sdanville,

You may not need to reinstall XP. In the event any system files were deleted or corrupted go to Start|Run, type sfc /scannow and click OK. You may be prompted to insert your XP Reinstallation CD. When that is completed, go to Start|Control Panel|System. On the System Restore tab check "Turn off system restore on all drives." Reboot, return and uncheck that item. Create a restore point then try to restore to it. If you are successful, restore has been (sorry) restored.

For the other missing files, if you post their names perhaps there are ways to recover them as well.

If you find you have to reinstall Windows, set your CD-ROM drive as the first boot device in BIOS. (Instructions for this are here for Dimension systems--the procedure is similar for all.) Reboot with the reinstallation CD in the drive and follow the procedure given here. Ater XP is installed you must install your drivers. Instructions for this are in the links here. Then reinstall your applications.

Be sure to back up all perishable data to removable media before starting to reinstall, as the hard disk will be formatted during the process.

Did you try a Clean Install with boot from XP CD. ?
or did you try New Install from Within Windows (insert XP CD with Windows started) not recommended.

You this link & select XP Home or PRO then method , ie: Used Hard Drive has text & large pictures of Clean Install.
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

Use this link for Clean Install of XP , if you click on Pictures they Expand for easy view
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html (Delete existing partition at step 10b for Clean Install)

or use this link ( *** Delete existing partition at step 5 for Clean Install ***)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Clean Install deletes existing partition (like FDISK)  &  Formats HD during Install of Windows XP  from XP CD.
Set BIOS to use CD-ROM as 1st boot device usually by pressing F2 during boot (startup).

 

THANK YOU FOR THE REPLY---

I was obeying your instructions.  then a window said put in CD.  Windows xp Professional. I dont have that.

So I just spent 1 1/2 hours again, loading the windows XP Home addition.

Hopeful the 1st thing I did was look for quick restore. Now I get a window that reads " Cannot access the windows management software" management files may be moved or missing.

I was hoping the reinstallation disk had everything on it.  In the good old days there was a restore CD that brought everything back to origonal configuration.        Next step ? ? Anyone ?

sdanville wrote:   So after fixing this- I lost 3 files the screen read.  Apparently one was my SYSTEM RESTORE. So I get out my Operating system reinstallation CD Windows XP..BUT- it reads on label Not for reinstallation of programs or drivers.

---

If you reinstall from DELL reinstallation XP CD  , you will then have to reinstall "programs & drivers" by using DELL "Drivers & Utilities (resource)" CD & other extra Program CD's.
The "Operating system reinstallation CD" is to Install / Repair XP OS files.

I have to admit I did the "not recommended"

the clean install is new to me..

and you gave me 3 choices to pick from. That's 2 too many for us idiots

 

I will try my 1st clean install ever....then I give up for today.  Ive been at it 12 hours.

 

...restore has been restored?

thanks for the tip willie-however,  i went to all programs and have no windows exployer listed.

12/31/3 1015 am how about this tip. My virus fix deleted C:/windows\system32\wins\DLLHOST.EXE

Is this my SYSTEM RESTORE ?   again many thanks in advance.

 

Message Edited by sdanville on 12-31-2003 09:17 AM

Right click the start button, explore.

Day two. Looking for my SYSTEM RESTORE.

I wish I could answer your question.

I ran the restore disk, but thiis inspirion isnt restored enough to have my system restore show up. Window reads Cannot be located in the dynamic link library.

930 am THANKS !

However 959 am  I have no "windows exployer" that shows up.

I did a search too.

Message Edited by sdanville on 12-31-2003 09:08 AM

the 2nd file with virus deleted is

system32\wins\svhost.exe

I assume these are the 2 Files i need no make my system restore work.

is my windows restore wont reinstall them. what can i do?.   

PS I hit F2 and nothing happens.

JANUARY 1st  Still   no luck. I will start a new thread and try and be more specific.

Message Edited by sdanville on 01-01-2004 09:33 AM