Comp. Stuck in Diagnostic Start-up, Can't see Devices, Help please

[LJgoho4it]

Hello All

Heres the situation. I decided that I was going to speed up my boot and clean up some old programs - I ran a "msconfig" and started my comp. in diagnostic start-up (it was on custom) . I then proceeded to go to "add/remove programs". I uninstalled a few old programs I either don't use or wanted off the comp. nothing major (a game, some photo software). Then I went to the "msconfig" to change the setting to setup back to custom. I restarted comp.

When computer came back on Windows loaded fine, and my desktop seems normal with all programs listed. However, I noticed the tool bars looks as it did in diagnostic start-up, and I notice none of my icon for my network were appearing in the lower sys. tray. I went to control panel to "view avaiable networks", and the screen was blank. I then went to "System Info" and look in the device mgr. The device mgr. screen is blank, I can't see any of my devices.

At this point, I though maybe it didn't boot properly and went back to "msconfig" and changed to normal boot mode and restarted ------same thing as before.

Its been a day or two no and I have managed not screw it up anymore......but I will say I have tried system restore....which only shows a restore point from the last reboot which is of no help, I can't go back any further. I have also tried to use the "help and support" feature of windows and it gives a message saying the application is not on and to go the "Help and Support tab" to enable. huh?

I decided last night I should try and burn a CD with my important files from My docs. I place a CD in the drive and go to place files in the drive. Windows then throws a message up saying I have files waiting to be burn to CD, but I need to put a CD in the drive......I have a CD-R in the drive. This leads me to believe that my CD drives are not reading jack.

I am prepared to do whatever to fix it. I thought about taking it to one of those Geek Squad places, but they want to charge like 200 bucks...I just can't figure it out.

I think I might need to wipe the Sys and reinstall windows or something, but I need to figure out how to get my files copied..so I don't loose everything.

If you can help me, that would be great. Any suggestions or thoughts

Thanks,
LJ

[glc]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=151522

[LJgoho4it]

I'll give it a shot, looks like thats going to be my best option.

Do you know if doing this will erase my files?

[juppy]

No, the repair install just rewrites the system files and leaves your other programs as they are.

[glc]

It may break your antivirus software, but a repair or reinstall of that will take care of it.

[LJgoho4it]

Ok I did the reinstall which was a bit nerve racking beacuse I don't actually have the OS CD, I have a reinstallation disk that came with my Dell. Anyway I figured it would work fine, but about half way through it could copy a bunch or important Window files. I skipped most since they should be on the computer.

I rebooted and sure enough it works, I can see my devices in the device mgr. The only problem is that now my wireless network card is not working properly. It will conect to a network but has no internet capabilities. I'll bring "view networks" to choose other networks and the pop up is shaded and locked out.

I have unistalled my driver and taken the card out, and then reinstalled it. I get a message saying that the The dll is not registered. The card is a Belkin.


Let me know

[glc]

but about half way through it could copy a bunch or important Window files. I skipped most since they should be on the computer.

You can't skip those files. You now have a whole bunch of unregistered dll's.

It's time for that backup and wipe.