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
>>
>>
>>

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;315341

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

"Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote

> Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
> instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to repair
> from
> the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the command
> screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start the
> repair..

> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>> > Hi gang,
>> >
>> > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot
>> > mode.
>> > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
>> following
>> > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
>> > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
>> >
>> > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
>> > original Setup CD-Rom
>> > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
>> >
>> > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe
>> > boot?
>> > Anyone help please?
>> > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so
>> even
>> > if i lose it all it does not matter......
>> >
>> > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
>> page
>> > no matter what option I choose.
>> >
>> > Thanks for any help
>> >
>> > I have XP pro service pack 2
>>
>> This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
>> situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
>> they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
>> Well done!
>>
>> To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
>> to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
>> the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
>> setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
>> message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
>> BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
>> you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
>>
>> After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.

You could try expanding a new copy of pci.sys from the XP installation CD
from the command prompt in the Recovery Console. That file goes to
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.

Here is a link to a KB article on how to do this from the recovery console.

How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888017/en-us

You may find that after you replace that file and try to boot you'll get a
different message about a missing or corrupt file. You could repeat the
process a few times, but if it continues then the better option would be to
do the repair install that the other posters pointed you to.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice there I got it all sorted out!



"Rock" wrote:

> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>
> > Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
> > instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to repair
> > from
> > the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the command
> > screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start the
> > repair..
>
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> >> > Hi gang,
> >> >
> >> > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot
> >> > mode.
> >> > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
> >> following
> >> > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file is
> >> > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
> >> >
> >> > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using the
> >> > original Setup CD-Rom
> >> > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
> >> >
> >> > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe
> >> > boot?
> >> > Anyone help please?
> >> > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway so
> >> even
> >> > if i lose it all it does not matter......
> >> >
> >> > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above error
> >> page
> >> > no matter what option I choose.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks for any help
> >> >
> >> > I have XP pro service pack 2
> >>
> >> This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
> >> situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
> >> they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
> >> Well done!
> >>
> >> To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
> >> to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
> >> the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
> >> setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
> >> message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
> >> BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
> >> you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
> >>
> >> After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
>
> You could try expanding a new copy of pci.sys from the XP installation CD
> from the command prompt in the Recovery Console. That file goes to
> C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.
>
> Here is a link to a KB article on how to do this from the recovery console.
>
> How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888017/en-us
>
> You may find that after you replace that file and try to boot you'll get a
> different message about a missing or corrupt file. You could repeat the
> process a few times, but if it continues then the better option would be to
> do the repair install that the other posters pointed you to.
>
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
>
> --
> Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]
>
>

Great, what did you do?

"Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> Thanks everyone for the helpful advice there I got it all sorted out!

> "Rock" wrote:
>
>> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>>
>> > Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
>> > instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to
>> > repair
>> > from
>> > the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the
>> > command
>> > screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start
>> > the
>> > repair..
>>
>> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>>
>> >> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
>> >> > Hi gang,
>> >> >
>> >> > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot
>> >> > mode.
>> >> > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
>> >> following
>> >> > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file
>> >> > is
>> >> > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
>> >> >
>> >> > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using
>> >> > the
>> >> > original Setup CD-Rom
>> >> > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
>> >> >
>> >> > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe
>> >> > boot?
>> >> > Anyone help please?
>> >> > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway
>> >> > so
>> >> even
>> >> > if i lose it all it does not matter......
>> >> >
>> >> > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above
>> >> > error
>> >> page
>> >> > no matter what option I choose.
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks for any help
>> >> >
>> >> > I have XP pro service pack 2
>> >>
>> >> This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
>> >> situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
>> >> they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
>> >> Well done!
>> >>
>> >> To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
>> >> to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
>> >> the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
>> >> setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
>> >> message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
>> >> BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
>> >> you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
>> >>
>> >> After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
>>
>> You could try expanding a new copy of pci.sys from the XP installation CD
>> from the command prompt in the Recovery Console. That file goes to
>> C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.
>>
>> Here is a link to a KB article on how to do this from the recovery
>> console.
>>
>> How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888017/en-us
>>
>> You may find that after you replace that file and try to boot you'll get
>> a
>> different message about a missing or corrupt file. You could repeat the
>> process a few times, but if it continues then the better option would be
>> to
>> do the repair install that the other posters pointed you to.
>>
>> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]

Hi,

I ended up reformatting and installing xp again. I had an idea that it might
end up down this road. All the info was really helpful as I would never have
even got past the frozen screen without it. I actually didn't notice that
windows firewall had packed in and I'm convinced I got a nasty virus in.

