how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

October 30, 2008

Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

instructions in this knowledgebase article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

file when you can't start Windows.

Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

Thanks!

October 30, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

"courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:69146144-5CE0-4C05-8553-BFB4D1ECC3FB@microsoft.com...

> Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

> instructions in this knowledgebase article:

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

>

> I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

> I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

> don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

> won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

> strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

> starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

> file when you can't start Windows.

>

> Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

>

> Thanks!

If you want Guided Help then you need to run it on a different machine, one

that still runs Windows.

If you are prepared to perform the process manually then you need to boot

into the Recovery Console, as described in this KB article.

October 30, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

courtney nhc wrote:

> Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

> instructions in this knowledgebase article:

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

>

> I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

> I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

> don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

> won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

> strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

> starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

> file when you can't start Windows.

>

> Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

>

> Thanks!

I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

don't know.

In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

E:\regcopy1.txt).

Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

reinstall your applications.

PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

--

Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

October 30, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

Thanks for the info! The file that can't be copied is SAM, which is also the

one that can't be loaded and is causing Windows to not start.

I'll try again tomorrow and report the results. Thanks again!

"Lem" wrote:

> courtney nhc wrote:

> > Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

> > instructions in this knowledgebase article:

> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

> >

> > I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

> > I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

> > don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

> > won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

> > strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

> > starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

> > file when you can't start Windows.

> >

> > Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

> >

> > Thanks!

>

> I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

> agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

> situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

> helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

> don't know.

>

> In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

> you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

> cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

> chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

> that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

> drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

> the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

> E:\regcopy1.txt).

>

> Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

> having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

> System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

> it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

> application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

> would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

> reinstall your applications.

>

> PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

> BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

>

> Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

> the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

> is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

> that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

> want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

> course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

> more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

> experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

>

> Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

> don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

> files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

>

> --

> Lem -- MS-MVP

>

> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

>

October 30, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

you may simply try the

method of "repairing the o.s."

utilizing a windows setup cd.

a "repair" will replace

any missing or corrupted

system files with genuine

ones from the cd:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

- Systems Analyst

- Database Developer

- Accountancy

- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:13912CB4-711C-4737-87B2-1AD5A499942C@microsoft.com...

> Thanks for the info! The file that can't be copied is SAM, which is also the

> one that can't be loaded and is causing Windows to not start.

>

> I'll try again tomorrow and report the results. Thanks again!

>

> "Lem" wrote:

>

>> courtney nhc wrote:

>> > Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

>> > instructions in this knowledgebase article:

>> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

>> >

>> > I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

>> > I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

>> > don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

>> > won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

>> > strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

>> > starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

>> > file when you can't start Windows.

>> >

>> > Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

>> >

>> > Thanks!

>>

>> I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

>> agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

>> situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

>> helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

>> don't know.

>>

>> In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

>> you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

>> cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

>> chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

>> that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

>> drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

>> the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

>> E:\regcopy1.txt).

>>

>> Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

>> having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

>> System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

>> it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

>> application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

>> would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

>> reinstall your applications.

>>

>> PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

>> BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

>>

>> Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

>> the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

>> is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

>> that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

>> want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

>> course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

>> more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

>> experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

>>

>> Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

>> don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

>> files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

>>

>> --

>> Lem -- MS-MVP

>>

>> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

>> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

>>

October 31, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

ok, well the KB article didn't work because some of the files can't be found

in the repair steps.

I tried the repair installation that you suggested, but I can't complete

step 5 in the instructions you linked to, because that's not an option. I

press R, and nothing happens. After step 4, it says to make sure the current

installation of XP is selected in the box and then press R, but there is no

such box. After I press F8 to accept the license agreement (step 4), it goes

to a screen where I select where to install Windows and my only option is

just to completely reinstall. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

Are these instructions out of date?

"db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

> you may simply try the

> method of "repairing the o.s."

> utilizing a windows setup cd.

