So did you create a new partition with XP? Or did you do a Repair/Reinstall. Please be specific about what you did and why you did it. ;)
Assuming you didn't make a typo in your original post, I see why the error message may be appearing:
C:\WINDOWS\system32:svchost.exe
There should be a
\ instead of a
: between \system32 and svchost.exe
Have you scanned for malware lately?
Assuming you haven't reformatted the hard drive, you could back up all your personal stuff on CDs and then use PC Restore to reset the hard drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it. All personal files, all Microsoft updates and any software you added will be lost, so essential to back up first, and reinstall them after using PC Restore.
Looks like something went wrong when you did the repair/reinstall. Folders and files can't have a : in middle of their name. Do you even have a folder namedC:\WINDOWS\system32\ ?
As I see it, you have 2 choices, either do the repair/reinstall again, and reinstall all the XP updates yet again, or you can try a windows system file check (sfc) first:
click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /scannow)
Click OK
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it and reboot when it's done.
Something is sure amiss here. If all your personal stuff is backed up on external media (eg, CD), you could use PC Restore to reset the hard drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it. Your files, any software you added and all Microsoft updates will be lost, so backup is essential.
PC Restore will get you up and running in ~10 minutes with XP, all drivers and Dell's pre-installed softwre. So that may be the best way to go. Access PC Restore by rebooting and pressing/holding Ctrl key and then pressing F11 (release both at same time), when the narrow blue bar appears at top of your screen. Follow the prompts.
When that's done, get firewall and antiviral software running and go directly to MS update site to download updates for XP, IE, Office etc.
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
March 24th, 2008 00:00
If you reformatted and reinstalled XP, you should have eliminated any directory name errors. So please be more specific about how your reinstalled.
And always include version of Windows and model of PC in your posts.
Ron
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
March 24th, 2008 19:00
So did you create a new partition with XP? Or did you do a Repair/Reinstall. Please be specific about what you did and why you did it. ;)
Assuming you didn't make a typo in your original post, I see why the error message may be appearing:
C:\WINDOWS\system32:svchost.exe
There should be a \ instead of a : between \system32 and svchost.exeHave you scanned for malware lately?
Assuming you haven't reformatted the hard drive, you could back up all your personal stuff on CDs and then use PC Restore to reset the hard drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it. All personal files, all Microsoft updates and any software you added will be lost, so essential to back up first, and reinstall them after using PC Restore.
Repairing your PC with PC Restore
And always include model number of PC in your posts.
Ron
Kezzzaaa
4 Posts
0
March 24th, 2008 19:00
Hi Ron
I have not reformatted I have just re-installed XP professional SP2.
The PC is an Inspiron 530 only a couple of months old.
Should I reformat.
Regards
Kez
Kezzzaaa
4 Posts
0
March 24th, 2008 22:00
C:\WINDOWS\system32:svchost.exe this is exactly how it appears when a small window pops up.
I have only done a repair when re-installed
Also no malware was found.
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
March 24th, 2008 23:00
Looks like something went wrong when you did the repair/reinstall. Folders and files can't have a : in middle of their name. Do you even have a folder named C:\WINDOWS\system32\ ?
As I see it, you have 2 choices, either do the repair/reinstall again, and reinstall all the XP updates yet again, or you can try a windows system file check (sfc) first:
click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /scannow)
Click OK
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it and reboot when it's done.
Ron
Kezzzaaa
4 Posts
0
March 25th, 2008 09:00
Ron
I have tried both of your ideas and still no difference.
Message still appears.
I have folders C:\WINDOWS\system32 and C:\WINDOWS\system only.
Do you think I need to re-format the drive.
only
Kez
RoHe
10 Elder
•
45.2K Posts
0
March 25th, 2008 18:00
Something is sure amiss here. If all your personal stuff is backed up on external media (eg, CD), you could use PC Restore to reset the hard drive to exactly the way Dell shipped it. Your files, any software you added and all Microsoft updates will be lost, so backup is essential.
PC Restore will get you up and running in ~10 minutes with XP, all drivers and Dell's pre-installed softwre. So that may be the best way to go. Access PC Restore by rebooting and pressing/holding Ctrl key and then pressing F11 (release both at same time), when the narrow blue bar appears at top of your screen. Follow the prompts.
When that's done, get firewall and antiviral software running and go directly to MS update site to download updates for XP, IE, Office etc.
Post back and let us know how it goes.
Ron