Windows XP Home Edition files missing. Wont let me log in

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I have a problem with the copy of Windows XP Home Edition on my old computer.
I needed to make some space on my HDD so I started deleting some folders form
the Porgram Files folder, uninstalling those that had a uninstaller. I then
used a program called WinCleaner 2002 which basically scans for any Temporary
and Junk files, broken shrotcuts, Internet cookies, Internet temporary files
and startup errors. After it finished scanning I deleted the files that it
found and recognised as junk. About 15 seconds later I got a error message
from the OS saying that some Windows XP Home Edition files were deleted and
that I need to insert my OS CD to reinstall these files, but because I
couldnt find the disk at the time I disregarded this message and proceeded
with my deleting. After about 30min I saw that the recycle bin icon was gone,
as in that it appeared to be hidden and the text underneath it was gone and I
couldnt click on it. Also when I clicked Start the buttons Run, Search and
Help & Support were also gone. I then restarted my PC to see if that would
fix it, but I couldnt even log in: the icon didnt appear. I restarted again
and booted up in Safe Mode and it didnt help. I also booted up with 'the last
working configuration' but that didnt help either. Now my question is: Would
putting the Windows XP CD back in and booting from it help? How do I replace
those deleted files? What would I need to do to solve it and how would I do
that? I do have the CD but dont know what to do with it. Any help greatly
appreciated, thx.
 
Boot the CD and do a repair install. Press the enter key
when the CD loads and select install, then select to install
over the existing installation (repair). See
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q315341&ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341



--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm



|I have a problem with the copy of Windows XP Home Edition
on my old computer.
| I needed to make some space on my HDD so I started
deleting some folders form
| the Porgram Files folder, uninstalling those that had a
uninstaller. I then
| used a program called WinCleaner 2002 which basically
scans for any Temporary
| and Junk files, broken shrotcuts, Internet cookies,
Internet temporary files
| and startup errors. After it finished scanning I deleted
the files that it
| found and recognised as junk. About 15 seconds later I got
a error message
| from the OS saying that some Windows XP Home Edition files
were deleted and
| that I need to insert my OS CD to reinstall these files,
but because I
| couldnt find the disk at the time I disregarded this
message and proceeded
| with my deleting. After about 30min I saw that the recycle
bin icon was gone,
| as in that it appeared to be hidden and the text
underneath it was gone and I
| couldnt click on it. Also when I clicked Start the buttons
Run, Search and
| Help & Support were also gone. I then restarted my PC to
see if that would
| fix it, but I couldnt even log in: the icon didnt appear.
I restarted again
| and booted up in Safe Mode and it didnt help. I also
booted up with 'the last
| working configuration' but that didnt help either. Now my
question is: Would
| putting the Windows XP CD back in and booting from it
help? How do I replace
| those deleted files? What would I need to do to solve it
and how would I do
| that? I do have the CD but dont know what to do with it.
Any help greatly
| appreciated, thx.
 
Yega said:
I have a problem with the copy of Windows XP Home Edition on my old computer.
I needed to make some space on my HDD so I started deleting some folders form
the Porgram Files folder, uninstalling those that had a uninstaller. I then
used a program called WinCleaner 2002 which basically scans for any Temporary
and Junk files, broken shrotcuts, Internet cookies, Internet temporary files
and startup errors. After it finished scanning I deleted the files that it
found and recognised as junk. About 15 seconds later I got a error message
from the OS saying that some Windows XP Home Edition files were deleted and
that I need to insert my OS CD to reinstall these files, but because I
couldnt find the disk at the time I disregarded this message and proceeded
with my deleting. After about 30min I saw that the recycle bin icon was gone,
as in that it appeared to be hidden and the text underneath it was gone and I
couldnt click on it. Also when I clicked Start the buttons Run, Search and
Help & Support were also gone. I then restarted my PC to see if that would
fix it, but I couldnt even log in: the icon didnt appear. I restarted again
and booted up in Safe Mode and it didnt help. I also booted up with 'the last
working configuration' but that didnt help either. Now my question is: Would
putting the Windows XP CD back in and booting from it help? How do I replace
those deleted files? What would I need to do to solve it and how would I do
that? I do have the CD but dont know what to do with it. Any help greatly
appreciated, thx.
Click to expand...

In safe mode try a system restore to before you started the cleanup. If
that doesn't work do a repair install:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
 
When I boot from CD I choose 'R' which is the repair install instead of
'ENTER' which is the clean install, right? Because I still want my files to
stay on the computer, I just want to reinstall Windows XP. Also, because
sometimes for some reason the repair option is not available, I would like to
back up my files. Is it possible to boot from CD and go into command prompt
and go into the C:\ directory and copy my files onto my USB pen drive?
Because I realy want to keep the files in 'My Documents' realy, as there are
no very important applications on there. Thx for your help.
 
