Vista Boots up to a Black Screen and a Cursur

[LimeBowler]

Today I was changing my PC's theme to one that I had found on DeviantArt. Help on how to install the theme had instructed me to changing some of the files in System32. I had successfully changed my permissions and the file for one named authui.dll. But when i tried to access the next file an error message came up saying something like "You do not have the right permissions". I tried to change the one i had already done but had the same problem. I decided i would try to restart the PC but found that the none of the Start menu buttons were clickable and it had been enlarged slightly, meaning i couldn't access the arrow which would lead me to restart as it was hidden. My computer then went to a black screen and a moveable cursur.

 

After turning off the computer it will get past Vista's loading bar but after that it will return to the Black screen and Cursur. Cntrl+Alt+Del isn't working.

 

To resolve the issue i have tried booting from Vista's install disk and restoring from a previous point using the 'Repair' menu on the disk but unfortunaly the PC can't find any points to restore to. :(

 

Does anyone have any ideas as to what i could do? And does anyone know what it was that caused this problem?

Thanks to anyone that can help.

Edited June 6, 2009 by LimeBowler

[zinglebarb]

What you will need to do I think is somehow copy a virgin file to replace the modded one.

 

you can source the file here authui.dll: Information about Process authui.dll scan it first.

 

Ok now to get the file copied over hmmmmm .This is where it gets fun for you. It can be done using a live cd operating system and the easiest to get hold of will be Ubuntu. There are full instructions of how to mount the hard drive here Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer :: the How-To Geek

 

Simply (thats a laugh aint it lol ) copy the dll into system 32 and as long as thats all that was changed hopefully the system will boot. I have done stuff like this before and in theory it should work its just if your upto it as its not the easiest fix

 

Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu find the ubuntu iso here

[LimeBowler]

Ok, i've got Ubuntu downloading now and i'll burn that to a disk when its finished. One thing that i'm not sure about is how do i get the new dll file onto the computer. Will the computer recoginse USB sticks when it's booted up from the Ubuntu disk?

 

EDIT: The website that you directed me to for the new dll file doesn't have any download link.

Edited June 7, 2009 by LimeBowler

[Tootech]

Will the computer recoginse USB sticks when it's booted up from the Ubuntu disk?

 

Yes it will, no worries there.

[zinglebarb]

Ok, i've got Ubuntu downloading now and i'll burn that to a disk when its finished. One thing that i'm not sure about is how do i get the new dll file onto the computer. Will the computer recoginse USB sticks when it's booted up from the Ubuntu disk?

 

EDIT: The website that you directed me to for the new dll file doesn't have any download link.

 

 

I take it you didnt rename the old one? in future rename so the old one you would call authui_old.dll

 

did you have any service packs installed? was it 32 bit ?

[zinglebarb]

Try this I tested it on a Vortual machine and it didnt work but it might on a proper OS.Boot from the Vista dvd and select repair my computer get into advanced and select command prompt type sfc /scannow and see if it works as I say it might not

 

If I have to ill install and exact match for your computer in VMware service pack it up and source you the dll that way

[LimeBowler]

I did rename the dll so i should just be able to name it back to the original.

The computer was running Service pack 1 and was the 32bit version.

[LimeBowler]

It's worked! :D I booted using Ubuntu and just renamed the originall dll file. It restarted normally. Thanks for the help guys, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you.

 

The Ubuntu style is actually better than Vista. :rolleyes:

 

Just for future reference, was I doing the right thing in order to change the theme? The theme i was trying to use was a Visual Style rather than a .theme file.

Edited June 7, 2009 by LimeBowler

[Guest Wolfeymole]

In my opinion Themes, Screen Savers etc just add trash to a system which you don't need and are also a well known source of malware.

[zinglebarb]

It's worked! :D I booted using Ubuntu and just renamed the originall dll file. It restarted normally. Thanks for the help guys, I wouldn't have been able to do it without you.

 

The Ubuntu style is actually better than Vista. :rolleyes:

 

Just for future reference, was I doing the right thing in order to change the theme? The theme i was trying to use was a Visual Style rather than a .theme file.

 

 

Phew that was lucky then lol