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Thread ID: 26432 2002-10-27 06:24:00 Help me I've stuffed up my Computer! jordan_XP (1994) Press F1
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93426 2002-10-27 06:24:00 Hi. I am running windows xp pro (sp1) and I have done a very very stupid thing. I wanted to change the boot screen, so I downloaded some boot screens, fine. I made it so that at startup i had a choice between the normal boot screen, and the un-normal boot screen, fine. Then i wanted to make the un-normal boot screen into the default one. So, i booted in safe mode and overwrite the normal ntroskrnl (i think it was called) with the un-normal one, mistake. Now whenever i boot up it uses the downloaded boot screen as the default one. BUT, after the boot screen has done its stuff, the computer screen goes blank, I hear a 'click' and the computer restarts. Ive tried every boot up option from the list of advanced startup options (safe mode, safe mode with command propmpt etc...) none of which work. Have I completely stuffed up my computer. Please help me! jordan_XP (1994)
93427 2002-10-27 08:32:00 Hmmmmm........

Seems like expertise on your problem is short tonight so here's a few suggestions to go on with. The file name you deleted (or overwrote) doesn't sound like a boot screen to me, anything with nt at the front and krnl on the end sounds too much like core programming for comfort.

1) Try reinstalling XP, it won't upset anything you haven't already munged and will probably restore the missing file for you.

2) Never overwrite or delete any file unless you are 100% sure and know exactly what you are doing. Even then, don't do it late at night or when you are in a hurry or otherwise distracted. Always rename by changing the last letter of the file type thus: filename.ex_ If all goes well you can delete it later.

3) If XP has system restore, activate it and use that in future. If you plan to make your computer unbootable via creative botching, invest in Norton Ghost or similar disk imaging software and keep a copy that you can restore using a boot disk. That way it doesn't matter how badly you mess up, you can get it all back quickly and easily.

4) If (1) doesn't work, post more info about what you did.

5) If it does work, post and tell us as others might need that info in the future and can find it by searching F1.

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
93428 2002-10-27 18:12:00 Will re-installing to os overwrite my programs etc? jordan_XP (1994)
93429 2002-10-27 18:42:00 *the jordan_XP (1994)
93430 2002-10-27 19:56:00 If you're just reinstalling Windows (ie not reformatting) then your programs and data will stay as they are. Windows will just put back what is missing but you will probably have to redo your customised settings on how you like Windows to look. Susan B (19)
93431 2002-10-27 20:03:00 Remember that since windows wont boot (the file you were fiddling is a key component) it may only leave it the choice of an install, not a repair.

That would usually mean reinstalling all the applications.

Unless you are always happy to do this, you shouldn't fiddle with the system files I guess.
godfather (25)
93432 2002-10-27 22:51:00 yeah i know :8} jordan_XP (1994)
93433 2002-10-27 22:53:00 would i be able to fix it if i took out the hard drive and put it into another computer as a slave drive? jordan_XP (1994)
93434 2002-10-27 22:58:00 provided you know exactly what you changed, and you change that one file exactly back i recon you've got a good chance... you certainly have nothing to lose ]:), so why not try it? Clueless (181)
93435 2002-10-27 23:01:00 yep the only file i changed was ntoskrnl.exe. and i backed up the original one before i changed it. jordan_XP (1994)
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