The Crap Shooter

[Sakura]

Ohhh ok I got it, it's you getting the crisis and not her

[Hiki]

my grandma died saturday :( But it's better for her this way

[oldwrench]

I'm sorry to hear that , Hiki. It's always sad to lose someone close. But there comes the day for all of us when we are far better off in another place. Just remember the good times.

[Hiki]

Well, I'm rather glad it's over because she was in a lot of pain...

[oldwrench]

#@*&%$##(%($ f**k**g micro &#@%$#@@!# squash........ Their d*m*ed automatic update last night hosed my shop computer. It automatically tried to restart after their failed install, it would get to the first windowz screen, then shut down and reboot endlessly. I tried lots of fixes, and finally a repair install. Now it works.......sort of. IE won't work because of a corrupt dll, so I can't get the updates. I got the dll from the internet, but windowz won't let you replace the one that's in there, not even in safe mode. I guess I'll have to boot with a linux disc and see if I can replace it then. I have refrained from resorting to the universal repair tool.... The BFH, but it may come to that. I'll either fix it, or I'll fix it so nobody else can.

Thing is, that computer has the shop Alldata repair information. Without it, things are about impossible. Sometimes it sucks to be me.

[Sakura]

my grandma died saturday :( But it's better for her this way

My last grandparent is already dead she just didn't stop breathing. (dementia)
I bid her farwell years ago

[Sakura]

#@*&%$##(%($ f**k**g micro &#@%$#@@!# squash........ Their d*m*ed automatic update last night hosed my shop computer. It automatically tried to restart after their failed install, it would get to the first windowz screen, then shut down and reboot endlessly. I tried lots of fixes, and finally a repair install. Now it works.......sort of. IE won't work because of a corrupt dll, so I can't get the updates. I got the dll from the internet, but windowz won't let you replace the one that's in there, not even in safe mode. I guess I'll have to boot with a linux disc and see if I can replace it then. I have refrained from resorting to the universal repair tool.... The BFH, but it may come to that. I'll either fix it, or I'll fix it so nobody else can.

Thing is, that computer has the shop Alldata repair information. Without it, things are about impossible. Sometimes it sucks to be me.

Well a Linux boot won't help you in that case because the ntfs volume is mounted "unclean" and you have to either force the mount (and damaging your hard disk on write) or use the tool "ntfsfix" to empty the logfile.
When you're running Windows 2k,XP,2003,Vista you can boot to the rescue console and type:

Code: Select all

sfc /scanonce

and this will replace all system files from your original CD (make sure to have the CD, make sure to unplug your internet, make absolutely sure you have a Service Pack 3 CD ready which you install before plugging in your cable)
In your case our first step would be, taking a 1:1 backup copy of your hard disk first. You better get ready for a day of fun. Please, dont forget the backup copy.
Recommendation: Make a backup (Reflect or Norton Ghost), boot the OS as good as you can. Locate the databases of your software and back them up to an USB stick. Reinstall the machine. Patch. Install your Application. Close the application. Copy the files from the USB Stick to their original locations. When you're done your computer is as good as new.
I'm a little bit worried by two things you said:
a) ...without it (Alldata) things are impossible
b) ...I'll fix it so nobody else can.
I'm sorry to say honestly that this attitude will very often get you nowhere. I could help you with search + copying of your data (by support.exe) but of course nobody can give you any guarantees...

[oldwrench]

I already used my linux disc to copy the few things that I needed to copy. Alldata is the service manuals that now come on dvd, I install them on the hard drive for faster access, it's 15 dvd's. Problem is, I need the computer to access them. without information, it's hard to repair today's cars.

I got the computer to boot by going to the xp install on the disc and using the "repair this installation". now it boots, but I can't update it. I explorer says it can't open because it's missing some access point in the shwapi.dll file. I can't install sp3 without installing sp1. I have a sp1 disc, but when I try to run it it unpacks the files then says access denied.

I'm going to try the sfc /scanonce command you sent me, maybe if I start over again it will let me do the service packs.

I have the four pound hammer ready.

[oldwrench]

Ok, here's the exact message I get when it won't open IE.

The procedure entry point SHregGetValueW could not be located in the dynamic link library SHLWAPI.dll.

If you have any idea what that means, let me know. I haven't tried anything else yet.

Myabe I should just get a new Hard drive and start all over. Save the old one to take my files off of it, then use it for storage. The computer's six or seven years old, I'm not sure if it's the first HD or not.

[oldwrench]

Well I can get a 500g western digital hd for $70 and a new copy of xp with sp3 for 90..... I may just do that.