Missing Shell32.dll on start up...

[AntonioAnsell]

Hey...

When trying to start up my Windows XP Home (SP1) it failed to boot up - saying, on a blue screen: "Application failed to start because Shell32.DLL is not found".

I tried to do a repair of the installation by using the Windows Recovery Consoul - it got to around 70% and it froze.

At this point I have tried to use the HP Quick Restore Windows Recovery CD, but part way through this (on disk 1 of 4) I get an error message of: Error 1802 Image File is Invalid or Corrupted" and that's as far as I can get.

I realise I have proberbly lost all my data - but I'm stuck on how to get the machine back to its defualt install.

By the way the laptop is an Compaq Presario 2500.

Thank you for your help and time in advance...
Antonio

 

[WingedTek]

At this point if you ran out of ideas to repair, I would simply take the drive and slave it in another computer. This way you can maybe see if your data is still on the drive and recover it asap. After your data is safe and sound, you might think either about a total reinstall of windows or try looking around microsofts website for a fix for the shell32.dll. I ran in to this acouple times before, sometimes windows recovery worked yet some failed and I had to do a reinstall of windows.

A+ and coming soon: Network +

 

[linney]

Try Safe Mode and see what happens?

To check your RAM.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

To check your Hard Drive.

The drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software to check your drive for problems.

You can also load the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to check for problems.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

You might be able to make use of BartPE (a mini XP self contained on a bootable CD and run from CD) which includes virus scanners and other tools via plugins.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/