>

> a "repair" will replace

> any missing or corrupted

> system files with genuine

> ones from the cd:

>

> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

>

> --

>

> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

> - Systems Analyst

> - Database Developer

> - Accountancy

> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

>

> "courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:13912CB4-711C-4737-87B2-1AD5A499942C@microsoft.com...

> > Thanks for the info! The file that can't be copied is SAM, which is also the

> > one that can't be loaded and is causing Windows to not start.

> >

> > I'll try again tomorrow and report the results. Thanks again!

> >

> > "Lem" wrote:

> >

> >> courtney nhc wrote:

> >> > Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

> >> > instructions in this knowledgebase article:

> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

> >> >

> >> > I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

> >> > I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

> >> > don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

> >> > won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

> >> > strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

> >> > starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

> >> > file when you can't start Windows.

> >> >

> >> > Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

> >> >

> >> > Thanks!

> >>

> >> I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

> >> agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

> >> situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

> >> helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

> >> don't know.

> >>

> >> In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

> >> you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

> >> cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

> >> chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

> >> that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

> >> drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

> >> the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

> >> E:\regcopy1.txt).

> >>

> >> Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

> >> having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

> >> System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

> >> it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

> >> application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

> >> would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

> >> reinstall your applications.

> >>

> >> PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

> >> BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

> >>

> >> Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

> >> the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

> >> is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

> >> that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

> >> want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

> >> course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

> >> more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

> >> experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

> >>

> >> Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

> >> don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

> >> files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

> >>

> >> --

> >> Lem -- MS-MVP

> >>

> >> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

> >> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

> >>

>

October 31, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

i (we) do empathize with you as

loosing data is not the ideal

situation, especially if there

aren't any backups.

but there are ways to work

around such a fiasco, like

buying a new cheap harddrive

and install it as a slave and

a new o.s. on it.

then the new drive can be used

to perform tasks on the corrupted

disk.

but the above is only a thought

and alternative.

in regards to the instructions for

repair the o.s., they are accurate

and pretty straight forward

because the method is user

friendly and automated after

you make a few selections

to guide the process.

but there is a caveat which is

if the pc has been upgraded

to sp3, then an sp2 installation

cd will no longer work, except for

the repair/recovery console.

what would be a reasonable next step

is to re boot with that cd and access the

repair/recovery console option.

refer to the kb instructions

below and exercise option 2:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

if you are successful at getting

to the disk prompt via the console,

then let us know so that we can get

you to run some commands and

ascertain more info for us.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

- Systems Analyst

- Database Developer

- Accountancy

- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2206C4D9-7471-4719-9424-7C0E23C2F1DB@microsoft.com...

> ok, well the KB article didn't work because some of the files can't be found

> in the repair steps.

>

> I tried the repair installation that you suggested, but I can't complete

> step 5 in the instructions you linked to, because that's not an option. I

> press R, and nothing happens. After step 4, it says to make sure the current

> installation of XP is selected in the box and then press R, but there is no

> such box. After I press F8 to accept the license agreement (step 4), it goes

> to a screen where I select where to install Windows and my only option is

> just to completely reinstall. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

>

> Are these instructions out of date?

>

> "db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

>

>> you may simply try the

>> method of "repairing the o.s."

>> utilizing a windows setup cd.

>>

>> a "repair" will replace

>> any missing or corrupted

>> system files with genuine

>> ones from the cd:

>>

>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

>>

>> --

>>

>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

>> - Systems Analyst

>> - Database Developer

>> - Accountancy

>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

>>

>> "courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:13912CB4-711C-4737-87B2-1AD5A499942C@microsoft.com...

>> > Thanks for the info! The file that can't be copied is SAM, which is also the

>> > one that can't be loaded and is causing Windows to not start.

>> >

>> > I'll try again tomorrow and report the results. Thanks again!

>> >

>> > "Lem" wrote:

>> >

>> >> courtney nhc wrote:

>> >> > Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

>> >> > instructions in this knowledgebase article:

>> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

>> >> >

>> >> > I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

>> >> > I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

>> >> > don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

>> >> > won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

>> >> > strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

>> >> > starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

>> >> > file when you can't start Windows.

