puter problems

[Lluke]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812450

To resolve this behavior, start your computer from Windows installation CD-ROM ,
and then perform an in-place upgrade of Windows. For additional information
about how to do so, click the following article numbers to view the articles in
the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315341 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/EN-US/ ) How to
Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP

292175 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292175/EN-US/ ) How to
Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
If Setup does not recognize
your current installation of Windows when you try to perform an in-place
upgrade, you cannot use an in-place upgrade to repair your installation of
Windows. In this situation, you may have to completely reinstall Windows on your
computer.

Basically, you're going to need to reload Windows over the top of itself to repair/return the needed DLLs...

[Cpilot]

Couple questions...will that erase pictures and such? that is about all that i would worry about... and what if i can't find this disk? i found some utility disks but i don't think it is what i am needing. and does this boot from the cd autolmatically?

[Fanra]

If you install Windows on top of itself, it should not erase any data. You will have to reinstall many of your programs. You will also have to redo any Windows settings, etc. But your pictures and stuff should be fine. Just make sure you do NOT format the drive, that would erase everything on it.

You should first try to back up important data though, if you can.

If you find the correct CD / DVD it should boot up automatically. You might have to go into the BIOS and set the CD / DVD drive as your first boot drive, though.

[Cpilot]

If you install Windows on top of itself, it should not erase any data. You will have to reinstall many of your programs. You will also have to redo any Windows settings, etc. But your pictures and stuff should be fine. Just make sure you do NOT format the drive, that would erase everything on it. You should first try to back up important data though, if you can. If you find the correct CD / DVD it should boot up automatically. You might have to go into the BIOS and set the CD / DVD drive as your first boot drive, though.

What should i do if i can't find the disk?

[Fanra]

What should i do if i can't find the disk?

Curse?

I don't know what you do at that point. It's kind of the first thing to do when you get a computer is to either make sure you have a Windows install disk or use the built in utility (some computer manufactures don't give you a Windows disk but do let you create a Recovery disk) to create a Recovery Disk.

If you don't have either of those and can't borrow one from someone (or from another computer you own), you are pretty much screwed. Unless you want to go pay Microsoft for a new copy of Windows.

There may be some other answer but you are really on the edge of frustration here. Call me if you have to.

[Lluke]

What Fanra said...

Basically, you're going to have to come up with a Windows CD...

[tweelis]

I just found an article that tells how to create a windows recovery disk for Win 7 (and I'm guessing other MS OS's are similar). It doesn't seem that difficult. If you have Win7 or XP I could create a boot CD for you and mail it off. However if you'd rather not give out your address to some random guy that may or may not have more than a nervous tick I wouldn't blame ya.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5735259_crea...very-disc.html

How to Create a Windows 7 System Recovery Disc
By braniac, eHow User

Print this articleWindows 7 comes with the built-in ability of being able to create a System Repair Disk that can be used to recover from major issues.

The same recovery features can be found on the Windows 7 installation disc, but if you don't have an installation disc, or your was lost or damaged, you'll need this recovery disc to access the Windows 7 recovery features in case your system becomes seriously corrupt or unbootable.

Difficulty:EasyInstructions
Things You'll Need
Windows 7

1 System Repair Disc
To begin the process of creating a System Repair Disc, Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security >Backup and Restore.

Click "Create a System Repair Disc"

2 If you have multiple optical drives installed in your system, select your preferred CD or DVD burner from the drop down. Place a CD or DVD in the optical drive tray and click "Create disc."

3 A progress bar will be displayed on the screen. Creating the disc should only take a few minutes. When the process is done, click "OK."

You've just created a Windows 7 System Recovery Disc to use in case of a major computer emergency.

Or same thing from Microsoft's website: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...em-repair-disc

[shea]

What should i do if i can't find the disk?

Make a buddy that has one, preferably a volume license copy of the OS of your choice (though I think they are doing away with VL's with 2008/Vista/7 from what I've seen).

If that is out of the question, become a pirate (*eye patch on, stuffed bird on shoulder* ARRRRRRRRRRRRR!) and grab one from somewhere online (thepiragebay.org maybe) although depending on the source, this can be an iffy/questionable thing to do.

Pick a linux distro of your choice and try and get EQ running under WINE... ok.. for most people I realize this might be a bit difficult but it was worth mentioning.

If all else fails *sigh* you can always throw money at M$

Other than that.. you can rip the HDD out of your current setup and plug it into another machine (everyone has at least 10 spare computers laying around the living room right?!?) to pull the important data off of it at which point you can say @#$@#%@#$# computers and EQ, and go outside and ride your bike!

[Fanra]

Depending on where you got your computer from, calling up the manufacturer and explaining the problem can get you a Windows Recovery Disk for maybe $20?

[Cpilot]

Just an update. Been a busy couple weeks. Had the county fair and a lot of OT at work. Between that and trying to get on this laptop (my son's) I haven't been able to address the problem yet. Called a few friends that might have a recovery disk and had no luck. Might take tweelis up on that offer after I get around to calling dell and see what they say. Grats everyone on the latest win. I haven't been able to catch up on all the news... hope everyone is settling in!