Unable to Access Data from User Accounts after a System Recovery i

[Seuss]

I had an SHDOCVW.DLL error, tried to repair but finally did system recovery
(I did back up first). All my data is still in documents and settings under
Users. How do I get XP to recognize and access it?

 

[Malke]

I had an SHDOCVW.DLL error, tried to repair but finally did system
recovery
(I did back up first). All my data is still in documents and settings
under
Users. How do I get XP to recognize and access it?

What happens when you try? If you get an error message please quote it
exactly, without paraphrasing. When you say you did a system recovery, do
you mean you did a partial recovery using your computer mftr.'s restore
process? Please explain what you did.

As a guess - If the recovery process created a new user account (perhaps the
generic "Owner") and you are trying to copy the data from your old user
account to it, take ownership of the data:

Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421] -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

How Do I Get the Security tab in Folder Properties? -
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_security_tab.htm

If I've guessed incorrectly, please post back with the answers to my
questions.

Malke

 

[Seuss]

Sorry for lack of info, I am just really frustrated..........as I said all my
info is still there. Yes the recovery is from the manufacturer's original
restore disks.
This is a Compaq Presario, about 4 years old. Compaq and HP include a system
recovery on the restore disks that you can use instead of a complete
re-install.
I put in the original error in their support window and it said if replacing
the
old *.dll with a new one didn't work and it was simply a windows error to do
this.
I queried about what to do after this process to retrive my info. Here's
what
it said:
1. Activate Windows Firewall
2. Update Windows
3. Reboot in safe mode as AdministratorClick Administrator and, if
applicable,
enter the password and press Enter .
4. A window will appear asking you for confirmation of keeping in Safe Mode .
Click Yes .
5. Click Start and My Computer . Then, double-click the main hard drive (
C: )
and Documents and Settings .
6. Right-click the folder name of the user account and click Properties .
7. Click Security .
8. Click Advanced .
9. Click Owner
10. Place a check mark in Replace owner on subcontainers and objects
11. apply, save and exit.

I did this and now have 2 administrators, 2 owners, 2 users and 1 all users.
What have I done wrong, is there a better way to recovermy windows and data
or should I just do a total reload? Thanks Malke!!

I had an SHDOCVW.DLL error, tried to repair but finally did system
recovery
(I did back up first). All my data is still in documents and settings
under
Users. How do I get XP to recognize and access it?

What happens when you try? If you get an error message please quote it
exactly, without paraphrasing. When you say you did a system recovery, do
you mean you did a partial recovery using your computer mftr.'s restore
process? Please explain what you did.

As a guess - If the recovery process created a new user account (perhaps the
generic "Owner") and you are trying to copy the data from your old user
account to it, take ownership of the data:

Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP [Q308421] -
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421

How Do I Get the Security tab in Folder Properties? -
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_security_tab.htm

If I've guessed incorrectly, please post back with the answers to my
questions.

Malke

 

[Malke]

Sorry for lack of info, I am just really frustrated..........as I said all
my
info is still there. Yes the recovery is from the manufacturer's original
restore disks.
This is a Compaq Presario, about 4 years old. Compaq and HP include a
system recovery on the restore disks that you can use instead of a
complete re-install.
I put in the original error in their support window and it said if
replacing the
old *.dll with a new one didn't work and it was simply a windows error to
do this.
I queried about what to do after this process to retrive my info. Here's
what
it said:
1. Activate Windows Firewall
2. Update Windows
3. Reboot in safe mode as AdministratorClick Administrator and, if
applicable,
enter the password and press Enter .
4. A window will appear asking you for confirmation of keeping in Safe
Mode . Click Yes .
5. Click Start and My Computer . Then, double-click the main hard drive (
C: )
and Documents and Settings .
6. Right-click the folder name of the user account and click Properties .
7. Click Security .
8. Click Advanced .
9. Click Owner
10. Place a check mark in Replace owner on subcontainers and objects
11. apply, save and exit.

I did this and now have 2 administrators, 2 owners, 2 users and 1 all
users. What have I done wrong, is there a better way to recovermy windows
and data
or should I just do a total reload? Thanks Malke!!

Frankly, I would back up the data and do a full destructive restore to take
the machine back to factory condition. It sounds as though it is in rather
a messed up state. However, you must understand that I can't see your
computer so am giving you an educated guess. If you want to be sure, take
your computer to a professional tech (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type
of place) and have them take a look.

Malke

 

[Seuss]

Thanks, Malke....................that's where I'm at also and so does the
professional--after reaming me oout about using Manufacturer's recovery and
not chcking the Windows site first. I know stupid. Thanks again.

