Tori's Computer is Broken

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  • Trevor Schell
    Moderator Emeritus
    • Aug 2000
    • 10935

    Tori's Computer is Broken

    Hi Guys!!

    I am sad to say that my daughter Tori's
    Dell PentiumII 266MHZ computer won't start up.
    We get the error message that reads..


    ERROR STARTING PROGRAM
    A requirded .DLL file. C\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\COMCTL32.DLL.
    was not found.


    When you click on the OK button ,you get the same message
    about 7 times , then you get this one.

    Open Setup Lib
    Unable to load setupapi.dll
    Is this a WDM O/S


    When you click on the OK button, you get the same message
    about 3 times , then you get this one.

    Error Loading Explorer.exe.
    You must reinstall Windows


    The O/S is Windows ME
    The help I am looking for is to find a way to fix this without
    having to re-install the software O/S
    If I have to Re-install the software, then I need direction
    on where to start with that, Safe mode? ETC,,What to type in ETCC..

    Thanks for any help.
    Tori is desperate to play Cub Chase , which is her favorite game.
    Apperently this is the game she was playing when the computer
    broke.
    Trevor



    XBOX 360 CARD
  • Kevin P
    Member
    • Aug 2000
    • 10809

    #2
    It looks to me like the OS got corrupted somehow. If you have a real Windows ME CD (not those joke of a "Restore CD" that major puter manufacturers provide these days), try booting off it and doing a repair, or reinstall the OS over itself. Just boot off the CD and follow the prompts.

    Try booting to Safe Mode as well. Hit F8 just before Windows starts to load, and you'll see a menu, with Safe Mode as one of the options. If you can get to a desktop or a DOS prompt, run scandisk, to see if you have any errors.

    Comment

    • Bing Fung
      Ultra Senior Member
      • Aug 2000
      • 6521

      #3
      Doesn't look good Trev :x

      If you can get to safe mode buy pressing F8 before windows starts, maybe check this link out to try and reinstall the required DLL. http://www.createwindow.com/wininfo/comctl32.htm

      First see if there is a restore or something....

      Other than that, I can come over and destroy it some more :B
      Bing

      Comment

      • Claude D D
        Senior Member
        • Jan 2003
        • 465

        #4
        Just call Ryan at Computer Trends in Saskatoon.You'll see how inexpensive it is to upgrade into a better machine.They'll even take your old one in on trade.

        Comment

        • Kevin P
          Member
          • Aug 2000
          • 10809

          #5
          Originally posted by Claude D D
          Just call Ryan at Computer Trends in Saskatoon.You'll see how inexpensive it is to upgrade into a better machine.They'll even take your old one in on trade.
          There you go Trev, Tori needs a new machine. Time to have Bing help you build TTP II, Tori's Tower of Power! :-y

          After all, we all know that Trevor never fixes anything anyway, he just buys a new one! :B

          Comment

          • Shane Martin
            Super Senior Member
            • Apr 2001
            • 2852

            #6
            While you could just install the OS over itself and it should work just fine I'd investigate getting another PC. You shouldn't need to go overboard considering what it is being used for.

            Heck a $500 Dell would probably do the trick.

            Either way if you boot into safe mode that should allow you to install it over itself or just boot from the CD. I think you can repair that way IIRC.

            Comment

            • Trevor Schell
              Moderator Emeritus
              • Aug 2000
              • 10935

              #7
              Thanks for the responses.
              We won't be upgrading this PC,,
              Just want to fix it up.
              Anyways,
              I can't boot into safe mode.
              Actually I can , but get hung up with the same errors and messages.

              I have a boot, start up disk for ME.
              I can get to the DOS prompt.
              Can I start up a reinstall from there some how?
              Trevor



              XBOX 360 CARD

              Comment

              • Bing Fung
                Ultra Senior Member
                • Aug 2000
                • 6521

                #8
                Hey Trev, if you're going to reinstall from the Start up floppy, have your ME CD ready.

                Place the floppy in and power on the PC, the PC should then ask if you want to start the PC with CD rom Support.

                Select yes and then place the ME disk in the CD ROM when asked. Windows will then start to install. sit back and enjoy.

                Take this opportunity to play around and learn. You'll actually be surprised and how much fun it can actually be.

