Can not start windows ME

[DLeonR]

Yesterday I was on the internet and closed the internet window then went to a directory that had a photo I copied from ebay.com, the computer started freezing then locked up on me. When trying to reboot, I get a line saying: error loading user.exe, you have reinstall windows. I tried reinsalling windows but after 64% of the files being copied It said "cant open file at a certain location." I have wasted an entire day dealing with this, so I figured that I better get some from the pros.:mad:

[Budfred]

At the risk of sounding repetitive, it sounds like you may have a malware problem. Are you able to boot into Safe Mode or Normal mode?? If you are, run Spybot and AdAware. Make sure you update them first and fix the things Spybot marks with a red check. Fix the things AdAware says are bad. Then run HijackThis. To run HJT, extract it to a permanent folder such as C:\Documents or one you create like C:\HJT. Close all programs you have opened and make sure that all programs are enabled if you use msconfig. Run it and Scan, then Save the log. When the log window appears, Right click to Copy it, open your browser and come here to Paste the log. Do not make any changes until it is checked since most items are either benign or essential to the computer.

Links are in my signature....

[DLeonR]

Thanks for the reply Budfred, but no, I can not use safe mode or any other mode, that's when I get that line error. If there is a way to run the HJT from the dos promp I could probably try it. Thanks for the links. I have the HJT on the same problem drive.

[Budfred]

I don't think running HJT from DOS would help, but it might be a good idea to make up a set of updated antivirus floppies and use them to scan the hard drive... You can use your current computer to make the disks, but make sure you write protect them so that they won't get infected as well....

[PrntRhd]

I tried reinstalling windows but after 64% of the files being copied It said "cant open file at a certain location.

Just wondering if the install is kaput at this stage, I would try to find a spare HDD with fully updated Anti Virus, slave this one and try to recover your data, then zero fill the drive with a manufacturer's utility and reinstall Windows.

PowerQuest's DriveImage or Symantec's Ghost would have made full recovery possible, for future reference.

More will comment if this is recoverable now or not.

FYI, Budfred was commenting on the dangers of opening unknown files just this AM. Proof of concept.

:rolleyes:

[Paleo Pete]

"cant open file at a certain location."

What location? CD ROM drive or is that the exact message? If it's the drive letter assigned to the CD ROM drive you might have a dodgy drive. See if you can replace it with another one, at least long enough to try the installation again.

[Paul Komski]

It's not clear whether or not you can still access this computer or not and whether when you reinstalled as a clean (brand new) installation onto a reformatted drive or as a dirty (setup over the original) installation. Can you please elaborate on this and also as to whether data recovery is important or not.