>> >> >

>> >> > Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

>> >> >

>> >> > Thanks!

>> >>

>> >> I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

>> >> agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

>> >> situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

>> >> helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

>> >> don't know.

>> >>

>> >> In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

>> >> you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

>> >> cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

>> >> chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

>> >> that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

>> >> drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

>> >> the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

>> >> E:\regcopy1.txt).

>> >>

>> >> Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

>> >> having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

>> >> System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

>> >> it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

>> >> application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

>> >> would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

>> >> reinstall your applications.

>> >>

>> >> PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

>> >> BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

>> >>

>> >> Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

>> >> the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

>> >> is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

>> >> that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

>> >> want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

>> >> course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

>> >> more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

>> >> experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

>> >>

>> >> Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

>> >> don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

>> >> files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

>> >>

>> >> --

>> >> Lem -- MS-MVP

>> >>

>

>> >> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

>> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

>> >> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

>> >>

>>

October 31, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

Ok, thanks for the help!

I am able to get to the Recovery Console. What should I do next?

"db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

> i (we) do empathize with you as

> loosing data is not the ideal

> situation, especially if there

> aren't any backups.

>

> but there are ways to work

> around such a fiasco, like

> buying a new cheap harddrive

> and install it as a slave and

> a new o.s. on it.

>

> then the new drive can be used

> to perform tasks on the corrupted

> disk.

>

> but the above is only a thought

> and alternative.

>

> in regards to the instructions for

> repair the o.s., they are accurate

> and pretty straight forward

> because the method is user

> friendly and automated after

> you make a few selections

> to guide the process.

>

> but there is a caveat which is

> if the pc has been upgraded

> to sp3, then an sp2 installation

> cd will no longer work, except for

> the repair/recovery console.

>

> what would be a reasonable next step

> is to re boot with that cd and access the

> repair/recovery console option.

>

> refer to the kb instructions

> below and exercise option 2:

>

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

>

> if you are successful at getting

> to the disk prompt via the console,

> then let us know so that we can get

> you to run some commands and

> ascertain more info for us.

>

> --

>

> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

> - Systems Analyst

> - Database Developer

> - Accountancy

> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

>

> "courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2206C4D9-7471-4719-9424-7C0E23C2F1DB@microsoft.com...

> > ok, well the KB article didn't work because some of the files can't be found

> > in the repair steps.

> >

> > I tried the repair installation that you suggested, but I can't complete

> > step 5 in the instructions you linked to, because that's not an option. I

> > press R, and nothing happens. After step 4, it says to make sure the current

> > installation of XP is selected in the box and then press R, but there is no

> > such box. After I press F8 to accept the license agreement (step 4), it goes

> > to a screen where I select where to install Windows and my only option is

> > just to completely reinstall. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

> >

> > Are these instructions out of date?

> >

> > "db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

> >

> >> you may simply try the

> >> method of "repairing the o.s."

> >> utilizing a windows setup cd.

> >>

> >> a "repair" will replace

> >> any missing or corrupted

> >> system files with genuine

> >> ones from the cd:

> >>

> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

> >>

> >> --

> >>

> >> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

> >> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

> >> - Systems Analyst

> >> - Database Developer

> >> - Accountancy

> >> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

> >>

> >> "courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:13912CB4-711C-4737-87B2-1AD5A499942C@microsoft.com...

> >> > Thanks for the info! The file that can't be copied is SAM, which is also the

> >> > one that can't be loaded and is causing Windows to not start.

> >> >

> >> > I'll try again tomorrow and report the results. Thanks again!

> >> >

> >> > "Lem" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> courtney nhc wrote:

> >> >> > Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

> >> >> > instructions in this knowledgebase article:

> >> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

> >> >> >

> >> >> > I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

> >> >> > I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

> >> >> > don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

> >> >> > won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

> >> >> > strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

> >> >> > starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

> >> >> > file when you can't start Windows.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Thanks!

