Need Help - Windows XP Home Will Not Load

This is my first post - I have used this site many times for the forum and downloads, so I want to say thank you ahead of time.

My wife's computer (~2001 model Sony Vaio PCV-RX560) will not load Windows XP Home (preinstalled on the system) after I made some updates. Her computer was infected with the Virtumonde virus (had the desktop background showing WIN32/Adware.Virtumonde and WIN32/PrivacyRemover.M64 were found). After searching previous posts/threads on the site, I started the "READ & RUN ME FIRST Before Asking for Support" procedure. I deleted lots of old programs first via the "Uninstall Malware via Add/Remove Programs " step. The I performed the "Updating Sun Java" step. However, when I attempted to install the latest version it had a note that MS Service Packs needed to be installed.

I then went to the Microsoft download page and installed Windows XP Service Pack 1a with no problems. I then tried to install Service Pack 2 when I encountered problems with it loading a couple of files. The first one showed "Setup cannot copy the file ntoskrnl.exe. ensure that the location specified below is correct or change it and insert Windows XP System File in the drive you specify" - I hit cancel and proceeded without installing that file. The next one was "Setup cannot copy the file sysrestp.chm" - I canceled and then tried to proceed, but the SP2 install stopped. It then went through an uninstall process to revert back to the previous set-up.

I rebooted the computer and it would not load Windows XP - it went to the Safe Mode Screen. None of the options allows Windows XP to boot and it keeps resetting back to the main Safe Mode Screen.

I have the original System Recovery CDs, but need a little guidance before I proceed any further - as I do not want to lose any of the files on the hard drive (lots of pictures that were not backed up prior to this isssue - dumb me). With the first install disk, after accepting the Terms & Conditions, a screen shows "WARNING: The D Drive Not Found" and continues with "The D drive is not accessible. Some software applications may not work properly when the D drive is not accessible, Type Y to delete all partitions and create the C and D drives. Type N to continue to the restore process without creating a D drive". I believe that all of the pictures were saved to My Documents on the D drive.

Any suggestions on which option to choose and what effect it will have on the hard drive?

 

Sounds to me like your HD is starting to go bad.
Its a good idea to try and copy those images off the HD from another computer right away.
Do you have an original XP Home CD (not a recovery cd)? If you do, try and do a repair install after you've gotten the images off.
If you dont have an XP home CD, maybe you can borrow one from a friend.
A repair install should not affect your personal files.

 

Yeah. Boot from the Recovery Disk, Install Disk, whatever the manufacturer calls it. After you are booted, press r at the Welcome to Windows Installation screen.
Press 1, then enter.
Press enter for the second prompt.
Type in fixboot
This should help.
Zack

 

Thanks for the reply. To get my files off the current HD, can I take it out and then use a work computer (with XP Professional) to access this HD as a slave drive? Or will this not work because the HD is getting hung up on the XP Home load? I just want to be sure to get the picture files off. After that, I have no problem reformatting and reinstalling all of my software.

I do not have the original Windows XP Home install disks - it came preinstalled on the system. I'll ask around at work to see if I can borrow a copy.

 

You should do that. Again, anything else you need, Im here,
Zack

 

Just a quick update. I have been unable to find anyone with a full install for Windows XP Home. However, I did take the HD out and hooked it up as a slave drive to a desktop at work and I was able to access the files. I bought and external HD and am in the process of backing up all of my files. Looks like I will probably just reformat the HD and install Windows XP Pro and then reinstall all of the software if the Recovery CDs don't do the job.

Thanks for the help thus far.

Cheers.