Windows XP Repair

[andy37142]

Hello
I am trying to repair a Windows XP Pro installation. I have changed the boot sequence to boot first from the DVD drive. I put the Windows XP CD in and boot from this. I get 'Press any key to boot from CD' on which I press a key.
I then get a blue Windows Set up screen but after a few seconds the DVD drive stops running and the blue Windows Set up screen hangs indefinitely. I have also tried the same procedure using the CDRW drive and the same thing happens. I have also tried using a friends copy of Win XP Pro with no luck either therefore I think that there is a problem with Windows. I don't want to lose all my settings and programs therefore a reinstall is out of the question. Could anyone offer a possible solution please?
Many thanks
andy37142:confused: :confused:

[mjc]

Well, what is the basic problem that you are trying to fix?

[andy37142]

Sometimes after boot up I click something and it just locks up and I have to restart. Sometimes when I am working in an application strange things happen like windows of other applications that I haven't called up opening and closing by themselves very fast then the system shows the 'Shut Down' window and hanging and I have lost the data in the application that I was using. This is why I think I need a repair. I have done the sfc /scannow command a few times and every time Windows asks me to insert the Win XP CD to import a .dll file so something is not right.
Thanks
andy37142

[mjc]

Those symptoms could be signs of major infection...something a simple 'repair' install would not, most likely, fix.

They could also be indicative of a hardware problem...

[andy37142]

mjc
Thanks for your reply.
I ran a Spybot and it came up with unvise32.exe, amongst other tracking cookies, which I allowed it to delete. I will see what happens in the next few days whilst I am using the system.
Thanks
andy37142

[mjc]

If that is all Spybot came up with, then it is looking more like a hardware problem...when was the last time you ran chkdisk on it?

But a HijackThis log wouldn't be a bad idea, either...

[Paul Komski]

It can be worth booting into safe mode for diagnostic reasons. If all functions well in safe mode it makes a software problem be much more likely and also a lot of malware will be bypassed by booting to safe mode.

[mjc]

I would give the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostics a shot...a lot of what you are describing can be signs of a failing hard drive. Give the Safe Mode boot a spin and then the diags.

[andy37142]

Apologies for the delayed replies but I've been on holiday. I ran chkdsk which reported no problems. The computer had been behaving strangely also sometimes just after boot up so I had a long hard look at my hardware and software. I uninstalled Zone Alarm AV & firewall and have to say that the system is performing perfectly now. Many thanks for all your suggestions you are a great bunch of people helping dumbos like me out.
I have a further question but will start a new thread if you so advise.
I have installed Avast AV which seems to be running well. I have also tried to turn the Windows Firewall back on however the 'ON' (Recommended) button is checked but is greyed out. I can click the 'Don't allow exceptions' box but can't turn the firewall 'Off' because as I said the 'ON' button is greyed out. How do I really know if the firewall is actually on or off. If it's any help clicking 'Advanced' then the settings for my Local Area Connection gives:
Services - only Teredo is enabled (whatever that is)
ICMP - nothing is checked in this box.
Many thanks
andy37142

[Paul Komski]

If you show all network connections from the start menu or control panel they are usually suffixed with their firewall status - which is almost certainly on if it says so even if you cannot turn it off because it is greyed for some reason.

[andy37142]

Paul
Under 'Network Connections' then 'Local Area Connection' (which is what I use) it does indeed say 'Connected, Firewalled' so hopefully I am covered. When I installed Zone Alarm I had assumed that I had switched the Windows Firewall off but obviously I cannot have done it correctly if the 'on' button is greyed out. The cause of my earlier problems may also been a conflict with the Windows and Zone Alarm Firewalls running together.
Many thanks Paul and mjc for your valuable help with my problem which I hope is now solved.
Have a good day.
Regards
andy37142

[Paul Komski]

If windows recognises a third party firewall it can turn itself on and off when that firewall is installed/uninstalled so that two firewalls are not running simultaneously. Possibly that is related to what has happened to you.

[mjc]

If windows recognises a third party firewall it can turn itself on and off when that firewall is installed/uninstalled so that two firewalls are not running simultaneously.

It can, but it doesn't always get it right...