 

[Malke]

Thanks, Malke....................that's where I'm at also and so does the
professional--after reaming me oout about using Manufacturer's recovery
and
not chcking the Windows site first. I know stupid. Thanks again.

Thanks for updating the thread.

Malke

 

[Seuss]

OK....primal sceam, part 2:

Did a complete format, no problems. Re-installed windowsXP, no problems.
Re-installed pctools spyware doctor and firewall (includes virus protection),
no problems. Got evrything the way I like it--then did a re-boot after
Registry Mechanic installed and updated and got this:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<WINDOWS root>system32\hal.dll

Please re-install a copy of the above file.

HELP!!!

 

[Malke]

OK....primal sceam, part 2:

Did a complete format, no problems. Re-installed windowsXP, no problems.
Re-installed pctools spyware doctor and firewall (includes virus
protection),
no problems. Got evrything the way I like it--then did a re-boot after
Registry Mechanic installed and updated and got this:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<WINDOWS root>system32\hal.dll

Sounds like Registry Mechanic hosed your startup.

1. Follow these instructions to fix the startup error:

Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead of
Setup, take the immediate R for Repair. Assume any password requested is
blank unless you assigned a password to the built-in Administrator account.
When you get the command prompt, type:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\boot.ini [enter]
DEL C:\boot.ini [enter]
to delete the bad one
BootCfg /Rebuild [enter]
to search for Windows installations and make a new one

Exit the Recovery Console and boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly as the
computer is starting). Try and uninstall Registry Mechanic in Safe Mode. If
it won't uninstall in Safe Mode, stop all its services and remove it from
Startup.

Start>Run>services.msc [OK] (if there are any Registry Mechanic services,
set them to Disabled)

Then:
Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Hopefully you will then be able to go into Regular Mode and uninstall
Registry Mechanic.

Once you get Registry Mechanic uninstalled and the system working correctly,
do *not* reinstall it. Stay away from "registry fixers" as they are at best
snake oil and at worst will hose Windows (as you have already found out the
hard way). Read this thread for more detail:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 - registry cleaner thread

Malke

 

[Seuss]

Thank You! I will print this out tomorrow (Sunday) at my husband's school and
then implement it tomorrow evening. Will let you know--of course!

OK....primal sceam, part 2:

Did a complete format, no problems. Re-installed windowsXP, no problems.
Re-installed pctools spyware doctor and firewall (includes virus
protection),
no problems. Got evrything the way I like it--then did a re-boot after
Registry Mechanic installed and updated and got this:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<WINDOWS root>system32\hal.dll

Sounds like Registry Mechanic hosed your startup.

1. Follow these instructions to fix the startup error:

Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead of
Setup, take the immediate R for Repair. Assume any password requested is
blank unless you assigned a password to the built-in Administrator account.
When you get the command prompt, type:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\boot.ini [enter]
DEL C:\boot.ini [enter]
to delete the bad one
BootCfg /Rebuild [enter]
to search for Windows installations and make a new one

Exit the Recovery Console and boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly as the
computer is starting). Try and uninstall Registry Mechanic in Safe Mode. If
it won't uninstall in Safe Mode, stop all its services and remove it from
Startup.

Start>Run>services.msc [OK] (if there are any Registry Mechanic services,
set them to Disabled)

Then:
Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Hopefully you will then be able to go into Regular Mode and uninstall
Registry Mechanic.

Once you get Registry Mechanic uninstalled and the system working correctly,
do *not* reinstall it. Stay away from "registry fixers" as they are at best
snake oil and at worst will hose Windows (as you have already found out the
hard way). Read this thread for more detail:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 - registry cleaner thread

Malke

 

[Seuss]

I did what you suggested and everything seemed to work ok. But somewhere on
my harddrive must be a software issue that causes problems because within an
hour got the same new error message, I pressed enter by mistake and it booted
into windows but not the desktop that I had previously and there was nothing
in start or anywhere else just my computer, ie, recylcle bin.

I was just going to Fdisk and start over, but HP's restore disks (where my
XP is) automatically partitions the drive and I really don't know how to
proceed.

OK....primal sceam, part 2:

Did a complete format, no problems. Re-installed windowsXP, no problems.
Re-installed pctools spyware doctor and firewall (includes virus
protection),
no problems. Got evrything the way I like it--then did a re-boot after
Registry Mechanic installed and updated and got this:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

<WINDOWS root>system32\hal.dll

Sounds like Registry Mechanic hosed your startup.

