Need advice after accidentally deleting some OS files

[knabehudson]

Hi,

I was trying to manually uninstall a program from my computer, which runs Windows ME. Anyway, the instructions said to unhide files and folders so I could find all the files to delete to uninstall the program. Well, apparently, I accidentally deleted some basic operating system files.

Now I cannot start Windows. When I first turn the computer on, the first thing that comes up is a strange screen that starts counting down in seconds and says I have so many seconds to choose how to proceed. Option No. 3 is "Safe Mode," and it leads to a strange version of my screen saver with "Safe" written in all four corners. It seems like this mode is totally inert, you can't do anything.

Anyway, I tried all the other choices (I think there were 4) and none really went anywhere. But I did get a message saying a "System INI file is missing" and that I needed to "reboot with the original floppy" (or something like that) and then restore the system somehow.

Problems:
1. I can't find the reboot disk.
2. I doubt I can find the original installation disks
3. I'm thinking that all I really need to do is to get into the Recycle Bin somehow and start clicking on files and hitting "RESTORE" so they go back where they belong, until everything starts working again.

But how do I even get to where I can go in the Recycle Bin and start restoring files?

Any advice?

Thanks many times over for any help.

Trent

[degsy]

Welcome

SafeMode is a mode when only the essential drivers are loaded to get the OS working.

When in SafeMode did you see your desktop? Did you see the Recycle Bin?
Also when you start SafeMode does the Help & Support program open? If it does then you could try a System Restore.

[knabehudson]

Thanks degsy,

No, there is no desktop. No keys seem to do anything, except Cntr-Alt-Del, which works as usual. The task list that comes up when you hit this sequence is completely empty, nothing running at all.

A couple of times, scan-disk or whatever started to run. I think that was after I shut down by just hitting the power button. By scan-disk, I mean the thing that always runs when the computer has been "shut down improperly." HOWEVER, it seemed to keep trying to check the hard-drive, get about 1/10 done, then start all over, so I assumed it was stuck and would never finish.

Trent

[degsy]

You may have to do a repair install.

Download this WinME bootdisk.
http://www.santa.hamptechnologies.co...sk/bootmec.exe
Run the file to create the startup disk.

Boot from the disk.
at the prompt type
scandisk
and press enter

When scandisk has finished run this command from the prompt
c:\windows\options\install\setup.exe
and press return

This will start the WinME setup.
You may need the Serial No.

If this doesn't work then you may have to purchase a WindowsME CD or Restore PC.

[knabehudson]

thanks again!


I'll try some of those ideas when I get home.