Friends Computer F**ed up

[orcutt989]

Hey everyone. My friend's computer has gone apeshit. It has 256 ram, and a 1 ghz processor with windows me. The thing is, when it boots up to the desktop, all these errors start happening. I think some mcaffe program has an error, then a dll has an error, and then the computer really starts slowing down and messing up, and then it says explorer had an error, and I have to click ok for all of these things to go away, and when I click ok for explorer, the whole computer freezes, and it does the same thing in safe mode. I cant access any restore points, how can I fix is computer without reformatting? I dont want to have to do that, but if I have to, then I want to know how I can save some files? Help!

EDIT: I forgot to mention, that after all of these errors happen, one is unable to do anything on the computer, cant open folders, cant open start icon, cant ctrl+alt+delete either..

[zapjb]

1st its ME. So imo(e) you're SOL. 2nd I believe the file system is FAT32. So you could try running the HDD as a slave in another Win OS running FAT32. There are programs that let puters running NTFS read FAT32. Then as soon as you can put 2000 or 98se on that puppy. GL.

[Wolfmight]

Make a copy of BartPE on another computer and you'll be able to copy the files to another hardrive or partition. http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
It uses WindowsXP, but it's extremely barebone and runs off the CD. 1ghz with 256mb ram should be able to run it.

[Virtualbody1234]

... There are programs that let puters running NTFS read FAT32...
Systems running NTFS can read FAT32. No program needed.

[Wolfmight]

... There are programs that let puters running NTFS read FAT32...
Systems running NTFS can read FAT32. No program needed.
indeed. I use FAT32 to copy files from OSX to Windows XP on my External Hardrive. There is a 4GB limit for files though, but that's not a problem for me. OSX reads and writes Fat32, but can only read NTFS. Once I connect the hardrive to Windows XP, I copy the files of that small FAT32 partition onto the larger NTFS one. works like a charm.

[zapjb]

OK maybe it's the other way round.

[orcutt989]

Okay so can you guys like guide me what to do? I dont really understand what you guys mean. I have a general understanding of computers and their components so you dont have to dumb it down too much, just tell me what I need to do. Thanks in advance, I can see from what you guys have told me I should have luck with this, I just need to know what to do!

[zaphodiv]

, how can I fix is computer without reformatting?
You can't fix it without deleting the windows directory or formatting. If it has windows ME on it it is broken by design.


how I can save some files? Help!

As zapjb has already mentioned you can get some screwdrivers, remove the
harddrive and put it in another computer as secondary drive. Take basic anti static precautions such as touching a bare metal part of the case before touching circuit boards and not working on it on a nylon carpet.
You will probably need to change the jumper setting on the drive to make
it a secondary.

Alterativley you may be able to find a boot CD that will recognise the network card so you can copy files to anther computer over the network.


Okay so can you guys like guide me what to do?

Obtain install media for an operating system that works properly such as windows XP. Check for availabity of hardware drivers.

Copy all the important files onto seperate media. Make a second backup copy. Remember things like microsoft outlook mailbox's in windows\application data\outlook

Either delete everything on the harddrive or put in a different one just in case you missed some important files.

Install windows 2000 or XP. Either a)before connecting the computer to the internet install a personal firewall and set it to block incoming connections or
b)put it online behind a NAT router for basic protection.
Install hundreds of megabytes of updates from windows update.

Install an alternative browser and hide the IE icons. Firefox 1.5 has some issues, you probably want to use an older version such as 1.07, link (, how can I fix is computer without reformatting? I dont want to have to do that, but if I have to, then I want to know how I can save some files? Help!
)

Install three dozens applications such as acrobat reader, cb burning software, winamp, videolan etc.

Burn the windows ME CD while muttering obscenitys about Microsoft and Bill Gates.

[orcutt989]

You can't fix it without deleting the windows directory or formatting. If it has windows ME on it it is broken by design.


how I can save some files? Help!
As zapjb has already mentioned you can get some screwdrivers, remove the
harddrive and put it in another computer as secondary drive. Take basic anti static precautions such as touching a bare metal part of the case before touching circuit boards and not working on it on a nylon carpet.
You will probably need to change the jumper setting on the drive to make
it a secondary.

Alterativley you may be able to find a boot CD that will recognise the network card so you can copy files to anther computer over the network.


Okay so can you guys like guide me what to do?
Obtain install media for an operating system that works properly such as windows XP. Check for availabity of hardware drivers.

Copy all the important files onto seperate media. Make a second backup copy. Remember things like microsoft outlook mailbox's in windows\application data\outlook

Either delete everything on the harddrive or put in a different one just in case you missed some important files.

Install windows 2000 or XP. Either a)before connecting the computer to the internet install a personal firewall and set it to block incoming connections or
b)put it online behind a NAT router for basic protection.
Install hundreds of megabytes of updates from windows update.

Install an alternative browser and hide the IE icons. Firefox 1.5 has some issues, you probably want to use an older version such as 1.07, link (http://,%20how%20can%20I%20fix%20is%20computer%20without%20reformatting?%20I%20dont%20want%20to%20have%20to%20do%20that,%20but%20if%20I%20have%20to,%20then%20I%20want%20to%20know%20how%20I%20can%20save%20some%20files?%20Help%21%3Cbr%20/%3E)

Install three dozens applications such as acrobat reader, cb burning software, winamp, videolan etc.

