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DeeSmith

3 Posts

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December 29th, 2007 18:00

No desktop after login - error msg ...SendMessageTimeout not located in User32.dll

Laptop Inspiron 8600 passes all diagnostic tests from Dell's diagnostic disk. All hardware works fine. Whether logging in via Safe Mode or normally, error messages for lsass.exe, explorer.exe, and services.exe all show "The procedure entry point SendMessageTimeout could not be located in the dynamic link library USER32.dll".
 
Although the login is accepted, only the desktop background image is displayed but none of the shortcus or other navigation -- no Windows Desktop.
 
I am assuming that the user32.dll file is corrupted. Can anyone tell me how to repair/replace that file without reloading the whole operating system?
 
Thanks
 
 

RoHe

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December 29th, 2007 22:00

When you get to where the desktop should be, if you press Ctrl-Alt-Del, does Task Manager open? If it does, click File>New Task (run)

type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
click ok
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it and reboot when it's done.

If that doesn't fix it, you may need to run a Repair/Reinstall of XP. Personal files will be ok, but you will have to reinstall every single XP update and hotfix again.

Ron

DeeSmith

3 Posts

December 29th, 2007 23:00

Thanks, Ron
 
It turns out that the only way I can get logged in is to use Safe Mode and the Command prompt. From that point I tried the "sfc /scannow" command and got the message "Windows File Protection could not initiate a scan of protected system files. The specific error code is 0x000006ba [The RPC server is unavailable].
 
Does that mean anything to you?
 
As far as an XP disk is concerned, I don't have the full OS disk -- only the Dell Reinstallation CD. I was led to believe that using it would completely wipe out all my personal data and put the computer back to its original factory config. Is that correct?
 
Thanks

RoHe

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December 30th, 2007 20:00

If sfc won't run in Safe Mode, it sounds there's a big problem with XP. The Dell XP Reinstallation CD is a full version of XP. It can be used either to repair the existing installation of XP or to reinstall it completely. The Reinstallation CD does not contain any hardware drivers, software etc, so by itself it cannot reset your system to exactly the way Dell shipped it.

A repair/reinstall will not damage your personal files but you will have to reinstall all the XP updates and hotfixes again.

Disconnect ALL peripherals, except mouse, monitor, keyboard, and unplug any network and/or modem connections including WiFi cards etc.

Boot from XP CD
Press ENTER at first screen (not R)
Accept XP user license
On next screen, select your installation of XP (should only be 1 listed)
Then press R for repair/reinstall

When it's done, remove the CD and reboot normally. Back up your personal files onto CD ASAP. Then scan the system for malware. When that's done and you're sure it's clean, get firewall and antiviral software running and go directly to XP update site to download all the updates again.

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 12-30-2007 02:48 PM

DeeSmith

3 Posts

December 31st, 2007 00:00

Ron,
Thanks for the help - that sfc trick was what I needed! I'm not sure if it helped or not, but I replaced the USER32.DLL file with one I got from an XP Pro installation disk that I have for another computer. After that, I still got some of the errors, but it let me log in without going to Safe Mode and then it let me run Task Manager. Under those conditions, your suggested sfc /scannow command worked as designed and apparently restored whatever files were bad from the Dell partition or from Cache (It didn't ask for a CD).
 
This is my wife's computer, so she got it back today (after I backed up the entire system) and now I'm a hero.
 
Thanks again
 
Dee

RoHe

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December 31st, 2007 00:00

Hang on a nanosec. You're the hero? Uh-uh. I'm the hero!
:D

Glad it's fixed.

Ron

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