1. Follow these instructions to fix the startup error:

Set the BIOS to boot CD before Hard Disk. Boot the XP CD and, instead of
Setup, take the immediate R for Repair. Assume any password requested is
blank unless you assigned a password to the built-in Administrator account.
When you get the command prompt, type:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\boot.ini [enter]
DEL C:\boot.ini [enter]
to delete the bad one
BootCfg /Rebuild [enter]
to search for Windows installations and make a new one

Exit the Recovery Console and boot into Safe Mode (tap F8 repeatedly as the
computer is starting). Try and uninstall Registry Mechanic in Safe Mode. If
it won't uninstall in Safe Mode, stop all its services and remove it from
Startup.

Start>Run>services.msc [OK] (if there are any Registry Mechanic services,
set them to Disabled)

Then:
Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and
find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK
out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll
get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in
effect, "don't bother me about this again".

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Hopefully you will then be able to go into Regular Mode and uninstall
Registry Mechanic.

Once you get Registry Mechanic uninstalled and the system working correctly,
do *not* reinstall it. Stay away from "registry fixers" as they are at best
snake oil and at worst will hose Windows (as you have already found out the
hard way). Read this thread for more detail:

http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=28099 - registry cleaner thread

Malke

 

[Malke]

I did what you suggested and everything seemed to work ok. But somewhere
on my harddrive must be a software issue that causes problems because
within an hour got the same new error message, I pressed enter by mistake
and it booted into windows but not the desktop that I had previously and
there was nothing in start or anywhere else just my computer, ie, recylcle
bin.

I was just going to Fdisk and start over, but HP's restore disks (where my
XP is) automatically partitions the drive and I really don't know how to
proceed.

Fdisk is a DOS utility. You don't want to use it for an XP system. If all
your data is safely on external media, restore your computer to factory
condition. Do a full destructive restore and start over. Afterwards
uninstall obsolete/unwanted/trial software. Update to Service Pack 3 if the
restore doesn't include it. Do all subsequent Windows Updates. Install a
good antivirus such as NOD32 (commercial) or Avast (free). Do not install
any registry cleaners again.

To invoke HP's recovery process, press F10 as the computer is starting up.
You want the advanced option to do the full destructive recovery. If you
destroyed the recovery partition that holds the factory image, boot with
Disk 1 of the HP recovery disk set you made when you first got the
computer. If you neglected to make the recovery disk set, call HP and order
one. They generally cost around $20.

Malke

 

[Seuss]

No!! I did not touch the partitions--I was too suicidal at the time and like
I said I do not know anything about partitions so I don't do dumb things like
keep going after I come to something I don't get.
Alright will do the destructive recovery and let you know. So this process
will clear up whatever is happening (hopefully?) BTW I have PC Tools Spyware
Doctor which now has the virus, malware, spyware, etc all in one plus I have
their free firewall. And HP's recovery disks cost 29$, I bought them when
the shdocvw.dll went missing. Thank You!

 

[Seuss]

Malke--Thank you, everything went smoothly. Just a few issues:

SP3 tried to install but when it tried to install this
“C;\windows\system32\HFXEB.TMPâ€
I got a high alert for a trojan -- "Trojan.TDSServ"

I sent a report to Microsoft and got a reply which seems to blame my PC
Tools Spyware Doctor for this problem which I don't get.

Although I have a gig of RAM, I barely have 566 MBs physical memory.

Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 566.13 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.39 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

There are 39! processes running, problem is I never know what I need and
what I can turn off, other than "Apple Device Help". Do you have any
suggestion?

 

[Malke]

Malke--Thank you, everything went smoothly. Just a few issues:

SP3 tried to install but when it tried to install this
?C;\windows\system32\HFXEB.TMP?
I got a high alert for a trojan -- "Trojan.TDSServ"

I sent a report to Microsoft and got a reply which seems to blame my PC
Tools Spyware Doctor for this problem which I don't get.

Although I have a gig of RAM, I barely have 566 MBs physical memory.

Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 566.13 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.39 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

There are 39! processes running, problem is I never know what I need and
what I can turn off, other than "Apple Device Help".

I'm very sorry but without being able to see your computer, all I can
suggest is that you have a competent local computer tech take a look. This
will not be someone from a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place.

I've restored many, many HP computers and installed SP3 and have never had a
"high alert for a trojan". "High alert" from what program? What did you
install afterwards that could be malware? Or possibly whatever gave you the
"high alert" has a false positive.

I always uninstall Spyware Doctor. It's useless. However, it comes standard
preinstalled on most HPs and I've never had it flagged as a trojan.

If you have 1GB of RAM, where are you seeing 566MBs? That's a weird number
anyway.

I'm sorry but I can't accurately guess at your computer's state without
seeing it. I really do think you would be best served by having a tech take
a look since you have already spent so much time on this.

I'm sorry that I was unable to help you.

Malke

 

[Seuss]

Hey, no worries! You've been amazing. Thank you.