                :T

                If you get stuck, give me a call, you have my cell 8)
                Bing

                Comment

                • Trevor Schell
                  Moderator Emeritus
                  • Aug 2000
                  • 10935

                  #9
                  That would work.
                  However, for some reason I can not find my ME disc.. :M
                  I do have Windows 95 and the Windows 98 upgrade disc..
                  Will the ME start-up disc work with those?

                  I figure I would have to install 95 first then 98 afterwards,
                  since the 98 is the upgrade version..Am I right on that..?:huh:
                  Trevor



                  XBOX 360 CARD

                  Comment

                  • Kevin P
                    Member
                    • Aug 2000
                    • 10809

                    #10
                    You should have a ME disc, otherwise you'd have to reformat and install '98. Maybe it's time to pick up a copy of XP (bleah) for Tori's PC... or get a new PC!

                    If you use the 98 upgrade CD, it'll just ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version (the '95 CD will suffice), so you don't have to install 95 and upgrade to 98.

                    Comment

                    • Bing Fung
                      Ultra Senior Member
                      • Aug 2000
                      • 6521

                      #11
                      Trev, I would just install 98 instead of ME


                      The ME start up floppy will be fine to boot the system and get you to "setup with CD Rom Support"

                      Then just insert your Upgrade 98 disk. it will run through some checks and then ask you to insert you 95 disk. Insert your 95 disk and then reinsert your 98 disk when prompt. It's goofy but actually it's pretty instructive and intuitive once you get going.

                      If you really want ME, I have a ME OS you can have as I no longer use it.
                      Bing

                      Comment

                      • Trevor Schell
                        Moderator Emeritus
                        • Aug 2000
                        • 10935

                        #12
                        The ME start up floppy will be fine to boot the system and get you to "setup with CD Rom Support"
                        This is where I am now,,
                        So what do I type to inststall Windows 98.
                        My CD drive is K it says..

                        Sorry , I just don't have much experience while
                        in DOS..

                        Thanks,
                        Trevor



                        XBOX 360 CARD

                        Comment

                        • Bing Fung
                          Ultra Senior Member
                          • Aug 2000
                          • 6521

                          #13
                          Humm that is werid, it should have booted and then taken you to a set-up choices.

                          Type: CD A:\
                          Then: dir /p
                          look for a file called Setup

                          If it's there type: Setup.exe, or .Bat or what ever the .* extension of it is. That should start the set up routine.
                          Bing

                          Comment

                          • aud19
                            Twin Moderator Emeritus
                            • Aug 2003
                            • 16706

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Kevin P
                            You should have a ME disc, otherwise you'd have to reformat and install '98. Maybe it's time to pick up a copy of XP (bleah) for Tori's PC... or get a new PC!
                            I think he might have to get a new PC if he wants XP 8O I doubt his 266 would run it all that well especially considering it probably has 128Mb of RAM or less... 8O (Just a guess based on the processor and what was common at the time)

                            Jason
                            Jason

                            Comment

                            • Trevor Schell
                              Moderator Emeritus
                              • Aug 2000
                              • 10935

                              #15
                              This little 266 mhz PC is packing some punch.
                              512megs Ram and a Voodoo5 64 meg graphics card.. :lol:

                              Bing,, I'll try what you said.
                              Trevor



                              XBOX 360 CARD

                              Comment

                              • Trevor Schell
                                Moderator Emeritus
                                • Aug 2000
                                • 10935

                                #16
                                Sorry Guys,
                                But I will need line by line direction on what to do once
                                I get into DOS.
                                Bing,, Typing in CD/a didn't work.

                                This computer is goping to get one of these........:frypan:
                                Trevor



                                XBOX 360 CARD

                                Comment

                                • Andrew Pratt
                                  Moderator Emeritus
                                  • Aug 2000
                                  • 16507

                                  #17
                                  Trev once you get the dos prompt it will likely be at the C:\ drive. You'll need to then type k:\setup.exe and hit enter (assuming "K" is still your CDROM)

                                  Comment

                                  • Trevor Schell
                                    Moderator Emeritus
                                    • Aug 2000
                                    • 10935

                                    #18
                                    Andrew, that's correct, In that K is my CD drive.
                                    I tried what you said, but get an error.

                                    Not ready reading drive K
                                    Abort, Retry
                                    Trevor



                                    XBOX 360 CARD

                                    Comment

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