Burn the windows ME CD while muttering obscenitys about Microsoft and Bill Gates.
Alright, I have a copy of Windows Xp Pro Corp, can I use that? And then I just load it in, and boot from the disk? And then just copy what he needs to like a ton of floppy disks, or burn them to cds? (He just needs photography that he didnt save on flash memory). If that would work I dont see any need of switching the hdd's, I wouldnt want to fuck up another computer.

[zapjb]

My fn quote button isn't working atm.
"Alright, I have a copy of Windows Xp Pro Corp, can I use that? And then I just load it in, and boot from the disk? And then just copy what he needs to like a ton of floppy disks, or burn them to cds? (He just needs photography that he didnt save on flash memory). If that would work I dont see any need of switching the hdd's, I wouldnt want to fuck up another computer."

Nope reread the previous answers. He'll lose all his data if you do that.

[zaphodiv]

Floppys!!
Well apart from the fact it will take days to shift any significant amount, yes you should be able to boot it and copy data to floppys. You may be able to use the recovery console on your xp corp disk to get to a command prompt. You will need to know the dos commands "dir" "cd" and "copy".

I not certain the XP recovery console will work on an ME installation but it probably will. IF not a win98 boot floopy should get you to command prompt.

I estimate the bandwidth of floppy disks to be about 25 megabytes an hour, assuming have the common problem of another computer not reading the floppy you have just written. Floppys are horriflyingly unreliable these days.

>He'll lose all his data if you do that.
Only if he chooses to format and install xp.

[zapjb]

That's what he said.

[Chewie]

How do we know this isn't a hardware problem? It doesn't sound like software.

What do the errors say, exactly? I mean the exact wording.
Are they the same errors on every boot or different?
Are there any strange noises, like a loud click from inside?

I ask because if it's a memory fault, nothing but repacement is necessary. If it's a hard drive fault, then the quickest and easiest solution is to buy another, install Windows on it with the original as slave and copy over the files.

Of course, if it's a Windows SNAFU, then installing ME over itself will cure most ills and give you time & the opportunity to backup before upgrading to XP.

[Chewie]

"I went over to a friend's house the other day. He was having problems with his computer and he asked me to look at it, and I realized he had Windows Me and it's like, oh no—that's your first problem."-Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell.
That's a brilliant quote. Obviously the word irony isn't part of his vocabulary. :lol:

[orcutt989]

That's what he said.

Alright, I have a copy of Windows Xp Pro Corp, can I use that? And then I just load it in, and boot from the disk? And then just copy what he needs to like a ton of floppy disks, or burn them to cds? (He just needs photography that he didnt save on flash memory). If that would work I dont see any need of switching the hdd's, I wouldnt want to fuck up another computer.
No that is what I said. I didnt think I said "reinstall the OS" anywhere in there. You guys were saying that I could boot xp from my disk, and then copy the files he needs to cd's or floppys.


And @ Chewie, there were no strange sounds, and the errors were the same each time I booted to the desktop. First it was about some mcaffe updating exe, and said it had an error, I click okay, then it says some dll file has an error, and I click okay, then it says explorer has an error, I click ok and the computer freezes. And IM not able to do anything except click okay, while these errors are happening. I think a while back I tried to remove some useless programs from starting up, and I might have stopped something else by accident, I dont know.

[orcutt989]

*oops

[Chewie]

OK, re-install Windows over the top of itself - it'll only take 30-40 minutes and doing so should give you a large 'window' to backup everything before upgrading.

[orcutt989]

Okay, so I need to have my friend find the ME install disk? Or can I use my XP cd to do this? And will it allow me to burn files to cd, or just to floppies?

[Chewie]

Use your friends Windows ME CD - as long as it's a 'proper' disc, not a 'restore disc'.
If it's a 'restore disc' (popular with Compaq, HP, PB, Tiny, Dell etc) then using it would wipe all data and leave you with the machine as it came from the 'factory'. In this case, the installation files are stored on the hard drive, although I don't recall the exact location, sorry!

[orcutt989]

Okay, so he has a compaq, and this is the same thing I was telling him I would do, but everytime I asked him where his disc was, he said NOO THAT WILL ERASE EVERYTHING, so I assume it is the "restore" disc, and he doesnt have a proper disc. Could I *get* my own copy of ME and do this cd boot thing to backup his files?

[dodgy368]

Remove his hard drive and take it home, put it on your pc as a slave, copy the files he wants to cd, take it back to his house and put it in his pc, insert xp disc and install, sorted.;)

[zapjb]

Stop trying to simplify this dodgy368.:lol:

OP wants it exactly his way.:w00t:

[orcutt989]

Stop trying to simplify this dodgy368.:lol:

OP wants it exactly his way.:w00t:

Who is OP?, and I want this as simple as possible. I dont know if I want to do the whole hard drive thing because I dont want to screw anything up, ive never done that before. I just thought it would be easier to do it chewie's way... Jeez.

[peat moss]

Okay, so he has a compaq, and this is the same thing I was telling him I would do, but everytime I asked him where his disc was, he said NOO THAT WILL ERASE EVERYTHING, so I assume it is the "restore" disc, and he doesnt have a proper disc. Could I *get* my own copy of ME and do this cd boot thing to backup his files?




Ok listen back away from his computer "slowly" and remind your friend your just trying to help ! Windows ME is anought of a problem but Macfee antivirus too ?

Your screwed ! :O But have been in your shoes too , If all else fails try updating with XP pro . Good luck tho you trying too hard . :)

[orcutt989]

Okay the way it looks like now, is ill just get my own copy of ME, and try to go that route, booting from the cd, and backing up some shitte!