DESPERATE!!!

[Lori]

I did some "maintenance" using an anti-spyware, etc., software which found
errors in the registry so I allowed it to "fix" them. Now I am fatally
excepted from entering my OS, Windows XP Home, Service Pack 2.

I tried to reload my OS via the Dell disk that came with it and I get to the
point where it tells me that certain devices haven't been authenticated with
a Windows logo, do I want to install them. I've tried both ways and each
way, it freezes the mouse and any further installation of the software.

I am desperate to get my computer back as I use it for work and am seriously
desperate for suggestions at this point. Can someone offer any help, please?

Thank you.

 

[neil]

Hi,
So can't you windows at all, safemode or normal mode.?

Does it give any indication which devices won't load. Is this a desktop or
laptop & do you have any extras plugged in.
Neil

 

[Bill in Co.]

If she could get into Safe Mode at least, maybe she could run System
Restore, and get back to an earlier system restore point.

 

[neil]

Yes I thought that but if the Dell restore disk has been used and not
completed the install then the system may not boot at all.
Neil

 

[Lori]

Neil,
I am at a stage now where the ONLY thing I can do is boot into the middle of
an install and I'm at 34 minutes and a box comes up saying there is hardware
for which software is trying to be installed but it's not verified with a
Windows Logo. Do I want to continue. It just freezes my mouse at that point
and I can't proceed at all. If I reboot again and again, the same thing
happens. I can't get into anything other than an incomplete install. I'm
absolutely crazy.

I called Dell and they will give me support; however, the tech told me my
system is marked "red" which means according to them, it was lost in Dell
(whatever that means). He said it's not my problem because he sees I called
four years ago with an issue and am the titled owner of the computer, but
until they clear this up with a dept. that isn't in on the weekends, he can't
go forward with the tech. support. So imagine how frustrating this is for me!

I just don't think there is anywhere to go from here but to the dock and
throw this "boat anchor" back into its rightful home. I have things on this
hard drive which are essential to still have, but I can't see any way out of
this one.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. As I say, running Windows XP Home,
Service Pack 2. Computer has run perfectly till now and I maintain it like
it's a rare diamond. Thanks to Super Antivirus software, it seems it's
useless from now on.

 

[neil]

So it doesn't tell you what hardware, is that correct.

When you started the install procedure did you select "repair install" or
something to suggest you weren't going to format the hard drive and lose all
your data.?

Have you unplugged all unnecessary hardware.?
Neil

 

[Lori]

Neil,
It is for a USB Host Controller. It freezes, though, before I can even
choose Yes or No to going ahead with the software for it.

I did choose to repair the OS, not fully install it, otherwise I would have
had to choose a drive to install it into which asks for which one and to
partition, etc. I didn't want to totally install a new OS, just repair this
one.

 

[neil]

Can you get into the bios and disable the USB controller.
Neil

 

[neil]

If you have some really important data on the PC then you might want to try
accessing it using a boot CD.
Try knoppix, you'll need to select "English" on the webpage because the
default is German.
http://www.knoppix.org/

This should explain how to use knoppix if you are not sure.
http://www.shockfamily.net/cedric/knoppix/
looks like this guy went to a lot of trouble to create the info, more than I
could remember in a reply on this NG.
Neil