Registry FIx from MS DOS - XP - Experts Only Please?

Question

HI I have a PC Under XP (Home ) that boots to desktop - shows the Background picture - but no icons - no start menu just the desktop picture - Booting in safe mode = same (black background) Safe mode in all 4 corners no Icons no Start menu. Start from XP Home - goto recovery console - run scan disk etc same result - I did see a command A while ago - when booting with an MS DOS (ME) startup Disk something like regfix / f or similar - but cant remember the exact command or syntax - Any one any Ideas ? Thanks

Answer 1

I'm really curious if you've tried System Restore... it works like magic if you use it within a couple days that you recognized the problem. Start/Programs/Accessoris/System Tools/Restore. If you press F8 while booting - there is a choice to boot to safe mode OR restore.... click the restore....

Also - what you're looking for is: CHKDSK - there are a couple of switches shown below.

Manual steps to run Chkdsk

Manual steps to run Chkdsk at the command prompt
1. Click Start, and then Run.
2. In Open, type cmd, and then press ENTER.
3. Use one of the following procedures: • To run Chkdsk in read-only mode, at the command prompt, type chkdsk, and then press ENTER.
• To repair errors without scanning the volume for bad sectors, at the command prompt, type chkdsk volume:/f, and then press ENTER.

Note If one or more of the files on the hard disk are open, you will receive the following message:
Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)
Type Y, and then press ENTER to schedule the disk check, and then restart your computer to start the disk check.
• To repair errors, locate bad sectors, and recover readable information, at the command prompt, type chkdsk volume:/r, and then press ENTER.

Note If one or more of the files on the hard disk are open, you will receive the following message:
Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)
Type Y, and then press ENTER to schedule the disk check, and then restart your computer to start the disk check.

Answer 2

Use your Windows XP disc and enter the System Recovery console by pressing R after it has loaded the files that it needs to perform a new installation. This will be the first prompt screen. Once in the recovery console use FIXMBR. This will fix the master boot record and should correct this error.

It is definitely possible that this is the cause of a virus or spyware as mentioned below, but this fix will allow the desktop with all the icons to load up again. Then you can run virus and spyware checks to make sure you get your system clean. I assure you that this fix exists. I have used it multiple times.

Answer 3

There isn't such a command for recovery console as far as I know. If there was Microsoft would not give you so much info as it does below for restoring the registry.

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

As for your problem, some part of my doubts that it's actually the registry. The fix mentioned above should help though as it will contain a copy of the registry as it was before some component of spyware or virus infected your system. Hope the Ms Fix helps.

If it does not work you might need to do a repair install of XP or a fresh install.

Answer 4

Don't use WIn ME to fix Win XP!!

when your computer boots.. hit CTRL-ALT-DEL and when the taskmanager starts up and Applications selected use the File, New Task (RUN) and type in "explorer"

you should get your icons and start bar back temporarily.

What you should do is boot from your Win XP CD.. procede as for a NEW install up until it finds the OLDER installation of Windows then select repair and after it fixes itself your computer should be as good as new.. except that you will have to go to Microsoft and get all the newer updates/patches.

Answer 5

Try using the "last known good" option:
Boot your PC and before the Windows logo appears hit F8.
Choose Last Known Good Configuration.

If any device drivers have been installed that are interfering with startup, this will return your system to a state that worked before.
It doesn't always work, but it's so easy it's worth a try.

Answer 6

hi jphman, i hate to give bad news but it is not too bad let me discribe your problem like this you can understand that you are having registry problems, right? but here is something that you domn't know ms dos is actually a helps to maintain your system so before i suggest you take your computer to a computer repairman let's see if we can fix it. hit start>settings>control panel hit the internet options icon under general tab delete your history and delete your cookies don't worry nothing will happen like your computer blowing up. then exit out back to your desktop hit start>programs>accessories>system tools scrol down to defragment this will take awhile so go watch some tube. if after it is completely done defragmenting you still have the problem then take your tower and your software that came with your computer to the repairman and tell him you have a virus and he will format your hard drive with new drivers and it will run like a brand new one. good luck hope i was helpful to you

Answer 7

Hi. the command you're talking about is to return the registry to the way before it has been change. like system restore in xp.
the best thing you should do is to re-install windows again. other option is to start in command promot only and type: scanreg/ restore. i hope this would help.