CRYPTUI.dll mystery...re-installed WIN XP PRO, problem still persi

[Guest]

At the beginning of the week I received the following error when attempting
to startup my computer.

-------------------------------------------------
Explorer.exe- unable to locate component
-------------------------------------------------
(x) <---RED X

This application failed to start because CRYPTUI.dll was not found.
Re-installing the application may fix this problem.
____________________________________________________________

I posted to this forum, and the very few people that provided suggestions
helped me all they could until each suggested attempt proved unsuccessful.

I finally gave in and decided I had to do a fresh re-install of Win XP Pro.
I purchased an external hard drive and backed up my hard drive while
connected through my brother's computer which is identical to mine. I
reinserted my hard drive back into my tower formatted the hard drive. Then I
installed WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL w/ SERVICE PACK 2.

Everything seemed fine as I entered all the required information and Windows
started. Then I began installing the necessary drivers (from my ABIT CD). I
have an ABIT NF-7 motherboard. Then after installing the drivers, Windows had
to restart. Upon restarting my system....

......the same cryptic message came up as it did before I reinstalled
WINDOWS! The message appears right after the Windows Logo loading screen
finishes and right before the desktop loads.

I have no clue what could possibly be the problem. If anyone has any input,
I'd GREATLY appreciate the help! PLEASE!

-Mike

 

[Guest]

I AM AN IDIOT!

I put my WINDOWS XP CD back in and WINDOWS loaded up! I excitedly prepared
to start reinstalling softwares and realized that there was more free disk
space (230GB) than was supposed to. Fear then struck me. I realized that I
must have formatted and reinstalled WINDOWS on the WRONG hard drive! I should
have unplugged my other drives before reinstalling windows. I assumed that
the installer would have picked up my primary drive though, and not the other
one that it did. My primary drive is on a SATA cable, as is another drive. My
thirs drive is an IDE cable drive....and somehow that's what windows decided
to go with. :-( So, not only did I lose data that I really need....but I
didn't reinstall on the correct drive! That explains why the error still
appeared after the fresh install.

Anyone know if there is ANY POSSIBLE WAY ON EARTH to retreive lost files
once a hard drive has been formatted?

Thanks for the suggestion George.

-Mike

 

[George Schloicka]

Can you install windows without service pack 2? It seems to be something to
do with service pack 2.

 

[Malke]

I AM AN IDIOT!

I put my WINDOWS XP CD back in and WINDOWS loaded up! I excitedly
prepared to start reinstalling softwares and realized that there was
more free disk space (230GB) than was supposed to. Fear then struck
me. I realized that I must have formatted and reinstalled WINDOWS on
the WRONG hard drive! I should have unplugged my other drives before
reinstalling windows. I assumed that the installer would have picked
up my primary drive though, and not the other one that it did. My
primary drive is on a SATA cable, as is another drive. My thirs drive
is an IDE cable drive....and somehow that's what windows decided to go
with. :-( So, not only did I lose data that I really need....but I
didn't reinstall on the correct drive! That explains why the error
still appeared after the fresh install.

Anyone know if there is ANY POSSIBLE WAY ON EARTH to retreive lost
files once a hard drive has been formatted?

Yes, but it will cost you. Stop using the computer *immediately*.
Contact a professional data recovery firm. There are many, but my
preference is for DriveSavers (www.drivesavers.com). Their services are
not inexpensive, but only you can determine the value of your data.

Malke

 

[George Schloicka]

I think it has to do with service pack 2. Is it possible for you to load XP
without service pack 2?

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the suggestion Malke! I'm checking out the website and plan to
call Monday for a free quote.

Do you have a general idea of how much they'd charge for a 250GB hard drive
recovery?

By the way, I resintalled Windows XP on the drive I had originally intended.
Everything is working fine. My problem lied in putting the SATA drivers on a
floppy from my motherboard installation cd, and using the SATA drivers by
pressing F6 when WinXP setup was starting to load an SCSI/RAID.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the suggestion Malke! I'm checking out the website and plan
to call Monday for a free quote.

Do you have a general idea of how much they'd charge for a 250GB hard
drive recovery?

By the way, I resintalled Windows XP on the drive I had originally
intended. Everything is working fine. My problem lied in putting the
SATA drivers on a floppy from my motherboard installation cd, and
using the SATA drivers by pressing F6 when WinXP setup was starting to
load an SCSI/RAID.

If you call DriveSavers, mention that you got their name from Elephant
Boy Computers and they'll give you a discount (IIRC 10%). I have a
reseller's agreement with them, but I must stress that I would not
recommend them (or have an agreement with them) if I didn't think
DriveSavers was wonderful. I have sent clients to them over the years
and in all cases the clients got all their data restored and were
pleased with the results. Their prices usually start at $500 and go up
from there. I can't tell you how much your particular recovery would
cost.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Hey Malke,

I just called and got a free quote from DriveSavers. I mentioned that I
heard about them through a Windows XP Newsgroup Forum. They then mentioned a
discount. The original price randge for my 250GB drive was quoted between
$500-$2700 (depending on how much information can be recovered). Seeing that
I had the drive as a sort of storage drive, it was full with about 230GB, so
I was informed that the price would likely be in the upper range if the drive
were recovered successfully. With the discount, I was quoted as $1500-$2400
for my particular case at the best maximum recovery scenario.
If you'd like, or if you think you'd benefit, I can mention Elephant Boy
Computers the next time I call.

Needless to say, it may take me a couple months to come up with the
extra money.

-Mike

 

[Malke]

Hey Malke,

I just called and got a free quote from DriveSavers. I mentioned
that I
heard about them through a Windows XP Newsgroup Forum. They then
mentioned a discount. The original price randge for my 250GB drive was
quoted between $500-$2700 (depending on how much information can be
recovered). Seeing that I had the drive as a sort of storage drive, it
was full with about 230GB, so I was informed that the price would
likely be in the upper range if the drive were recovered successfully.
With the discount, I was quoted as $1500-$2400 for my particular case
at the best maximum recovery scenario.
If you'd like, or if you think you'd benefit, I can mention
Elephant Boy
Computers the next time I call.

Needless to say, it may take me a couple months to come up with
the
extra money.

Yes, if you call them again I'd like it very much if would tell them you
got their name from me. You might want to call other data recovery
firms for a price comparison. Here are a few links:

Ontrack Data Recovery -
http://www.ontrack.com/

Seagate Data Recovery Services -
http://www.seagate.com/support/service/drs/services.html

I haven't had any personal dealings with Ontrack or Seagate for data
recovery, but those firms are certainly well-known. I wouldn't want you
to think I'm pushing you to DriveSavers because I have a relationship
with them. You need to do what's best for *you*.

Malke