Cannot run progs or hard drive

[Guest]

Hi,
Except in SAFE mode, I can't run any progs on my PC (Dell P4 Dimension
3500). When I dblclick on any icon, the hourglass appears for about 10 secs
then disappears. I've booted up in safe mode (and run Microsoft Spyware and
AVG antivirus progs, both of which give me a clean bill of health) and
uninstalled all downloaded games etc. I've run the Dell Hard Drive
Diagnostics (OK). I've tried the Windows XP Recovery Disk but although it is
recognised by the CD-ROM drive (which sounds like it is operating normally)
it will not run the disk. The disk will not run in safe mode because it
contains SP1 (and my PC has SP2 on-board). What is the next move? How do I do
a fresh install ?(I've tried booting up with the XP Recovery CD-ROM already
inserted, but the disk does not run). Is the next step to reinstall the
drivers? What if that disk is also not recognised? My machine is only about 6
months old and as the hardware is OK, Dell have indicated that it will cost
money to contact software support for advice! Obviously I don't want to go
down that route. How do I do a fresh install in safe mode (or normal)?
Incidentally, I can open files and folders (so I have backed up any important
data). I have tried System Restore in safe mode, but it tells me that it is
unable to complete this task (after about 5 mins). The only thing I recently
installed was Zone Alarm Pro with web filtering - I have checked its settings
(which seem OK, and the trouble has only gradually developed after it was
installed). Another observation - shortly before it all went belly-up, the PC
began to display "dll.error Win 32" (or something like that!!) messages on
booting up. In my wisdom (!) I simply closed these messages down on booting
up. Finally, when I ask the PC to "shut down" or "restart", it takes 2-3
ttempts before it finally decides to close down/restart.
I would really appreciate it if anyone could explain what's going on, how I
can get my PC back(!) or if I need to buy a commercially-available package
(Norton System Works) to both fix this error and to provide regular
background maintenance in the future........
Many thanks!

 

[Rich Barry]

I don't know if Dell provides you with a WinXP CD. If you do have one
set the cdrom drive as first boot device in Bios
and try a Repair Install first.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[John]

Hi,
Except in SAFE mode, I can't run any progs on my PC (Dell P4 Dimension
3500). When I dblclick on any icon, the hourglass appears for about 10 secs
then disappears. I've booted up in safe mode (and run Microsoft Spyware and
AVG antivirus progs, both of which give me a clean bill of health) and
uninstalled all downloaded games etc. I've run the Dell Hard Drive
Diagnostics (OK). I've tried the Windows XP Recovery Disk but although it is
recognised by the CD-ROM drive (which sounds like it is operating normally)
it will not run the disk. The disk will not run in safe mode because it
contains SP1 (and my PC has SP2 on-board). What is the next move? How do I do
a fresh install ?(I've tried booting up with the XP Recovery CD-ROM already
inserted, but the disk does not run). Is the next step to reinstall the
drivers? What if that disk is also not recognised? My machine is only about 6
months old and as the hardware is OK, Dell have indicated that it will cost
money to contact software support for advice! Obviously I don't want to go
down that route. How do I do a fresh install in safe mode (or normal)?
Incidentally, I can open files and folders (so I have backed up any important
data). I have tried System Restore in safe mode, but it tells me that it is
unable to complete this task (after about 5 mins). The only thing I recently
installed was Zone Alarm Pro with web filtering - I have checked its settings
(which seem OK, and the trouble has only gradually developed after it was
installed). Another observation - shortly before it all went belly-up, the PC
began to display "dll.error Win 32" (or something like that!!) messages on
booting up. In my wisdom (!) I simply closed these messages down on booting
up. Finally, when I ask the PC to "shut down" or "restart", it takes 2-3
ttempts before it finally decides to close down/restart.
I would really appreciate it if anyone could explain what's going on, how I
can get my PC back(!) or if I need to buy a commercially-available package
(Norton System Works) to both fix this error and to provide regular
background maintenance in the future........
Many thanks!

Have you tried system restore to a prior date when the computer was
running correctly?

Start/Programs/Accessories/Syystem Tools/System Restore

Or have you tried un-installing Zone Alarm?

If you still want to re-install XP then your best bet is to un-install
sp2 if you can, safe mode might be best in your case.

What do you mean the XP CD (or restore CD, not sure what you have) will
not run in safe mode? You can't install Windows while running in
Windows, you have to boot from the XP CD.

John

 

[John]

Hi,
Except in SAFE mode, I can't run any progs on my PC (Dell P4 Dimension
3500). When I dblclick on any icon, the hourglass appears for about 10 secs
then disappears. I've booted up in safe mode (and run Microsoft Spyware and
AVG antivirus progs, both of which give me a clean bill of health) and
uninstalled all downloaded games etc. I've run the Dell Hard Drive
Diagnostics (OK). I've tried the Windows XP Recovery Disk but although it is
recognised by the CD-ROM drive (which sounds like it is operating normally)
it will not run the disk. The disk will not run in safe mode because it
contains SP1 (and my PC has SP2 on-board). What is the next move? How do I do
a fresh install ?(I've tried booting up with the XP Recovery CD-ROM already
inserted, but the disk does not run

I missed that part. Go into your BIOS and change the boot order. The CD
ROM drive needs to be the first boot device, the hard drive second.
Don't worry if there is no disk in the CD drive then the BIOS will look
to the next device in the chain, your hard drive. If the CD still won't
boot then the CD or CD ROM drive is defective. If you don't know how to
get into your BIOS then check your manual or go here ...

http://www.cyberwalker.net/faqs/reinstall-reformat-winxp/enter-BIOS.html

ps: System Restore should still be tried first.

John

 

[john]

Could be a physical problem with the hard drive, especially if the
drive's making noise. Back it up, then I would try a fresh
install---there are other routes to take, but this is the simplest. If
it still runs slow and stuff, get a new hard drive.

If you need any data recovered, call ESS Data Recovery at 1800 237-4200
for a free estimate. Otherwise, try the backup, a format and a fresh
install and see what happens.