How to fix XP after screwup

[Guest]

I'm exceptionally embarrased to ask this question

I was given a piece of software (demo) from a buddy that I tried to install on my home XP machine. I didn't KNOW that the software was designed for MS Server. Needless to say, it only got a bit into the installation before asking for odd things. I cancelled... but my XP home hasn't been the same
When I startup I frequently get errors that "generic host process" has had to shutdown. My soundcard is no longer working properly. Winamp will play, but games and iTunes or Media player will not. My internet 'hangs' frequently, and sometimes things just start collapsing
I know I made a really dumb mistake that's much more 'newbie' than I truly am; I'm not looking for judgement, but some helpful advice to see if there's an option to get my computer back to normal without reinstalling XP
Please email !!
jonrpatrick

 

[Ferris]

no big deal...hope you get it straightened out...

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:

Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[Melissa]

I'm exceptionally embarrased to ask this question.

I was given a piece of software (demo) from a buddy that I tried to install on my home XP machine. I didn't KNOW that the software was designed for MS Server. Needless to say, it only got a bit into the installation before asking for odd things. I cancelled... but my XP home hasn't been the same.
When I startup I frequently get errors that "generic host process" has had to shutdown. My soundcard is no longer working properly. Winamp will play, but games and iTunes or Media player will not. My internet 'hangs' frequently, and sometimes things just start collapsing.
I know I made a really dumb mistake that's much more 'newbie' than I truly am; I'm not looking for judgement, but some helpful advice to see if there's an option to get my computer back to normal without reinstalling XP.
Please email !!!
jonrpatrick

If you have the XP CD, you could try a repair install.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Alex Nichol]

I was given a piece of software (demo) from a buddy that I tried to install on my home XP machine. I didn't KNOW that the software was designed for MS Server. Needless to say, it only got a bit into the installation before asking for odd things. I cancelled... but my XP home hasn't been the same.
When I startup I frequently get errors that "generic host process" has had to shutdown. My soundcard is no longer working properly. Winamp will play, but games and iTunes or Media player will not. My internet 'hangs' frequently, and sometimes things just start collapsing.
I know I made a really dumb mistake that's much more 'newbie' than I truly am; I'm not looking for judgement, but some helpful advice to see if there's an option to get my computer back to normal without reinstalling XP.

I suggest for this you might get away with Start - Run
SFC /SCANNOW
to refresh system files that have been corrupted. But it may not be
fully successful. In that case the course is a 'repair reinstall' - Set
the BIOS to boot CD before Hard disk, then boot the XP CD, start Setup
(do not take 'Repair' at this stage), then after the license agreement
take 'Repair Installation'. This will retain your existing software
installations and most settings. But Updates will have to be run again,
especially SP1 (unless your CD includes it). It is important to
activate the basic XP Firewall before you ever connect to the net to
get the patches, so as to be protected against things like the BLAST
worm.

Always back up essential data before doing any major system operation
like this, if you are still in a position to do so