I doubt you will be able to get into Safe Mode, but you can give it a try. Restart computer. While Dell logo is still on the screen, press F8 about two times per second. If you get the Advanced Options menu, see if you can get into Safe Mode. Login as Administrator. Normally, there's no password. Once in Safe Mode, put XP CD in CD-ROM drive. If it autoruns, just exit the install menu. Now, click on Start|Run. Type sfc /scannow. Press Enter. This will verify the version and integrity of Windows protected system files. Once System File Checker finishes, see if you can start XP normally.
If you can't get into Safe Mode, but you do get to the Advanced Options menu, then try "Last Known Good Configuration".
Okay, i tried to restart my computerin safe mode, and it didn't work, it just took me back to the blue screen. I also tried to restart with the last known good configuration and it didn't work either. is there a way i can install the user32.dll file in the repair program of the windows xp disc (using comand prompts)? thanks
Yes. Insert XP Reinstallation CD in CD-ROM. Restart computer. While Dell logo is still on screen, press F12. Select CD/DVD ROM as boot device. Press Enter. If prompted to "Press any key to boot from CD...", press any key.
When Windows reaches the Setup screen, press "R" to enter Recovery Console. Select the Windows installation by number, usually its "1". The password is normally blank so just press Enter.
You should now be at the command prompt. To extract the user32.dll file from the XP CD to C:\Windows\System32\user32.dll type the following:
Okay, i tried what was in the last post (expand d:\i386\user32.dl_ c:\windows....) and it says unable to create file user32.dll. Is there anything else i can do or am i going to have to reformat my hard drive? Thanks again.
Apparently the c:\windows\system32\user32.dll still exists. What you can try is the following:
Boot system with XP CD. At setup screen, press "R" to enter Recovery Console. Select Windows installation (1). Press Enter when asked for password. At the command prompt, type
cd\windows\system32 Press Enter. Command prompt should now be
C:\Windows\System32 >
Now, type
dir user32.dll.
Press Enter. If the user32.dll file exists, you can rename it, then attempt to extract the user32.dll from the XP CD again as follows:
expand d:\i386\user32.dl_ user32.dll
Note the space after dl_. Since you are already in the C:\Windows\System32 folder you do not have to enter entire path (C:\Windows\System32\user32.dll) as you did before.
I am having the exact same problem you had approximately 1 year ago with the user32.dll. Were you able to succesfully get into Windows without losing all of your data? I noticed that tgsmith was helping you...I have already tried everything prior to booting with the CD. I actually misplaced mine.
While it is preferable to use the Dell Reinstallation CD for Windows XP that came with your system, you can use an XP CD of the same version and release that is currently installed on your system; i.e., Windows XP Home SP2.
Although you are receiving an operating system load error, there is a very good chance that your data files are intact. Even if you cannot boot your system after applying the repair I mentionned, there are ways to backup your data from an unbootable system.
Thank you. I have submitted the request for the CD's. I will let you know. Thanks... I have hope!
FYI..the error came about after I ran Trend Micro. It found that the User32.dll file was infected and I did not know that this file was as important as it was. I believe I tried the whole cleaning to quarantining process and after that I shut down the pc. I believe the file was quarantined. Prior to running Trend Micro (my subscription was outdated and I had just renewed it) I had been receiving those virus alert warnings on my PC. I did not go through with any of their instructions, I just immediately renenwed Trend Micro.
The CDs came in less than 24 hours. I was able to see that there was no User32.dll in the c:\windows\system32 folder so I typed in expand d:\i386\user32.dl_ user32.dll and the following message appeared...
As I await your next suggestion, I am going to head to Best Buy to get all of my data backed up. Like you said, I believe it is still there especially when I saw all of the other files in the system32 folder.
tgsmith
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Posted August 15th, 2007 02:00
Message Edited by tgsmith on 08-14-2007 11:08 PM