I tried going into safe mode, but the icon with my name doesnt appread so I
cant actualy log onto my computer. All I can see is the Windows XP icon as if
its loading but it doesnt actualy get anywhere.
 
The "r" is the recovery console. To do a repair install,
press "enter" and then select to install. It will detect
the current installation and you select to install on top,
which performs a "repair install."


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm



| When I boot from CD I choose 'R' which is the repair
install instead of
| 'ENTER' which is the clean install, right? Because I still
want my files to
| stay on the computer, I just want to reinstall Windows XP.
Also, because
| sometimes for some reason the repair option is not
available, I would like to
| back up my files. Is it possible to boot from CD and go
into command prompt
| and go into the C:\ directory and copy my files onto my
USB pen drive?
| Because I realy want to keep the files in 'My Documents'
realy, as there are
| no very important applications on there. Thx for your
help.
|
| "Yega" wrote:
|
| > I have a problem with the copy of Windows XP Home
Edition on my old computer.
| > I needed to make some space on my HDD so I started
deleting some folders form
| > the Porgram Files folder, uninstalling those that had a
uninstaller. I then
| > used a program called WinCleaner 2002 which basically
scans for any Temporary
| > and Junk files, broken shrotcuts, Internet cookies,
Internet temporary files
| > and startup errors. After it finished scanning I deleted
the files that it
| > found and recognised as junk. About 15 seconds later I
got a error message
| > from the OS saying that some Windows XP Home Edition
files were deleted and
| > that I need to insert my OS CD to reinstall these files,
but because I
| > couldnt find the disk at the time I disregarded this
message and proceeded
| > with my deleting. After about 30min I saw that the
recycle bin icon was gone,
| > as in that it appeared to be hidden and the text
underneath it was gone and I
| > couldnt click on it. Also when I clicked Start the
buttons Run, Search and
| > Help & Support were also gone. I then restarted my PC to
see if that would
| > fix it, but I couldnt even log in: the icon didnt
appear. I restarted again
| > and booted up in Safe Mode and it didnt help. I also
booted up with 'the last
| > working configuration' but that didnt help either. Now
my question is: Would
| > putting the Windows XP CD back in and booting from it
help? How do I replace
| > those deleted files? What would I need to do to solve it
and how would I do
| > that? I do have the CD but dont know what to do with it.
Any help greatly
| > appreciated, thx.
 
Ah, so its basically as if I was installing XP again but it should detect
that I have a copy of it already installed and it just just install on top of
the other one? Its like installing it on a new PC right? If I do this, will I
have my files left as they were on the computer: my documents and
applications? Thx for your help btw.
 
Yega said:
Ah, so its basically as if I was installing XP again but it should detect
that I have a copy of it already installed and it just just install on top of
the other one? Its like installing it on a new PC right? If I do this, will I
have my files left as they were on the computer: my documents and
applications? Thx for your help btw.
Click to expand...

<snip>

Yes a repair install should save installed programs and data, however
there is always a chance of data loss. You should always have a full
and complete backup. If you don't consider, before doing the repair
install, to slave the drive in another XP computer and copy important
data.

All the information on how to do a repair install is in that link I
already gave you: http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

In the future consider getting a drive imaging program to save an image
of the hard drive to external media such as DVD or an external USB hard
drive. Programs of this type include Norton Ghost, Acronis True Image,
and Terabyte Unlimited's Image for Windows and BootIt NG.
 
Ok thx. I'll give it a go. Is it possible to get into the command prompt
using the XP CD, so that I can use the copy command and copy the files on my
USB pen drive?
 
Personal files and settings should be retained, but as
always, accidents can happen so backup critical data files
and write down your settings so you can recover from a crash
during the process.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm



