Serious Problem(s) in XP after I.M.F. Scan

Once again, I have somehow, seemingly,*FRIED*the*XP*machine.

In a scan with the (new?) iObit Malware Fighter program, it claimed to have caught "7" (seven) bugs/problems/etc.

As such, I moved to quarantine them (though I believe that was merely a formality for me to "Confirm"), however, I.M.F. said something to the effect that it appeared some of these files it "caught", were 'critical' or 'important' or whatever-type of files, for the system to operate (that it might be unstable if I deleted them).*

I "attempted" to proceed, at which point IMF says: "Install XP SP3 "DISK" . . . ??? Well, I have the XP disk (ALL the disks that came with the machine 9 years ago), but I certainly don't have an XP, "SP3" Disk (would ANYONE have that??).

In any event, that machine is now MIS-operating (if there is such a word) . . . when it is started, I get the "Welcome" screen, but when I attempt to log-in*or sign-in (when I select either of the two User Accounts - one of which is the Admin),*it immediately jumps into*"Logging-OFF"mode...?????????????

I have NEVER seen such a thing, but then it seems most of the problems I ever have with computers, are things that no one has ever seen before...

I suppose after nine+ years, this Dell 4500S with XP is finally going to the garbage pile...I have NO clue what else I would do, as loading the original disks that we have doesn't seem to work...?

Yet another nightmare, for me.*

We are now down to the dreaded, VISTA machine -*only, which I will have to GIVE to mom, so that she has "SOMETHING" to play her games on and check her email, etc., whilst I will now be FORCED to purchase a laptop or notebook or netbook or "something" (which actually I had planned to to do anyway, although I had hoped to have that for work/business only).

The biggest problem with all of this is:*I have NEVER been able to get a printer to work with this Vista machine.

Nightmares...more Windows nightmares, for me........

So sorry - I thought sure I had replied to you here on this (I think I started a reply, but fell asleep last night 8-O

But yes, we very much would like this Dell (Inspiron 531) computer to connect with a Dell "Photo 926" (AIO) Printer.

And my "numbers are" just the opposite of yours - 4 printers tried - though I knew one was a VERY long-shot because it was made in Europe - FOR a European system/computer, and about 3 & 1/2 years of owning/trying with Vista (Home/Basic).

 

No, I don't think you're "missing" anything...it's just that I do this stuff (have to revert to F8/Safe Mode sort of stuff) so IN_frequently (I'm not in the tech industry as many of the folks here seem to be) that I just forget to do it, and what to do when/if I DO I get there (to that point).

I believe I tried it here, in this case (it's been a couple of days past now), but I couldn't seem to get that to work, and I can't get (that I know of??) to any Restore Points if I can't log-in...I can get to the "Welcome" screen, and that's as far as I can get...?

 

Hello,
If you have a Hirens Boot CD, you can do a partial system restore on a computer that will not boot.

Start > Programs > Registry Tools > Registry Restore Wizard

 

Well, I DO Greatly appreciate the help, and this is GREAT extra ammo should the time come, but I've got another "fix" in the works here (and also, I would, currently, have trouble getting to "Registry Tools > Registry Restore Wizard" when I cannot even get to "Registry Tools > Registry Restore Wizard" . . . ?).

Thanks,
g . . .
PS ~ But then my cranium is, currently - and at most times - running on fumes...in overdrive, so, it could well be that I'm missing something here....?).

 

I should have been clearer. When you boot the Hirens CD, you have to tell it to enter the MiniXP OS. This would be a standalone OS that would give you the opportunity to do a partial system restore offline. This would be similar to using a Linux Live CD like Puppy.

 

Got it - yes, thank you, often times I do need specificity and clarification...I'm a bit an "older" user, and have never worked in the tech-industry or any sort of computer work. I'm just an old HACK, I reckon...ha...

Thank you again very much !