Problems with Windows XP

[ualdriver]

Hello-

I've been having some problems with Windows XP ever since SP3 tried to install itself (auto update) on my machine only to uninstall itself 1/2 way through the installation due to some registry issue. SP3 never fully installed but I think it caused me some problems.

Anyway, since the aborted SP3 install, Windows XP and Internet Explorer are misbehaving. I have no access to System Restore at all no matter how I try to access it, even in safe mode. The Search function within Windows (Start->Search) doesn't work at all. When I surf the internet on Internet Explorer, on some websites pictures don't load and/or the buttons on the site don't work.

Any advice on how I should get Windows fully working again short of doing a complete Windows XP reinstall?

Thanks for your time,
ualdriver

 

[Markbnj]

I think your best chance is to try and complete the SP3 install. I would do some searches for common installation issues and apply the recommended fixes. Once you get through the install the system will likely be stable again. Having aborted part way through as it did last time, you'll have different versions of important components.

 

[corkyg]

The problem stems from IE7. Before installing SP3, uninstall IE7,l then put in SP3. Then put in IE7.

SP3

I went through this and it was a genujine PITA. I had to uninstall SP3 and that was not easy. Then, IE7, and etc.

 

[blackangst1]

Sounds like Vista upgrade time!

(had to throw that in...oh how the tides have turned hehe)

 

[ualdriver]

Markbnj-

Thanks for your response. I did a search as you advised, and I'm pretty sure I found the error here.

Specifically, I found this section to be the part that deals with me. It involves me messing around with my registry it looks like. I cut and pasted the steps below. Before I follow these steps as I don't know much about registry entries, is there anything in your opinion I should do? Do I risk worse damage by running this script?

Thanks again,
ualdriver

P.S. Thanks to all the others who responded as well


****Here's what it says to do**********

1. Download and then install the Subinacl.exe file. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downl...5e3927b&displaylang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downl...e3927b&displaylang=en)

2. Start Notepad.

3. Copy and then paste the following text into Notepad.
cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Resource Kits\Tools"
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CURRENT_USER /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subkeyreg HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %SystemDrive% /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
subinacl /subdirectories %windir%\*.* /grant=administrators=f /grant=system=f
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\repair\secsetup.inf /db secsetup.sdb /verbose

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied. This includes, but is not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language that is being demonstrated and with the tools that are used to create and to debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure. However, they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific requirements.

4. Save this Notepad file as Reset.cmd.

5. Double-click the Reset.cmd file to run the script.

Note This script file may take a long time to run. Additionally, you have to run this script as an administrator.

6. Install Windows XP SP3.

 

[Smilin]

Those are not horribly unsafe steps. Give it a shot.

I would also suggest trying the sp install from safemode.


If none of these work then stop everything and call microsoft. You get a free support incident for sp problems. Just call the regular paid support line and tell them it's an sp issue.

 

[ualdriver]

Smilin-

OK, thanks for the information. I did the Windows XP SP3 install and it worked. However, XP is still messed up. Internet Explorer doesn't load some graphics and some buttons still don't work. Still not able to access the Windows XP help menu (start->help and support) nor the search function.

Any ideas where I should go from here? Do you guys think the XP repair function will work?

Thanks,
ualdriver

EDIT: tried XP repair......new thread started for different topic. Feel free to help with this new (worse) problem