Computer is messed up after msconfig dickering

Question

My XPS 8400 got messed up when I tried to fix too many programs running at startup. I switched some of them off in the startup program, then the problems began. I tried to revert to a previous setting on the bootup, but it only let me go back an hour. THen on reboots, I got messages saying that access was denied because I needed administrator status. I went on as an administrator in Safe Mode and still it had the same message that access was denied because I needed administrator status. THen I noticed i couldn't get onto the internet and that my printer was no longer recognized. THen i started getting 'Run Time Error Program C:/programfiles/ microsoft intellipoint/point32/exe abnormal program termination' error messages, along with a message from the Catalyst Control Center saying I didn't have permission to change things and that I needed to contact the administrator. I don't know what the heck is going on or what to do. I started to use a registry program to fix things, but after scanning the computer, it wanted me to buy the entire program. And of course I don't have internet access, so that ain't gonna help anyway. What do I do to troubleshoot and fix this prob?!! jjg torbs@aol.com

SR45 · Answer

Please purge the email address.  Not needed and against terms of service for your protection..     Seems you messed with the system so much you got yourself into trouble.   If your System Restore program does not work to go back in time, me thinks its time you consider either using the System Repair from the XP disk ( Sometimes its works and sometimes it does not ) or you may have to reformat and reinstall windows again.   Let us know first if you are sure the System Restore Program is broken, than we can give you some steps in using the XP disk to start a repair or reformat and reinstall of windows, which will wipe out everything.   Hope you have back ups to what you wanted to keep   Good luck

jjamesgordon · Answer

How do I proceed with a system repair, using the original XP disk? I cannot get my system to restore back more than a day. And it seems to not recognize me as an Administrator (The error messages keep saying not authorized). Is there a good site to go to to find out how to use the Windows XP disk effectively?

maxd · Answer

I think this is the best site for a repair job. Consider a repair install as a time-buyer. Things may not work as well long-term as a clean install but it'll give you time to back up all your stuff. You attempted to boot to 'Last Known Good Configuration' already, right ? You will have to re-apply all your MS updates after the repair.   http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

jjamesgordon · Answer

Dell techie said it would be best to back off my entire hard drive onto a backup drive (Easier said than done considering the computer is not recognizing plug in drives at this point). This would entail going to a tech store and have them do it. Expensive or practical move? I have everything backed on DVD's , but some of the programs will be a mess to try to get back. Is it practical to back up the entire C drive, reload Windows xp and then load back the back up? Wouldn't there be tons of redundant files and conflicts?

Windows General

Computer is messed up after msconfig dickering

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