Is reinstall the only option?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nigel Andrews
  • Start date Start date
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Nigel Andrews

I have a freind who has some major problems with XP Home after uninstalling
a games program.

The biggest is that vurtually no programs will run! Even a .exe file will
not run, with the error that it doesn't know what application the .exe
asscociated with! I am assuming one or a number of Windows files have been
deleted by mstake and one of these maybe be at least key to every .exe file
running If I can find what this is and replace it then I maybe be able to
get the thing running without reinstalling.
If I can find the XPHome CD will that automatically check for basic system
files without needing to reinstall?

The only things that seem to run are My Computer and (in a DOS window)
chkdsk. The desktop appears but most of the icons have become IExplorer
icons! The Start menu works but there is no fly out menu of Programs.

Thanks

Nigel
 
Try reinstalling the games program and then remove using the Add/Remove
function in the Control Panel.
 
Nigel,
I think Wesley has given you the correct solution; however, I would
suggest that your friend also run the System File Checker to ensure that
all necessary Operating System Files are present in a usable condition.
To do that: Start/Run/type "sfc /scannow" [less quote marks], and click "OK"
Gene K
 
Have you tried running System Restore? Here's a site with some
info on the procedure:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306084

Since you're able to open a command prompt window, here's the
instructions on how to launch System Restore from the command
line:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

It sounds as if you're planning on running System File Checker.
Sometimes you can run sfc without needing the CD. Windows uses
files that are already backed up on the PC. I think it's
C:\Windows\ServicePackFiles\I386. To start the procedure, open a
command prompt window, type sfc /scannow and hit enter. You might
want to take a look here for more info:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747

If none of the above helps, then it may be time to try a repair
install. Here's a site that outlines that process:

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

From what you've described this may not be possible but I'd
suggest trying to back up whatever files your friend can't afford
to lose.

Good luck.
 
Many thanks to all who responded, very quick.

Unforunately my friend has already used System restore and maybe missused
it, so agravating the situation!
I will follow all you suggestions

Nigel
 
The solution offered here, which involved running sfc /scannow, failed with
the error "Windows file protection could not initialise a scan of protected
system files. Specified error code 0x000006BA (The RPC server is
unavailable)" this was running in Safe mode with DOS, the only way I could
get a DOS window.
However I had an XP Home CD and ran the XP Repair install which has
substantially restored the system as it was and some programs and basic
utilities now run. With a little more tidying I should have it back to
normal.

Thanks for the help.

Nigel
 
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