> >> >>

> >> >> I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

> >> >> agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

> >> >> situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

> >> >> helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

> >> >> don't know.

> >> >>

> >> >> In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

> >> >> you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

> >> >> cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

> >> >> chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

> >> >> that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

> >> >> drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

> >> >> the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

> >> >> E:\regcopy1.txt).

> >> >>

> >> >> Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

> >> >> having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

> >> >> System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

> >> >> it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

> >> >> application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

> >> >> would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

> >> >> reinstall your applications.

> >> >>

> >> >> PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

> >> >> BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

> >> >>

> >> >> Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

> >> >> the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

> >> >> is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

> >> >> that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

> >> >> want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

> >> >> course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

> >> >> more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

> >> >> experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

> >> >>

> >> >> Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

> >> >> don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

> >> >> files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

> >> >>

> >> >> --

> >> >> Lem -- MS-MVP

> >> >>

> >

> >> >> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

> >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

> >> >> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

> >> >>

> >>

>

October 31, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

ok,

firstly, we want to know

how much free space

you have on the disk.

there are a couple of

ways to do this.

so lets get to the root

directory by typing cd..

and pressing enter.

you may have to do the

above a second time until

you get to the c:\>

then type and enter the

command dir

you will get the number

of bytes you have available

on the disk.

----------

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

- Systems Analyst

- Database Developer

- Accountancy

- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:43BE440D-D2F6-4FE1-BED7-051753FE36ED@microsoft.com...

> Ok, thanks for the help!

>

> I am able to get to the Recovery Console. What should I do next?

>

> "db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

>

>> i (we) do empathize with you as

>> loosing data is not the ideal

>> situation, especially if there

>> aren't any backups.

>>

>> but there are ways to work

>> around such a fiasco, like

>> buying a new cheap harddrive

>> and install it as a slave and

>> a new o.s. on it.

>>

>> then the new drive can be used

>> to perform tasks on the corrupted

>> disk.

>>

>> but the above is only a thought

>> and alternative.

>>

>> in regards to the instructions for

>> repair the o.s., they are accurate

>> and pretty straight forward

>> because the method is user

>> friendly and automated after

>> you make a few selections

>> to guide the process.

>>

>> but there is a caveat which is

>> if the pc has been upgraded

>> to sp3, then an sp2 installation

>> cd will no longer work, except for

>> the repair/recovery console.

>>

>> what would be a reasonable next step

>> is to re boot with that cd and access the

>> repair/recovery console option.

>>

>> refer to the kb instructions

>> below and exercise option 2:

>>

>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

>>

>> if you are successful at getting

>> to the disk prompt via the console,

>> then let us know so that we can get

>> you to run some commands and

>> ascertain more info for us.

>>

>> --

>>

>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

>> - Systems Analyst

>> - Database Developer

>> - Accountancy

>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

>>

>> "courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:2206C4D9-7471-4719-9424-7C0E23C2F1DB@microsoft.com...

>> > ok, well the KB article didn't work because some of the files can't be found

>> > in the repair steps.

>> >

>> > I tried the repair installation that you suggested, but I can't complete

>> > step 5 in the instructions you linked to, because that's not an option. I

>> > press R, and nothing happens. After step 4, it says to make sure the current

>> > installation of XP is selected in the box and then press R, but there is no

>> > such box. After I press F8 to accept the license agreement (step 4), it goes

>> > to a screen where I select where to install Windows and my only option is

>> > just to completely reinstall. I'd like to avoid that if possible.

>> >

>> > Are these instructions out of date?

>> >

>> > "db.·.. ><))) ·>` .. ." wrote:

>> >

>> >> you may simply try the

>> >> method of "repairing the o.s."

>> >> utilizing a windows setup cd.

>> >>

>> >> a "repair" will replace

>> >> any missing or corrupted

>> >> system files with genuine

>> >> ones from the cd:

>> >>

>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

>> >>

>> >> --

>> >>

>> >> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

>> >> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional

>> >> - Systems Analyst

>> >> - Database Developer

>> >> - Accountancy

>> >> - Veteran of the Armed Forces

>> >>

>> >> "courtney nhc" <courtneynhc@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:13912CB4-711C-4737-87B2-1AD5A499942C@microsoft.com...

