I Broke my Dell laptop...Advice welcome

[barman]

2004 model, running Windows XP for fairly routine internet/OpenOffice/email

I received this secondhand last summer from a friend who used it in similar fashion. But she had never used the MS Updates.

I was having some performance issues and suspected some malware etc

As part of my own strategy, I went to Windows Update and began downloading some of the updates. This included my decision to upgrade to IExplorer 7.0

Immediately folllowing that download and install, the system rebooted itself and now won't load

The desktop wallpaper image loads, but none of the desktop icons, nor the Start button and taskbar.

I receive the following error messages:

WINDOWS EXPLORER has encountered a problem and needs to close.

It offers me three buttons

SEND ERROR REPORT
DON't SEND
DEBUG

Selecting DEBUG gives no response.

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NOW this evening, as I compose this post to the Rx (from my desktop), I cannot get the laptop to replicate the other Error message I received several times saying the WINDOWS EXPLORER Cannot Open because it can't find a certain file. I had hoped to make mention of the "missing file" name here, but can't at this moment.

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Booting in SAFE MODE gives me same Error message as shown above.

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Loaded the never-used DELL/WINDOWS XP disk that came with the system at sale and though I get a blip of a graphic showing something has been loaded into the CD Drive, nothing else happens.

 

[TTinCO]

Explorer is crashing at boot. Hit CTRL-ALT-DEL, go into Task manager, select File\New Task and enter "explorer" and see if it will come back up.

 

[Data]

Try this. Hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete, this will hopefully bring the Task Manager up. Click File menu item and select New Task (Run...). Type in there:

%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

and click OK. This should launch System Restore. Try restoring the system with the latest restore point you have.

 

[barman]

Thanks TT and DATA. I actually saw TT's comment first and proceeded

TaskManager did open and it showed explorer.exe as running, though I also had the Error message that Windows Explorer encountered...etc

So I closed it and then went back to TaskManager and selected Run a Program>msconfig

That opened up the SystConfig menu and gave me access to SystemRestore

I directed it to Restore to June 29, the day preceding my Internet 7.0 install and subsequent crashing

It's rebooting now.....(hold breath)

 

[barman]

Nope, still getting the error message.

In the SEE WHAT DATA THE ERROR REPORT contains, it includes a reference to a Temp file.

Is there a way I can navigate my way to my Temp folder if Windows Explorer is not running?

 

[Data]

New Task:

cmd

This launches command prompt. Type in there:

cd %temp%

hit Enter. Type in:

del *.*

hit Enter.

 

[Data]

If that does not help then post what file is missing.

 

[barman]

Will follow this counsel tomorrow evening and report back to the Bridge.

Thanks much

---------------

Followup to previous post by me:

I cannot get the laptop to replicate the other Error message I received several times saying the WINDOWS EXPLORER Cannot Open because it can't find a certain file.

SH: This was inaccurate.

Upon following the SEND REPORT tonight, I received a REPORT SENT and a hyperlinked "MORE INFO"

When I tried to follow that hyperlink, that is when I received the "other error message" which in fact said, "Cannot find the URL (very long url). Make sure you typed it correctly and try again"

So I mistook a Cannot find URL for "Cannot find file".

back on Friday

 

[barman]

Followed the instructions in DATA's last post. Had no problem.

It did ask me following that last "Enter",

"Are you sure? Y/N?"

TO which I replied Y and Enter

It then just displayed the same command line so I presume I cleared the Temp file

I rebooted and got same Errors and the Details indicated the same Temp file was still present.

Is it reasonable to presume a qualified tech could figure this out if I took it to him live?

thanks

S

 

[barman]

Better question

Can you describe to me a command sequence I could employ to make the Operating System CD run?

I'm referring to the master CD titled "Reinstallation CD"

As noted in an earlier post, I've inserted it into the CD drive following the failure of Windows Explorer to load (desktop wallpaper is all that shows)

There's a brief graphic burp where I see the tiny image of a CD - suggesting the puter has received the CD, but then nothing further happens.

 

[Data]

Try this:

Start, Run

lusrmgr.msc

Hit OK. Right-click Users and create a new user. Double-click on the newly created username, go to Member Of tab and add the user to Administrators group. Restart and logon as that new user.

If that does not help then try repairing Windows. Insert CD and restart. Hit F12 for startup options. Chose to start from CD.

 

[barman]

Wouldn't let me create a new User (or manage Users) without getting to eht Control Panel.

So followed second directive and booted with F12 to get the Windows Install CD going.

It offered me to the option to Repair, but asked that I provide the Administrator password, which I don't know because I received it from a friend.

All good. I'm about 25 minutes out from full reinstall.

That's cool because I'm yet to load up the laptop with many files that needed to be retained

more feedback asap...I'm going out to a concert tonight

Thanks again for your time and consideration

 

[Data]

Try this:

Start, Run

lusrmgr.msc

I meant:

New Task:

lusrmgr.msc

That is to start user manager.

The Repair does not ask for the password unless you go to the Repair Console and you do not need to go there.

 

[barman]

Nah, it told me when I opened User Manager that this version of Windows XP does not permit changes to the User Accounts unless you go through the Control Panel.

My reference to Repair and password arose when I followed your smart guidance to F12 and Start from CD.

It then asked me if I wanted to Reinstall or Repair.

I first selected Repair and it then asked me "which version" using the command prompt.

I took a gander and just entered the numeral "1".

It replied asking me to enter Administrator password which I did not know.

So I backed up and just went for reinstall.
========

The reinstall was successful and even retained the programs which I had installed (Eudora email and CCleaner for example). Plus, it retained all my Internet Favorites etc

So now I am just playing around trying to reset the various asthetic options.

END OF DAY, the most useful counsel was to use F12 to allow me to Start with CD and thus I was able to reinstall.

Good job and a huge thank you yet again for DATA and also TTINCO for taking their valuable time to assist a fellow Rx forum member

Steve