Winxp / 2K problem on Boot

[Dotdot]

Well today I thought id replace the shell32.dll on my windows xp install so as I could have some funkier icons, all went welll until i decided to try a diff pack, it installe fine to my knowledge, even used cmd line to do it and quit explorer.

Anyway I decided to reboot so my nw icons would in full efect, this is wheer it went wrong.

Winxop said it could no longer load the dll required to logon and asked me to restart. I panicked and thought bugger I,ll to maybe try an new os on my other hdd, boot fix the winxp install then remove the second os.

Seens how my Pc seems to hate linux in all forms i decided to use my old win2k disk and boot that up to fix xp.

Well shortly after setup I fixed the shell32.dll in winxp, lickily i backed up the original.

So off I went to boot back up in xp, this is where things go nuts.

It stated that win2k needed files and just hung on starting windows. Now how the hell does that happen, the 2 os` are on diff disks!!??

Does anyone know how I can get my xp install back and not loose my data? I work as a web designer and make monthly backup disks usually arounf the 30th of each month, I dont want to loos a months work as I have some pretty important client work on my disks

I also have no great way of backing up as win2k doesnt seem to like my dvd burner :s

plz anyone HELP!!

[GrandMaster]

same happens to me when i try

[cpugeniusmv]

try booting from the XP CD and the Recovery Console (Press R, rather than Enter, in the first pause of setup)

and fixboot followed by fixmbr

[Dotdot]

Thnx I,ll be sure to try it tomorro, too late at mo yawn

[Dotdot]

Well i tried Fixboot and it didnt work, was a little unsure about fixmbr as it was saying i will probs lose my partitions and data, which I cant, cause well i need them.

My idea now is to put all my stuf on my main hdd to the second that has win2k on it, however i dont know if a re-instal of xp to the main drive will work or if it wil just leave me stuck like this again.

How would i remove win2k under win2k and then re-install xp safely without data loss on my second disk? / just fix this bloomin mess !!!

[cpugeniusmv]

go ahead and copy your data to the drive with windows 2000 on it. then boot from the XP CD, and at the first pause hit enter to continue setup. a few screens later it will ask you if you want to repair the current windows XP installation...i think that's worth a shot.

after setup completes, your data and registry should still be in tact in the XP installation.

[Dotdot]

trying this as we speak :)

[ritchiey]

:) if you could enter safe mode?

If yes, you may be able to uninstall the theme pack from add/remove programs

at the run command type SFC /SCANNOW.

have your XP CD ready for copy of original files that has changed

BTW whatever files it says is missing, you can just manually do a copy (and replace)

hope this helps :)