My computer is REALLY messed up. Can you help me?

[scroller]

I have REALLY messed up my computer.
I prepared a rather lengthy explanation of precisely what I did to mess it up. Should I post it? Or is there something else I should do first?
Any assistance would be MUCH appreciated.
Thank you

[rjfvillarosa]

Start off by telling us what type of computer you have, store bought branded model or custom build?
What operating system are you using? W98, W2k, XP, Vista?

Post what you have written explaining what went wrong and what you think caused it and don't worry if it's a long post, the more information the better.

[scroller]

My computer is really messed up.

I don’t know the specs on the computer, but I am using XP Pro. I bought it from the local computer store, but I am fairly sure that they put components together. It was top-of-the-line 2 years ago, and I have upgraded some things since.

To the best of my recollection, this is the series of events giving me so much grief.

My computer picked up some bug that made it require many forced turn offs, then back ons, before it would boot up. My local computer guru wanted to re-format, but I’ve been down that road before, and thought I would try to get help on-line before I did anything so drastic.

So I went to MajorGeeks for help. With their assistance, I installed SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes Anti-malware and a couple of other programs. As instructed, I posted the logs, and a teckie got back to me. The software got rid of the bugs and I was back to normal. Taking their advice, I installed ZoneAlarm Pro and Ad-Aware also.

Now my computer was back to working great…except it was taking up to 5 minutes to boot up. The red light on the computer was constantly on and the computer was unusable until all this ‘stuff’ loaded.

I deleted Ad-Aware. Then I ran CCleaner, AShampoo’s One-click optimizer, Registry Repair Master, ATF Cleaner, Malwarebytes, and AVG anti-virus trying to clean up whatever was bogging things down.

So I thought I could speed it up if I cleaned out some of the start up programs.

I went to MSCONFIG and took a look at what is in the Startup. I removed a couple of redundant programs, removing the dregs from the registry. One program that I didn’t know was called JMRaidTool. I thought it was a game that one of my grandchildren might have installed. So I uninstalled it.

Then I started to get a message on startup, something about IDE Hardware not found, then a Wizard that tried to install it, then an error message that it couldn’t be found and some programs might not run. Then another message that Secondary IDE Hardware couldn’t be found, then the wizard, then another error message.

I went to the web for advice, and one of the repairs involved changing the file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys to atapi.old then rebooting. Windows was supposed to install a new atapi.sys file to solve my problem. It didn’t work, and I got the message that windows couldn’t find Atapi.sys.

Again, the web advised me to use the XP install disc, but use the ‘R’ code to repair. It wouldn’t work, so it advised to make a disk that would combine XP with SP3 and use that. I did. That gave me even more problems when I used this as a boot disc.

Now when I boot up, it doesn’t just start in Windows like it’s supposed to, a black screen opens that gives me 3 choices. 1. Start from a boot disc, 2. Start Windows XP (this is the correct one), 3. Start Windows XP Install disc. It automatically selects option 3 by default, and gives me about 5 or 6 seconds to re-choose #2 to get windows to open or it opens the Install choice.

When windows finally does open, it opens in a resolution that makes everything on the screen HUGE, and when I right-click on the desktop/preferences, the usual menu isn’t there. All there is is a window that lets me select a different theme. The usual tabs (Desktop, Wallpaper, Display etc.) aren’t there. So I can't change the resolution.

And now it is taking up to 15 minutes to boot up, with the errors, and some programs not working properly. And everything in HUGE resolution.

PLEASE help me!!

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by scroller One program that I didn’t know was called JMRaidTool. I thought it was a game that one of my grandchildren might have installed. So I uninstalled it. Then I started to get a message on startup, something about IDE Hardware not found, then a Wizard that tried to install it, then an error message that it couldn’t be found and some programs might not run. Then another message that Secondary IDE Hardware couldn’t be found, then the wizard, then another error message

It looks like you have uninstalled the raid drivers for your motherboard.
We are going to need some system specifications, motherboard make and model? and what make, model and type (SATA or IDE) of harddrive?

[scroller]

I'm sorry, but I only know a little bit about computers. (enough to get myself in trouble, obviously).
Where do I look to get this information? Somewhere in Control Panel perhaps?

[glc]

It also sounds like you may have a failing hard drive. This will cause slow bootups no matter how clean the OS is.

By your description of everything, I have to say this - and please do not take offense.

I would recommend you take the computer back to the place of purchase and have them run hardware diagnostics, replace any defective components (you have a warranty, right?) and fix your operating system. You are in way over your head now.

[scroller]

As I said in an earlier post, the computer store in our small town has the same solution to anything even remotely complicated.....re-format and re-install everything.

That's not an acceptable solution. It's like throwing out an engine when all you need to do is a valve job.

It's quick, safe cash for the store, but days of grief for me trying to restore everything.

If the Raid drivers are not there, and I'm pretty sure I deleted them....where can I get them? How do I re-install them?

Isn't there some diagnostic software that will tell me how to fix the startup black screen 3 choices problem? It's something I put in...how can I take it out? This 'startup choice' has to be somewhere . I've heard about BIOS. Would it be there? How do I get there? The XP is a legal copy. I have the install disc with the serial.

Isn't there some way to reset Desktop/Preferences so it will allow me to reset the screen resolution?

I'm pretty sure my computer is out of warranty. In any event, I dont' trust the computer store to not just tell me to re-format.