I was a novice with PC's up till about 6 months ago and got sick of paying
huge amounts of money for guys to come in and fix it so I thought "Hey let's
give it ago". It really shows the value of forums like this as just about
every problem I have had I was able to fix with advice from you guys. I
ALWAYS do a back up to DVD of everything everytime I do anything I think
could be problematic or is out with my scope of ability. So if the worst
comes to the worst, "lets start again"

anyway

Thanks again!!!

"Rock" wrote:

> Great, what did you do?
>
> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> > Thanks everyone for the helpful advice there I got it all sorted out!
>
> > "Rock" wrote:
> >
> >> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> >>
> >> > Wahey! Thanks, got it to boot from the CD as per your very clear
> >> > instructions. pressed "r" button followed the prompts, I chose to
> >> > repair
> >> > from
> >> > the command console, entered the admin password etc and got to the
> >> > command
> >> > screen, problem is that I do not know which command to enter to start
> >> > the
> >> > repair..
> >>
> >> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >>
> >> >> "Craigie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
> >> >> > Hi gang,
> >> >> >
> >> >> > My PC was acting all wierd, so I decided to run Ewido in safe boot
> >> >> > mode.
> >> >> > Problem I am having now is that it will not boot at all now as the
> >> >> following
> >> >> > screen comes up "Windows could not start because the following file
> >> >> > is
> >> >> > missing or corrupt : system32\DRIVERS\pci.sys
> >> >> >
> >> >> > You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows setup using
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > original Setup CD-Rom
> >> >> > Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair"
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I stuck in the CD and nothing happens, is this because I am in safe
> >> >> > boot?
> >> >> > Anyone help please?
> >> >> > I made a back up of all my stuff before I tried the safe boot anyway
> >> >> > so
> >> >> even
> >> >> > if i lose it all it does not matter......
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I hold down F8 while booting but it keeps taking me to the above
> >> >> > error
> >> >> page
> >> >> > no matter what option I choose.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Thanks for any help
> >> >> >
> >> >> > I have XP pro service pack 2
> >> >>
> >> >> This is a refreshing change of tune. Most posters in your
> >> >> situation squeal because they have irreplaceable files which
> >> >> they did not think of backing up until disaster struck.
> >> >> Well done!
> >> >>
> >> >> To start the repair process, you have to instruct the BIOS
> >> >> to use the CD drive as the primary boot device. Reboot
> >> >> the PC, then press the key that gets you into the BIOS
> >> >> setup. It is often the Delete key. Sometimes there is a
> >> >> message on the screen that tells you how to get into the
> >> >> BIOS or what key to press to change the boot order. If
> >> >> you cannot see it, read the manual that came with your PC.
> >> >>
> >> >> After the PC boots from the WinXP CD, follow the prompts.
> >>
> >> You could try expanding a new copy of pci.sys from the XP installation CD
> >> from the command prompt in the Recovery Console. That file goes to
> >> C:\Windows\System32\Drivers.
> >>
> >> Here is a link to a KB article on how to do this from the recovery
> >> console.
> >>
> >> How to expand Windows XP files from the installation disk
> >> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888017/en-us
> >>
> >> You may find that after you replace that file and try to boot you'll get
> >> a
> >> different message about a missing or corrupt file. You could repeat the
> >> process a few times, but if it continues then the better option would be
> >> to
> >> do the repair install that the other posters pointed you to.
> >>
> >> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
>
> --
> Rock [MS-MVP User/Shell]
>
>