windows/system32 corrupt

ok I restarted my computer the other day and got the dreaded blue screen. When I rebooted again windows would not start and I got the message that it could not start because the windows\system32 file was missing or corrupt. I put in my startup disk and ran a chkdsk /r like it told me to do. All seemed to be good and I can get back into my windows accounts and use some of my programs except for example....1)I can't use my itunes because it says files are missing. I uninstalled the program and reinstalled it but it keeps giving me the same error. 2)When I try to get into my Office 2003 programs the windows installer starts and then stops giving me an error saying it can't write to the file C:\Program Files\Microsoft office\office11\mpmail.dll HELP!!!

 

You'll need your Windows XP CD for this:
Click Start; click Run; type cmd and press Enter. You'll get a command prompt window. Type sfc /purgecache and press Enter and let it run. It shouldn't take more that 30-60 seconds. When it finishes, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Be sure the XP CD is in the drive before running the scannow command. This can take some time (over 10-20 minutes) so be patient. You may be prompted that your XP CD is needed even though it's in the drive. Don't worry; it does that sometimes. Just click Retry every time it comes up. Note there's a space between the sfc and the forward slash in the commands above. If this doesn't work, maybe a safe reload of Windows will repair the problem.

 

Sorry to take so long to get back. This has been a wake up call to back up all my files if I should ever need to reinstall my OS. I did what you said along with uninstalling and reinstalling itunes and my internet explorer and all seems to be working there. I uninstalled my office 2003 but upon reinstalling it it gets to a point and gives me the message "error 1304: error writing to file C:\programfiles\commonfiles\system\MSMAPI\1033\MAPIR.dll. Veriry that you have access to that directory. When I look at the directory it looks like it has something to do with Microsoft Outlook. What do you suggest I do now?

 

Try running the MS Installer cleanup tool:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/en-us
The link to download the actual program is just under half way down the page.
Try to re-install Office after running the above tool. If that doesn't work, maybe re-install the Windows Installer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...fc-5f56-4a38-b838-de776fd4138c&DisplayLang=en
Reboot after installing the above program, then try to re-install Office. Take a look at this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822238/en-us It may (or may not) be helpful....
Good luck!

 

I downloaded the MS installer cleanup tool but did not see the Office 2003 file on it. Would it be even when I uninstalled it using the ADD/Remove? Then as fas as re-installing the Windows Installer am I suppose to download the WindowsInstaller-KB893803-v2-x86.exe and run that?

 

Yes. It will re-install the Windows installer and over-write any files that may be corrupt or missing....

 

Muah!!! It worked!!! It installed my office 2003 and everything seems to be working fine. Now to my next problem.

Since the fateful blue screen appeared I can no longer see my C:\Documents and Settings\"my account name or kids names"\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files or the C:\Documents and Settings\Cookies Files from my account which is an administrator account. When I go to kids accounts they are there but I use to be able to see them from my account. If i try to add them they say they already exist, which they do, I just don't know why I can't see them anymore from my account. These were folders I use to go into to delete the extra "stuff" that accumulates" Any suggestions?

 

Try enabling viewing of hidden files/folders and disabling the hiding of system files/folder. You can do this by opening My Computer, clicking on Tools at the top, select Folder Options, and click the View tab. Then scroll down a bit and look for the 2 entries I just mentioned. They're near each other, maybe 2 or 3 entries apart....