windowsXP wont start dll error?

Hello everyone, I am new, duh! But not just here, to the whole computer fix thing. Anyway I might be in the wrong forum, I'm sorry. So this computer will not work. When I turn it on it goes through the Config screen I believe it's called and then the desktop begins to open and the first window that pops up says "winlogon.exe EntryPoint Not Found" when I click this window off the next one says "user interface failure" The button on the bottom says restart only. I cannot close this window. No desktop Icons are shown, just the background image. I picked up this computer at an auction recently. It is a Presario. I tried going into F10 (setup) at restart but have no clue what I am doing. I never got into computers, I am an auto mechanic. thanks a bunch.

 

First of, welcome to MG!

As an auto machanic you should know that most cars sold at a car-auction are PoS much like the PC auctions. IMO If they worked fine they wouldnt be auctioned in the first place...
Anyhow, here are a few questions to get more info from you so myself or others could give me more accurate help but from the sounds of your errors the related Operating System files are corrupted;

~ What is the Operating System (assuming XP HE or Pro)?
~ Do you have a Windows XP CD or anything that came with the PC (might say Presario Restore CD, etc.)?
~ What happens when you see the Wallpaper without the icons? Are you able to press CTRL+ALT+DEL and open the Task Manager?
~ Have you tried pressing F8 repeadetly after booting up the machine to get to the Boot List to choose how you want to boot up and choose 'Safe Mode'?
~ Have you tried (using the above steps) the LastKnownGoodConfiguration?

 

The operating system is windows XP, the computer is a Compac Presario 4400US. I didn't get any CDs with this Just a tower and monitor. I didn't try getting to the task manager. I didn't do F8 either. I will try those next. thanks.

 

Sounds good, definitely try to get in the Task Manager because a buggy application or even a script (login, system or program based) could prevent Explorer.exe from loading the Desktop poperly and if you can get in the Task Manager, try killing all odd and unnecessary tasks to see if things go back to normal, also make sure you can see 'explorer.exe' if not click on File > New Task (run) > type explorer.exe > OK

Let me know either way, happy holidays!

 

Ok thanks for the help so far.
I have tried all your suggestions. I cannot access the task manager.
Also Going in safe mode does the same thing, it says "the Logon User interface DLL msgina.dll failed to load contact your system administrator to replace the dll or replace the original dll"
then it props for restrt and nothing else works
Last known cofiguration does the same thing.
please help.

 

Try changing the Boot order in the BIOS so your system boots to the CD-ROM drive first, before saving and rebooting place your XP CD in the CD-ROM drive, then save BIOS settings and reboot, as XP CD goes thru initial loading the setup files phase the setup menu will appear, since it would see the previous installation, it should give you an option to press 'R' and run the repair process...see if you can get that far...if that is no go either, a re-install may be on the menu.

 

Turcoloco is right and I am sure you will run into some other issues once you get the system to a working state.

Read this article and see if it helps you make a little progress: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/836683

Steve

 

Didn't see you there Turcoloco.

Steve

 

Ok I tried changing the boot order, but that doesn't work either, also I don't have any cd's for this thing. thanks

 

Ok I used that link that Matacumbie suggested. The last known Good configuration does exactly the same thing> I tried it a couple of times just to be sure I didn't screw it up. It still wont work

 

Ok A coworker at the garage tells me he has a COMPAQ PRESARIO as well and he is willing to lend me his System Restore CD. Will this CD work with my computer or is it computer specific?

 

NO!! those vendor CDs are specific to the make/model they were created for, do not use them on a system other than the specific make/model PC they were created for!

 

Ok so how do I go about getting a restore cd for my computer?

 

Look here:
http://www.restoredisks.com/

 

For missing DLL's here:
http://www.dll-files.com/

 

I have downloaded a DLL to a CD on my working computer. How do I use it on the problem computer? thanks for the links and all the help.

 

Did you have Sp2 installed?

I can upload the original, sp1, and sp2 version of the file, but I must know what service pack you had.

 

I don't know if it is SP1 or SP2, since I can't get to the desktop, and I cannot use it. I didn't get any software with it. I think I am just going to get a restore CD from compaq.com

 

This computer came with XP?

If you didn't have a restore CD, then pressing F10 at the Compaq screen (POST) initates the recovery process of the OS and applications.

Or should, anyway.