System Restore

[Charles]

Platform

Dell Inspiron 8600 XP Pro


Problem..

After uninstalling several programs form Add Remove computer boots slowly. I can't see the Start menu or use system restore to restore.

How can I recover? Is it possible I am missing dll files?

[EzyStvy]

Try hitting the Windows key on the keyboard. (between the CTRL and ALT keys)

[Charles]

Windows key does not respond. I also notice it looks like the audio controller is gone because it's asking me for it. "Windows is starting up..." stays for a few minutes before it boots.

Nero won't open. Message says.

"An error using COM/OLE occurs. Please check the installation of COM on your computer."

At this point all I want to do is to copy all my files before I format and start loading OS from scratch. It's about that time anyways.

[glc]

Pull the drive and connect it to your desktop with an adapter to recover your files.

[Charles]

Good suggestion, thank you. I'm having a little problem though. A lot of my files where under My Documents(My Music) not under C: drive. So now when I connect the laptop hard drive to my desktop I can't see My Music but only everything that's in C:. I put the drive back in the laptop to try to copy from Documents (My Music) to C: drive but it won't allow me to. Any ideas?

[EzyStvy]

How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308421

[glc]

When it's in the other computer, you have to go to the Documents and Settings folder, then into the username folder, then you will find My Documents and its subfolders. Ownership transfer may then be required.

My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, etc. that you see on the active OS drive are simply pointers to that structure. Each user has their own.

[Charles]

I looked and looked but did not see them. I had to use another drive to transfer from the laptop to it, from the laptop itself. Now I can format and later drop to it. Thanks again.

Going to your last statement. Does that mean I would have had to boot to SAVE MODE and as Administrator on the desktop to "Ownership transfer may then be required".

thanks

[glc]

If you get an access denied when you try to access the directory structure, you will need to take ownership of it. Follow the instructions in the MS article.