In need of help.

[2x4b]

Hello people. :)

I have been having a few problems with my PC for the last few days and could really do with some help / advice. It started a couple of days ago when after leaving my computer alone for a while with nothing running it crashed and then displayed an error message “load needed DLL,s for kernel” whenever I tried to boot it up. I found some instructions (http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/133655.html) that said how to fix it without an in-place install of XP. It didn’t run entirely smoothly at first (had some problems with running chkdsk for a while) but eventually I was able to complete the instructions and the error message stopped appearing.

However a new error message saying \windows\system32\config\system was missing or corrupt started appearing when XP tried to boot. I found these instructions (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307545) which showed me how to replace the file with one from the repair folder. I did this and the error stopped appearing but I kept getting a blue screen when XP tried to load (which was now taking a few minutes rather than the few seconds it did before the problems began) which didn’t give any specific error messages or tips on fixing the problem except for running another chkdsk.

In desperation I then tried the in place install in the hope this would fix the problems but now whenever my computer boots it comes up with the XP setup screen, says it will take 39 minutes to complete the install but soon stops and gives the error message “Fatal error prevents setup continuing. Setup failed to install the product catalogues” and the setup log file says “Error: The signature for Windows XP Home Edition upgrade invalid. The error code is 3e7. Error performing inpage operation.”

I have searched for info on this error on Microsoft’s help site but couldn’t find anything. I have no idea what is causing it or how to proceed. Someone has suggested getting a new HDD or at least trying to reformat the current one and starting fresh but I would rather not lose my files if possible. Any help on how to fix the 3e7 error or any tips on an easy way to backup my files before a reformat would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Sylvander]

Fatal Error: Setup failed to install the product catalogs. This is a fatal error. The setup log files should contain more information. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307153/en-us)

But, perhaps you should be attempting...
XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option (http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897).

And once all is well again...
Begin making image backups of your partitions [particularly C:], using a program that loads from a bootable floppy or CD, and can save/restore backups to/from an image file in a folder on a partition on [either an internal HDD, or] an external [USB2 connected] HDD.
Move all your data files off C: to make it as small as possible, so it will be easy/quick to backup/restore/defragment/scan etc.

e.g.
a. My Documents. [Use “TweakUI” to move their home]
b. E-mails for all identities. [use the email client to move their home]
c. Internet Explorer Favourites. [Use “TweakUI” to move their home]
d. Temporary Internet Files. [use the browser (Internet Explorer) to move them]
e. Re-home the Windows Address Book as shown here http://tinyurl.com/24q6l . Use the key “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\WAB\WAB4\Wab FileName” to specify its new address. [Its normal home address [in Win98] is C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book\(the name you gave your PC).WAB]

So when you make C: "jump back" by restoring an image, all your data will be untouched and up-to-the-second.

1. How to make a free “Smart Boot Manager” floppy
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41498
This makes it easier to boot a chosen drive [particularly the one holding the EBCD].

2. How to make a free EBCD bootable CD
http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=41485
This has a number of useful utilities included including "Image" [for DOS, by Terabyte] & "File Manager".
This FREE TRIAL version of "Image for DOS" can make [and restore] image backups to/from a FAT[32] partition on an internal HDD [you would need a 2nd HDD unless you have a partition (other than those to be backed up) available on the existing drive].
The paid version can save to and restore from an external USB HDD [and more].
Individual chosen folders/files can be [RAPIDLY] restored from within Windows using the FREE "TBIview" from TeraByte.

[2x4b]

Thanks Sylvander for the first two links you provided on how my problem could be fixed. It is the process described in the second link that I was attempting without success and I probably overlooked the first article as I am trying to repair XP rather than upgrade from a previous version of windows which is what the title of the article says it is about.

Unfortunately while the error message I am getting is listed in the article the resolution of changing the catroot2 folders name suggested by the link hasn't worked. The same error message appears at the same point in the repair install process. I checked the contents of the system32 folder to check catroot2 no longer existed before attempting the windows set up again but the problem still persists.

After the repair install failed I checked the contents of the system32 folder again and there is now a freshly created catroot2 folder as well as the old renamed version.

Thanks for trying anyway. If you or anyone else knows of anything else I can try the help would be appreciated.

[classicsoftware]

Me thinks you have a hard drive problem. Please download the diagnostics from the hard drive menufacturers web site and post back with the results.

[2x4b]

As I can't get my computer to boot up I don't know how I would go about testing the HDD for faults.

However I tried renaming "catroot" as well as "catroot2" this time and tried to start the setup process again and it did actually start this time which is a first. The little progress bar has even got to about halfway full. Unfortunately it does now seem to have frozen and there are no little whirs of activity from my computer anymore. I will have another go at it tommorrow but then I may have to admit defeat and get a man in to have a go.

[mjc]

The diagnostics are not dependant upon what is on the hard drive...they are either floppy or CD based. You boot to the disk and run the diagnostics, there, not in Windows.