Windows uninstalled itself!

[Adrian Bailey]

Don't know how (though I'm sure someone will tell me), but when I
switched the PC on yesterday I found that Windows 2000 wouldn't start
up because it's uninstalled. What's the best way to undo or reinstall
without losing data? I'm sure there must be how-to websites and I'd be
grateful if you'd point me in the right direction. Thanks

Adrian

 

[Gerry Voras]

I doubt it uninstalled, but it may be broken or corrupted. What exactly are
the symptoms you are experiencing?

 

[George Hester]

No such thing but it is a braintwister eh?

 

[Adrian Bailey]

I doubt it uninstalled, but it may be broken or corrupted. What exactly are
the symptoms you are experiencing?

When I switch on, a message says the required files are damaged or
missing and I should try repairing them. When I try to repair them
using the Win2K disk, a message says Windows cannot be found! A
directory call at the C:\winnt prompt reveals a lot of items with
"uninstall" next to their names plus a number, and there are log files
with the same numbers.

Adrian

 

[Gerry Voras]

The Unistall directories are the files that will be needed if you ever
needed to uninstall something you've previously installed (like Office).
Not related to the issue at hand.

I'd say that the issue is that your boot sector has been screwed up. If you
can start Win2k well enough to get to safe mode command prompt, then you
might be able to try the commands "fixboot" and "fixmbr".