Update caused mess on XP.

[darrell69]

Hi.. thought u guys may beable to help me.. I know its quite along read but iver tried to be as detailed as i can.

I hope ive posted this in the right section.. sorry if not.

Anyways..

Yesterday, i got a pop-up from Windows 'Automatic Updates' saying that an update was available (btw, i run Windows XP OS). So as usuall, i downloaded it. Then it said it was ready to be installed, so i installed it...

But, it wasnt like a typical windows update, i.e the install pop-up looked different (like classic windows version), and it took ages to complete.

But since it was a Windows 'Automatic Update', i trusted it and didnt think any otherwise. When it finally had completed, it asked me to reboot for the changes to take effect. (Well, what changes they ended up being!!...)

So i rebooted since i wasnt in the middle of anything.. and then the trouble began... Firstly, Windows wouldnt load. It kept cutting off at the boot screen, and a message coming up saying "sorry for the inconvenience, but windows didnt load successfully... blah, blah, blah... please choose one of the options and try again.. blah, blah, blah.."

I tried every option (including.. 'boot from last known working settings', 'boot from this', 'boot from that', 'try again and boot normally') but it still came up with that message.

So, with nothing left to try, i tried the 'System Recovery' option at the start of re-booting. I cant remember what happened after because i was paniking lol... But the next thing i remember is either Windows or Compaq (my computer manufacturer) was trying to do something with my files. Then, Windows start screen came up (not the one you use to log-in with each time.. the one-off you see when you first get a new computer and Windows as just been installed, where it asks for time settings and computers name ect).. as though Windows XP had just been re-installed... But it hadnt.

(Hope you know what i mean..)

So.. Windows start, and logs me in. Everything is basic and old version'd, including the programs. All my programs are gone, but yet the icons are still there .. when i click to load them, a message pops up asking for the program to be re-installed. That happens for them all... All my files are gone .. but yet they're listed in a folder, but with nothing attached to them .. i had some really precious photos also that i (or anyone else) dont have any other copies of

There are a few files (but not all) in my 'Shared folder' that have been saved. Its just my files and programs that are gone, or corrupted.

It also wont let me access 'My documents', which is where my files are (or were infact).. it says 'Access denied' even though im the computer admin

And my C:drive is 142GB big. But yet only 20GB is available... i Can find where 50GB of it is, but 72GB is missing ??? i cant find it anywhere.

My computer is just a complete mess right now. And i cant think of anything to do but to format my hard drive and re-install XP. But i dont have an XP boot cd, nor know where to get one from

And to top it all off, BT have decided to mess about with my bloody broadband connection and now im having to use mobile broadband (which is not bad actually, but still slower than what im use too)

Aslong as i can use the internet, im ok for the time being.. but id like to get this sorted asap if i can..

Can anyone help me please.. im in a real pickle and open to whatever suggetions/advice you have.

Thanks.

P.s.. Microsoft Windows are going to recieve a very strongly worded email from me sooner or later!!

 

[RandyL]

Hi darrell;
This doesn't sound good at all. To begin with the update may have been malware and not a legit Windows update. Thus the beginning of your woes.

Secondly it appears you have run the compaq recovery program. With compaq and hp computers the only option is a destructive recovery most of the time. This would cause a loss of all data and all software would need to be reinstalled again. Of course this doesn't explain why you can see the files, access some and why shortcut icons still exist.

The hard drive size is not a major problem but everything else is. Like you said it's a real mess.

What is the exact make and model of this compaq? Perhaps the manual will give us your options. Be prepared for the worst though.

 

[darrell69]

Hi, thanks for your reply..

My computer is a Compaq Presario Athlon 64 3200+... i got it with Windows XP Home Edition OS already installed in 2005.

What's the worst case scenario ??.. if it's having to format my hard drive and re-install XP, i can cope with that. Yea, i will lose (if not already lost) a few irreplaceable files, but ill live lol.

 

[RandyL]

OK it's a Presario. It should also say something like 5000 US although that won't be yours. Also is this a desktop or laptop?

The worst case is all your files and programs are gone and since you didn't create the recovery cd's and since the recovery obviously isn't right you might or might not have a hard drive that is also going bad.

It might be possible or might not to obtain the cd's and replace the drive if that is the case. Otherwise it's a matter of replacing the drive and buying XP.

For now please provide the rest of the Compaq model information.

 

[darrell69]

Ok.. it dosnt say '5000 US', no. And its a desktop.

Have i missed part of the model info out ?

 

[Wolfeymole]

Have a look here Darrell for an example.

HP Products & Services

 

[RandyL]

Yes darrell it should say something after Presario. There are many different model numbers of Presario. 5000US was just an example.

 

[darrell69]

Ah right.. sorry.

Yea found it, it a Compaq Presario SR1000.

 

[RandyL]

OK there are are 76 SR1000 series. Which one is yours?

 

[darrell69]

Lol..blimey.

Ok, i dont have the manuels anymore so im going on what i can see on the stickers on the side and back of the tower block.

Compaq Presario SR1000 SR1420UK, maybe ??

 

[RandyL]

I think I found it.

 

[darrell69]

Oh great..

What, shall i have a look through to see if i can find anything that may help ??

 

[RandyL]

Obtaining a Recovery CD or DVD set 

 

[darrell69]

Thnaks... ive near enough finished creating a recovery dvd now.

Are these the steps i should follow to use it ??.. HERE

Although, quickly looking through, looks simular to what i did with the Compaq recovery.. just without the dvd.

 

[Wolfeymole]

That link you provided is broken Darrell, have you managed to make any recovery disks?

 

[darrell69]

Yes, its just finished.

This link should work..

Performing an HP System Recovery in Windows XP 

 

[Wolfeymole]

I know you have images etc you would like to keep Darrell but that box sounds to be in such a sorry state that to me the best way forward would be to follow those guidelines.

 

[darrell69]

Yea, i agree. Its ok, ive considered them gone now anyways.. Cant be helped now.

So, do i just follow the 'Recovering from recovery discs' guide at the bottom ?? or the whole lot ??

 

[Wolfeymole]

Yes, from the disks.

You can try to regain windows back to what it was before by pressing R but the operating system may have been so badly damaged that you are left in the same position as when you first wrote this post.

Pressing F to do a complete destructive recovery will ensure that the system will be back to factory condition.

 

[darrell69]

Ok.. thankyou for your help. I will start now and post back later.