I will provide what you ask if you will tell my where to look to get it.

Thank you for your kind assistance.

[scroller]

I forgot to mention that I have an external backup of my computer that I did before all these problems started to happen. I used XP backup to make it.

If I try to use it, will it solve my problems? Or will I just make things worse?

Thanks again.

[glc]

The first thing I want you to do is open the case and get under the hood - and familiarize yourself with the components. I would like you to run diagnostics on the ram and the hard drive.

Ram diagnostics: www.memtest.org
Hard drive diagnostics: download from the hard drive manufacturer.

They should both be in CD .iso format. You need to use burning software that can burn an iso as an image then you boot with the CD.

If they both pass diags, then you will need to do a repair reinstall of XP (procedures are in our Tips and Tricks forum) followed by a reinstall of all applicable drivers from the motherboard support CD and from the CD's that came with the other components (video card, etc.).

If the reinstall cannot find the hard drive, you will need the controller drivers on a FLOPPY, you press F6 when prompted to install 3rd party storage drivers.

A repair reinstall does NOT wipe the drive or any of your files.

[rjfvillarosa]

It's a bit obvious that you don't want to do a format and reinstall, but, in the end that maybe the only way to go. It's not as painful and difficult as it sounds and we can help you recover your files first.
Is this situation time critical?
Do you have access to another machine or are you typing on the sad one at the moment?
Do you have access to a machine with a CD burner in it?
If you have the time and inclination we can teach you how to carryout the hardware diagnostics yourself and hopefully put this machine back in working order.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by scroller As I said in an earlier post, the computer store in our small town has the same solution to anything even remotely complicated.....re-format and re-install everything. That's not an acceptable solution. It's like throwing out an engine when all you need to do is a valve job.

Well Engines and computers are not the same, a lot of times it is much cheaper for the customer for us to backup their data and just reinstall the system. Why cheaper, because it is much faster than repairing a registery or at times repairing an OS that the user have screwed up so bad that a windows repair can't fix can be very time consuming. What would you rather pay, $85 or $300? time is money.

[scroller]

I'm blown away by how quickly you are responding to my problems. Thank you again.

When I contacted MajorGeeks, it took 3 or 4 days before someone was able to help me.
So I didn't expect such quick help. I have a prior committment this afternoon, and can only spend about another half hour on the computer problem. However, I will be home this evening and will work on the problems then. Hopefully one or both of you will be available at that time.

Gratefully, I have 3 professionals helping me.

This is not time critical. I'm typing on the sad one.

Not to offend anyone, but should I follow the advice from all of you? I know your time is precious, and I might ask foolish questions, but I really do want to learn more, so I have both the time and inclination to try to fix this with your kind assistance.

I know how to burn .iso files. I mess around with video and audio editors, and make my own movies that I burn to DVD. I'm familiar with SVCD and all CD formats. I burn music CDs, movies etc.

I havent' tested the burner, so I'll do that first.

Then, I have so go, so will do what you suggest this evening. I expect to be home around 8PM Eastern Standard Time.

Thank you again.

[rjfvillarosa]

Have a read here:
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
You can download an .iso of the UBCD here which will contain all the diagnostic software you will need. It might not be as upto date as the diagnostics from the manufacturers websites but it should suit your purpose.

[glc]

The proper progression is to validate hardware first - then work on software. If you have faulty hardware, playing with the software is useless.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by scroller I might ask foolish questions, but I really do want to learn more

In that case there are no foolish questions.

[scroller]

Sorry I'm late. Just got home 1/2 hr ago.

I downloaded and burned to DVD the Memtest 86 + v2.11. I burned the one titled "Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO" There is also one entitled "Pre-Compiled Bootable Binary". Do I need to get this also?

I also downloaded and burned to DVD Ultimate Boot CD 4.11.

I see that it has a compilation of many boot discs.

Which one(s) do I run?

I am going to try the Memtest 86+ disc first and see what happens.

[glc]

When you boot to the UBCD, it boots into a menu. You choose the appropriate diagnostic. Memory diagnostics are in Mainboard Tools. Hard drive diagnostics are in Hard Disk Tools.

[scroller]

Thanks for the reply, GLC.

After church and family visits, I finally got some time to spend at the computer this evening.

Marvel of all marvels.....I re-booted the computer last night, trying to get Memtest started, when suddenly Windows re-installed. I just followed the prompts, including the F6, and R prompts. Voila...my computer is back to where it was before I started messing around. Almost. I'm not sure what I did, but I finally got cut a break.

The resolution is back, and I once again have Display Properties, so I can set it where I want. On startup, the blackscreen now only has 2 options, and it automatically opens Windows after a few seconds countdown.

I looked in MSConfig, but don't see JMRaidTool. I guess that means I don't have JMRaid installed (remember, I deleted it), but I'm not getting those error messages telling me that it doesn't have the IDE or the Secondary IDE installed. Should I re-install JMRaid? Where do I get it? Is it necessary to make my computer run properly?

I ran MEMTEST + v2.11, and it shows everything OK.

I am going to follow your directions and check out the hard drive diagnostics to see if the 15 minute bootup is due to a bad hard drive as someone suggested.

Thank you again for your kind assistance.

[glc]

Open Device Manager. If there are any flagged devices, you have to reinstall the drivers for that device.