Win xp is down, working through Recovery Console - plz help

[Asha]

One of the SP2 Updates made my cdrw and dvd disappear. I uninstalled SP2 and was removing updates one at a time to figure out which one was giving me the problem, the system went into a restart and all it does is reboot. I downloaded Win XP Home Edition Utility from Microsoft to boot up and I am in the recovery console, however, I am stuck there. Microsoft has not been able to get me unto my desktop. The only drive I have available is the A: - I tried uninstalling the updates thru console with the BATCH command, however, it tells me the command is not recognized.
I do not have WIN xp cd's because all I received is the recovery disc.
Prior to this I had purchased a dvd combo from Benq. I installed it in place of the cdrw, when I start the computer, it recognized it, however, I am not able to use it. (just thought it might work). Can someone please help me with this. Thanks! :cry:

[Prometheus]

Thats quite odd. I've never heard of anything like this. Uninstall ALL of the updates from the recovery updates. Then see if that works.

For future reference. SP2 is useless dont download it. All it does is make your computer slow up.

Just a note, nice to see another female techie on the site. Theyre an oppressed breed.

[Asha]

Hello Prometheus,
Thanks Bud! I am unable to remove the updates thru Recovery Console, the BATCH command is not working - what other avenues can I take?
The $NTUninstallKBxxxxxxx$ directories are there, as well as the spuninst\spuninst.exe, but I cannot get it to execute.

[partofme1337]

yeah i hate sp2 also. IT made my comp screw up when i downloaded it so i got rid of it. plus now they found a HUGE exploit in it.

[Prometheus]

It doesnt agree with 64 bit systems it seems. Unless its preinstalled. I have a special edition of windows that comes with Windows XP corp sp2 with Office and a bunch of useful programs preinstalled and a lot of updates.

[partofme1337]

I ahve an intel 32bit and it was still stupid i had 2 firewalls. But i lost all of my data cause my hard drive caught on fire click the link in my sig to see it.

[Asha]

I downloaded it from Support.Microsoft.com

[Prometheus]

lol harsh.

I dont use ANY firewalls besides my router.

I dont use AV. (common sense wors fine)

[partofme1337]

Yeah. I didnt have anti virus but i had spybot and adaware.

[Asha]

partofme1337 - wow, that's aweful! well, I'll keep checking back. Right now I am at work using my supervisor's pc, so I have to log off soon.
Thanks guys! If you run into any solutions, please let me know!

[Prometheus]

I told you to try uninstalling the updates.

[Asha]

Hey, you didn't read my response - I've tried to uninstall them - it is not working.

[Prometheus]

Windows is strange with that. You may just need to format :( sorry its the sad truth about windows. You can solve all your problems by deleting them. Prior to that though.

Download the Knoppix LIVE disc. Its a linux boot disc that allows you to save your files from the partion and back them up and burn them to a disc or something.

Sorry to be the harbringer of bad news.

[partofme1337]

yeah see if you can back the stuff you need up then wipe and reinstall

[vee_ess]

Windows restarts in case of any stop (ie. Windows stops responding, or a [corrupt] file causes a critical system error). Some file is likely corrupt in the files required to boot, causing it to restart.

To find this file, hold F8 down just before Windows starts booting and continue holding it until advanced boot options show. Select Safe Mode with command prompt. Watch and see how far it gets before it restarts, if it restarts. Let us know the results. Also try replacing the ntdetect and NT Loader files, as shown here (http://www.techwarelabs.com/community/viewtopic.php?p=33386#33386).

First thing I would do is to disable all performance functions in the BIOS, especially those related to RAM. Also, specifically try having the memory hole enabled as well as disabled. Windows locks up or reboots if that specific memory address range cannot be overwritten. Some systems will only work with it enabled, others only with it disabled.

The next thing to try would be to press and hold F8 as Windows starts to load to get the boot options. Go to Last Known Good Configuration.

If those don't work, try to use System Restore. To do this, you'll have to go to the boot options again by holding F8 as Windows begins to boot. This time, select Safe Mode with command prompt. Run %windir%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe with %windir% being your Windows directory.

[Asha]

Thanks, I'll try that. I went ahead and purchased another hard drive, just got up with that one. I can always use the other for extra storage after I get it back up and retrieve my data.

[ninikins]

Have you tried all this? I'm juts wondering how are you doing as a friend has a similar problem going on and is not really getting any closer to a solution it seems