| Ah, so its basically as if I was installing XP again but
it should detect
| that I have a copy of it already installed and it just
just install on top of
| the other one? Its like installing it on a new PC right?
If I do this, will I
| have my files left as they were on the computer: my
documents and
| applications? Thx for your help btw.
|
| "Yega" wrote:
|
| > When I boot from CD I choose 'R' which is the repair
install instead of
| > 'ENTER' which is the clean install, right? Because I
still want my files to
| > stay on the computer, I just want to reinstall Windows
XP. Also, because
| > sometimes for some reason the repair option is not
available, I would like to
| > back up my files. Is it possible to boot from CD and go
into command prompt
| > and go into the C:\ directory and copy my files onto my
USB pen drive?
| > Because I realy want to keep the files in 'My Documents'
realy, as there are
| > no very important applications on there. Thx for your
help.
| >
| > "Yega" wrote:
| >
| > > I have a problem with the copy of Windows XP Home
Edition on my old computer.
| > > I needed to make some space on my HDD so I started
deleting some folders form
| > > the Porgram Files folder, uninstalling those that had
a uninstaller. I then
| > > used a program called WinCleaner 2002 which basically
scans for any Temporary
| > > and Junk files, broken shrotcuts, Internet cookies,
Internet temporary files
| > > and startup errors. After it finished scanning I
deleted the files that it
| > > found and recognised as junk. About 15 seconds later I
got a error message
| > > from the OS saying that some Windows XP Home Edition
files were deleted and
| > > that I need to insert my OS CD to reinstall these
files, but because I
| > > couldnt find the disk at the time I disregarded this
message and proceeded
| > > with my deleting. After about 30min I saw that the
recycle bin icon was gone,
| > > as in that it appeared to be hidden and the text
underneath it was gone and I
| > > couldnt click on it. Also when I clicked Start the
buttons Run, Search and
| > > Help & Support were also gone. I then restarted my PC
to see if that would
| > > fix it, but I couldnt even log in: the icon didnt
appear. I restarted again
| > > and booted up in Safe Mode and it didnt help. I also
booted up with 'the last
| > > working configuration' but that didnt help either. Now
my question is: Would
| > > putting the Windows XP CD back in and booting from it
help? How do I replace
| > > those deleted files? What would I need to do to solve
it and how would I do
| > > that? I do have the CD but dont know what to do with
it. Any help greatly
| > > appreciated, thx.
 
The "r" option is the recovery console, which is the command
prompt. You can copy files and even run the system file
check which might even fix your problem. It may ask for the
Administrator password, which if none has been set just
means you tab over the field and press enter.
To see a list of supported commands type help /? to see the
switches for a command type the command followed by a space,
/ and ? as this... sfc /? to see system file check
switches.


--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm



| Ok thx. I'll give it a go. Is it possible to get into the
command prompt
| using the XP CD, so that I can use the copy command and
copy the files on my
| USB pen drive?
|
| "Yega" wrote:
|
| > Ah, so its basically as if I was installing XP again but
it should detect
| > that I have a copy of it already installed and it just
just install on top of
| > the other one? Its like installing it on a new PC right?
If I do this, will I
| > have my files left as they were on the computer: my
documents and
| > applications? Thx for your help btw.
| >
| > "Yega" wrote:
| >
| > > When I boot from CD I choose 'R' which is the repair
install instead of
| > > 'ENTER' which is the clean install, right? Because I
still want my files to
| > > stay on the computer, I just want to reinstall Windows
XP. Also, because
| > > sometimes for some reason the repair option is not
available, I would like to
| > > back up my files. Is it possible to boot from CD and
go into command prompt
| > > and go into the C:\ directory and copy my files onto
my USB pen drive?
| > > Because I realy want to keep the files in 'My
Documents' realy, as there are
| > > no very important applications on there. Thx for your
help.
| > >
| > > "Yega" wrote:
| > >
| > > > I have a problem with the copy of Windows XP Home
Edition on my old computer.
| > > > I needed to make some space on my HDD so I started
deleting some folders form
| > > > the Porgram Files folder, uninstalling those that
had a uninstaller. I then
| > > > used a program called WinCleaner 2002 which
basically scans for any Temporary
| > > > and Junk files, broken shrotcuts, Internet cookies,
Internet temporary files
| > > > and startup errors. After it finished scanning I
deleted the files that it
| > > > found and recognised as junk. About 15 seconds later
I got a error message
| > > > from the OS saying that some Windows XP Home Edition
files were deleted and
| > > > that I need to insert my OS CD to reinstall these
files, but because I
| > > > couldnt find the disk at the time I disregarded this
message and proceeded
| > > > with my deleting. After about 30min I saw that the
recycle bin icon was gone,
| > > > as in that it appeared to be hidden and the text
underneath it was gone and I
| > > > couldnt click on it. Also when I clicked Start the
buttons Run, Search and
| > > > Help & Support were also gone. I then restarted my
PC to see if that would
| > > > fix it, but I couldnt even log in: the icon didnt
appear. I restarted again
| > > > and booted up in Safe Mode and it didnt help. I also
booted up with 'the last
| > > > working configuration' but that didnt help either.
Now my question is: Would
| > > > putting the Windows XP CD back in and booting from
it help? How do I replace
| > > > those deleted files? What would I need to do to
solve it and how would I do
| > > > that? I do have the CD but dont know what to do with
it. Any help greatly
| > > > appreciated, thx.
 
Yega said:
Ok thx. I'll give it a go. Is it possible to get into the command prompt
using the XP CD, so that I can use the copy command and copy the files on my
USB pen drive?
Click to expand...

If the drive is NTFS, then no. But there are other options besides
slaving the drive. If you have a CD ROM and a CD burner create a
Knoppix disk on another working computer. Knoppix is a linux distro
that can be burned from .iso to a CD and runs from the CD. It has a
utility, k3b, to backup files to CD.

http://www.knoppix.net/
 
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