>> >> > Thanks for the info! The file that can't be copied is SAM, which is also the

>> >> > one that can't be loaded and is causing Windows to not start.

>> >> >

>> >> > I'll try again tomorrow and report the results. Thanks again!

>> >> >

>> >> > "Lem" wrote:

>> >> >

>> >> >> courtney nhc wrote:

>> >> >> > Hello there. I have a corrupt registry and am trying to follow the

>> >> >> > instructions in this knowledgebase article:

>> >> >> > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B307545

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > I would prefer to run the Guided Help (now partly because one of the files

>> >> >> > I'm supposed to repair in the manual instructions cannot be copied and I

>> >> >> > don't know what to do), but I don't know how to run a program when Windows

>> >> >> > won't start, and there are no instructions in the KB article. Which is

>> >> >> > strange, because it's right there in the title: "...prevents Windows from

>> >> >> > starting" so they should probably have instructions for how to run an exe

>> >> >> > file when you can't start Windows.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Anyway, if someone could help me, that would be great!

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Thanks!

>> >> >>

>

>> >> >> I've never run any of the "Guided Help" options in MS KB articles, but I

>> >> >> agree that it seems unlikely that Guided Help would be of any use in a

>> >> >> situation where Windows doesn't start. Or maybe this Guided Help just

>> >> >> helps you make the 2 batch files on a different (working) computer. I

>> >> >> don't know.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> In any case, the manual procedure isn't hard, just a bit tedious unless

>> >> >> you follow the suggestion to make batch files. If you do this by

>> >> >> cut-n-paste, which is the recommended procedure, you also avoid the

>> >> >> chance of mistyping a command. The step that the directions omit is

>> >> >> that you'll either have to copy regcopy1.txt from whatever external

>> >> >> drive you saved it on to the C:\ drive of the problem computer or change

>> >> >> the command to reference the drive on which the file exists (e.g., batch

>> >> >> E:\regcopy1.txt).

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Finally, note that this procedure depends (in Part 2) on System Restore

>> >> >> having been active before the problem occurred. If you had turned off

>> >> >> System Restore (it's on by default), you will only have the registry as

>> >> >> it existed when Windows was first installed (before all of the

>> >> >> application programs were installed). In this case, your best option

>> >> >> would be to save all of your data, then reinstall Windows, and then

>> >> >> reinstall your applications.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> PRINT OUT THE INSTRUCTIONS AND READ THEM CAREFULLY ALL THE WAY THROUGH

>> >> >> BEFORE YOU START. Note the "Warnings" and "Notes."

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Which file is giving you problems when you try to copy it? Note that

>> >> >> the first step, where you copy the files in c:\windows\system32\config\,

>> >> >> is merely creating a backup set of the *current* registry files so

>> >> >> that you can undo the whole thing if, for some reason, that's what you

>> >> >> want to do (see the second paragraph in the Guided Help section). Of

>> >> >> course, you're probably only going through this exercise because one or

>> >> >> more of the current registry files has become corrupt -- and in my

>> >> >> experience, such corruption often prevents you from copying the file.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Thus, if you have a problem copying one of the current registry files,

>> >> >> don't worry. If, on the other hand, you can't copy one or more of the

>> >> >> files in c:\windows\repair\, you'll probably have to reinstall Windows.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> --

>> >> >> Lem -- MS-MVP

>> >> >>

>> >

>> >> >> To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.

>> >> >> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer

>> >> >> http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

>> >> >>

>> >>

>>

November 1, 2008

Re: how to run an executable file when Windows won't start

next lets see what sp version

you have on the disk.

so at the command prompt

type and enter:

cd c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386

at the directory prompt above

run the command:

dir *.cab

the above will produce a concise

listing of cabinet files and you should

see a file beginning with sp

is it sp2 or sp3?