Windows ME Corrupt

[Trina92070]

Hello I am a total computer idiot.
My windows has crashed and after several attemps with help from Gateway they tell me my Windows is corrupt. I do not have any of the restoration CD's. Gateway told me they could send me the first CD for $35 but they can't send me the other 2 CD's I will have to purchase them separtely. Just curious if anybody else has any idea if I can do anything else to fix my computer?

[degsy]

Welcome :)

Can you tell us what happened and what error messages you get etc.

Do you have the Product Key for your Operating System? it may have came with the documentation or be on a sticker on the case.

[Trina92070]

Well I had a virus and we tried to remove it. After that my program was giving me more problems. Gateway had me restore my computer to a previous date. We still had problems. Then they had me do a Boot Disk and scanreg after that I could no longer get on my computer. I could get to the front with windows screen but no icons would show up. In safe mode I would get icons but could not connect to the internet.

[degsy]

Do you have the Product Key for your Operating System? it may have came with the documentation or be on a sticker on the case.
Hi,
Need to know that before you can install.

[Trina92070]

Well, I am here at work and I am not sure of my product key? Is that the same as the serial number? here is the serial number 0024091569

[Trina92070]

Also I never recived an error message, the only thing was at the beginning it would cdminst no responding.

[degsy]

Hi,
No, you need to find the Product Key for the Operating System.

If you have that then you can probably install the Operating System again without the CD.

[Trina92070]

Ok, when I go home tonight, where do I locate this product key? Oh and by the way thank you so much for your help:wave:

I have the orginal book that came with computer and so forth I just don't have the restoration disks.

[degsy]

It may be suck on the case.
It may be stuck on the back or on the cover of the manual.

[Trina92070]

Ok, after I get that what do I need to do?

[degsy]

If you have that then you can do a repair install of the operating system because the install files are located in

c:\windows\options\install

If you run the setup.exe file within that folder then it should start a repair install, which will keep your data, programs & settings, but will re-install the System Files.

[degsy]

btw, I missed this

In safe mode I would get icons but could not connect to the internet.
You will not be able to access the internet in SafeMode because it does not load the required drivers.
SafeMode only loads the essential drivers & software to run the PC.

[Trina92070]

Ok here comes the another dumb question, How do I run this command, do I do it with the boot disk?

Where the format looks like dos then it gives me the options

proceed with CD Rom or without CD Rom

Then has me put in a command

or do I need to run this from somewhere else?

[degsy]

Open My Computer and click through to the folder
C Drive
Windows
Options
Install

Within should be a Setup.exe file.
Double click this to run the setup.


If it says that it needs to run scan disk then:
Boot to DOS using that bootdisk you mentioned earlier.
Boot with CD-ROM support

At the A:\> prompt type
c:\windows\options\install\setup.exe

And it will run through scandisk then start the setup.

[Trina92070]

Ok do I enter the product key anywhere?

[degsy]

If it needs it then it will prompt you to enter it during the setup.