Can I 'Repair' XP?

willydeluxe · Post by **willydeluxe** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:14 am

I know this is ever so slightly off topic but as the latest thing to happen is VS9 "encountering a problem and having to close" upon trying to start it, I thought I'd ask here.

My latest format and XP install is 5 days old. Yesterday I got a (genuine) Windows warning that some incorrect system files were present which might cause instability, and asked me to insert a cd of a Windows install that I don't have.
Windows is being very odd, Explorer often having to close, programs not closing when I tell them to, and now VS9 won't start - even after a re-install.

So, after all the ramble, my question is: Can I repair Winows if I boot from the cd, or is that just a gimmick? There is nothing important on the Windows partition - nothing that can't quickly be replaced, but I do have a second partition with several Gb's of Flightsim on it, which I'd be loathe to mess with.

Any suggestions appreciated.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:36 am

Yes, the Windows XP repair function does work.
I have fixed many broken computers for friends/relatives and a few times have had to use this function.
Before going down that path try the system file checker
http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

Steve J

willydeluxe · Post by **willydeluxe** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:36 pm

Thanks for the 'scannow' tip. Unfortunately I don't know if it did any good in the greater scheme of things as it ran then closed without any dialogue boxes at all, so I don't know if it found or fixed anything.

I re-installed VS9 but it still refuses to open.

I'll decide in a while - after I've calmed down a bit - between trying to repair - which might not resolve anything, or formatting the OS partition and installing clean.

Thanks again.

aqctv · Post by **aqctv** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:49 pm

try using system restore and restore it to a known working restore point..That should do the trick

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:09 pm

You could try a clean install of Video Studio.
Please follow the procedure found in the following link 5th post down the list. Thank you.
http://phpbb.ulead.com.tw/EN/viewtopic.php?t=11923

Steve J

willydeluxe · Post by **willydeluxe** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:29 am

Steve
In the end I bit the bullet and formatted and re-installed.

I'd love to say everything is ok - but get this: Media Player plays some of my clips (unedited avi's, edits done in Moviemaker, edits done in VS9) with totally freaked-out colours. The clips it plays badly are completely random; ie; only some of one type and some of another.
They play fine with VLC player which is the only other player I have. I only hope that they burn ok whenever I get around to that.

Thanks for your help.

Xyzzy2 · Post by **Xyzzy2** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 7:51 am

If your CPU is overclocked, lower frequency to nominal spec. Check RAM with some diagnostic program. Check in BIOS if all settings (frequencies, voltages, timings) are nominal.
You may also check cables of your hard drives.

X.

willydeluxe · Post by **willydeluxe** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 11:19 am

Surely a hardware problem would mean that all clips would play badly on all players? For example, it plays some downloaded and un-edited avi's fine, and others not: and some edited ones fine and others not: the same with mpegs.
And surely serious hardware malfunction/malconfiguration/stress would show itself elsewhere?

Everything else seems - at least for the moment - to be fine, but thanks for the heads-up.

Xyzzy2 · Post by **Xyzzy2** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:14 pm

The first thing to suspect would be some kind of malware, but if you say that on plain system (especially not connected to net from beginning of the Windows installation to appearance of problems), the problem also occurrs I suspect hardware.

The symptoms of subtle hardware problems (like minor problems with RAM) are often very strange and just like you describe- some things work, some not with no apparent reason.

You may also check your system for overheating and upgrade device drivers.

X.

harperv · Post by **harperv** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:03 pm

are you 100% sure this was a real windows message. there was something going around a few weeks ago which was a trojan or something in the name of Winfix or something similar.
I cant remember exactly. either my nortons or one of my spyware programs got rid of it but it was a really bad one which if you opened it took you to an aparent microsoft site.
sounds like your system needs professional help

harperv · Post by **harperv** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:16 pm

please check this out. I have a horrible feeling this is your problem

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/av ... fixer.html

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:29 pm

I don't agree with the previous poster but check out this link pertaining to WinFixer http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/pest ... =453094807

WinFixer is adware and can pose a threat to your system but I daubt it would create symptoms like you describe. One never knows though and would strongly suggest to scan your system with at least 3 different spyware removal tools. SpyBot, PestPatrol, AdAware are some that spring to mind.

harperv · Post by **harperv** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:15 pm

Heinz i was just trying to help and it definitely sounded like winfixer. i never run anything like this without checking it out and just did what i normally did check symantec first.
I was told by a computor tech in passing that it could cause all kinds of instability if opened and if winfixer was used so i was just passing on the info.
I work on the principle its best to check everything and i hope you are right and this is not his problem

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:35 pm

Sorry if I left the impression that I didn't trust your motives. Nothing could be further from the truth and every input is appreciated.

I don't think this is his problem though, that's why I suggested to check further. If it is, it can easily be fixed by a number of different means, not only symantec.

My believe that WinFixer is not his problem is mostly based on his assurance that he reformatted his system drive and did a fresh install. I suspect some problem with hardware, memory or cabling.

harperv · Post by **harperv** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 12:46 am

"Yesterday I got a (genuine) Windows warning that some incorrect system files were present which might cause instability, and asked me to insert a cd of a Windows install that I don't have." as willy said

when i got the original window i did a search on winfixer and it led me to check at the nortons site. i ran my spyware etc and had no problems as i just closed the window.
Willy does seem to have received something similar if you check on how winfixer works.
sorry i am reading and posting in two threads.

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Can I 'Repair' XP?

Can I 'Repair' XP?

Heinz this is what made me suspicious