i have lost it. when i click on the help and support it says cannot find helpctr.exe. i dont know where or when i lost it but i am sure it has something to do with the WINDOWS INSTALLER screen that keeps coming up too. i have not been able to rid my pc of that either. i think i need an education in computers or just not use one. this is so frustrating because if you cant use help...where does one go??? Molly
Put your Windows CD in the drive. Exit out of the Autorun screen that comes up. Go to Start > Run. Type in "sfc /scannow" (without the quotes). It will take a little while to complete, so go get a cup of coffee and a snack. The scan will replace any files/links that are missing or corrupted. When it's done, the scan screen just goes away. There isn't any message as to what it did or didn't do. When it's finished, check your Help and Support. Post back and let us know the results.
i did what you told me to do. i went to run and entered sfc /scannow. the program runs for a short time then stops and ask me for my sp2 cd disk. my disc is sp1. what do i do now? that is why i was never able to use my disc because it said my version on my pc is newer than my disk. i hope that makes sense. thank you so much...
You have two options: 1) Order the SP2 CD (there is a small shipping charge of $3.55) http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx 2) Download the SP2 and burn it to CD (the file is 266 MB, so it takes quite awhile to download) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en ----------------- You can then try to run the SP2 CD when it asks for it. Another method would be to do a upgrade of your existing Windows (however, that has the drawback of you having to reinstall all updates). If the SP2 CD isn't liked by your system, then we can give you directions on how to combine SP2 with your existing Windows.
Dolphin, it did not like my sp2..... i have the full disk but it wont let me install it cuz it says my product # is wrong. go figure. what shall i do next, please....?? thanks Lynne
At this point, your down to two options: 1)Create a slipstream version of your Windows with SP2. 2)Do a Windows repair install. Is this a downloaded version? Where did you get this disc? Sounds like WGA is coming into play here. Edit: There is one other option but it involes a registry entry. Would you be comfortable with this?
IF I DID a registry entry, i would coming to your house with pc in hand looking for a major fix it. i am not that computer savvy and some of what you just told me....did you see it fly right over my head??? Dolphin you are good. i wish i new half of what you do...
what is a slipstream whatever? i already forgot what you wrote. How do i do a repair? thank you for taking the time with me. i truly appreciate it. Lynne
Sorry for the delay in answering. LOL!! Well, I guess that would be OK. I was wondering what that blast of air was. Now I know. Thanks for the compliment. Slipstream is a method of combining 2 CDs into one. In this case it would add SP2 to your existing Windows creating a new CD for your use. I think the best method for you would be to do a repair/reinstall of Windows. It is the easy method and there are little chances for error. Insert your Windwos CD into the drive. The first screen that comes up looks like this: As I show on the screen shot, chose the top option. Install Windows XP. The next screen: Chose the upgrade option as shown. This should not delete any of your personal files or programs that you have installed. It will fix the problems. Your very welcome. Please post back your results.
