XP Boot - help please

Hello--

I got a blue screen two hours ago, and it went to immediate re-boot, so I did not see the message.

Upon trying to reboot in safe mode or last know config, I get the same message:

"Windows could not start because of an error in the software.
Please report this problem as:
load needed DLLs for kernel."

Please help.

Wendigo X

 

If you can't do a restore to a point where the machine was running good ... I would suggest having xp do a repair. Load your xp disc ... change the boot sequence in the bios if you have to so it will read from the cd drive first ... then after the files load tell xp to install hit the f8 key to continue ... then you will get an option to do a repair ... use that and see if that doesn't replace the dll you need ... hope this helps you out ... :wave

 

It looks like spirittoo is correct, MS say that an in-place upgrade is the way to go.

 

Thanks, I think you are correct, but this seems way out of my league. I have the re-installation disk, but the Microsoft directions are not easy.

Any suggestions on how to do this? Do I risk losiing everything if I screw this up?

 

You just have to follow directions - if you are not confident then ask a friend/relative/colleague to help you.
Here is a guide:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI

A 'Repair' install is not a re-install as such, so you will not be formatting the drive and losing all previous data.
However, as personal data loss is just as much a risk now with PCs/Laptops as it ever was, you should already have been making regular back ups of all your personal data in case of loss.
USB Pen Drives with multiple gigabyte storage capacities are now dirt cheap. External drives with 500GB plus space can be had for less than the cost of a DVD player or portable TV.
Or you can save valuable data on multiple internet sites/email providers with specialist storage facilities for free.