URGENT winxp problem - paypal reward

[bagaki]

i was poking around in the "advanced" tab of the system properties on my winxp box and i saw an option to use the system ram for either programs or cache. it was setup for programs and i though since i have a gig of ram that if i set it up for system cache my machine would be faster. after i restarted, i get delayed write failed c:\$MST and dozens of other similiar messages. this is as far as i can get (the login screen) i cant even get into safe mode to change the setting back, it just hangs when loading MUP and then restarts after a while. I did poke with the recovery counsel to try to back up my inmportant data, but every time i tried accessing the "documents and settings" folder, i always got access denied. i really need help. i dont care if i have to format, i just need to get access to back up my email from outlook. all help is appreciated. (PS, lesson leaned)

the worst part is that my server that i back everything up to daily failed and i did not know this until my workstation failed. so my backup did not backup. when it rains it pours. i am offering a paypal reward for a solution that allows me to get my email backed up or better yet, change that stupid setting back.

regards

bagaki

 

[Crusty]

You can get Linux Live CD Distro that has support for a 2.6 Beta kernel and access NTFS drives. Assuming you are using NTFS. If you are using FAT then just get a regular old Win98 Boot disk and boot up and pull the data.

Using the Live CD would be simple too, if you need help with that you can post here too.

 

[bagaki]

i have very little experience with linux. where would be a good place to look for such a distro? i am using NTFS by the way. a quick google search for linux live gave me knopppix and gnoppix. they both seem to be using the 2.4.xx kernel though. is there a good beta site or something to find ones with the new beta 2.6 in them?

for the record i really dont know what i am talking about when it comes to linux. so if what i typed above does not make any sense, i appologize.

regards

bagaki

 

[CTho9305]

http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html
You can try using that to reset your password to try getting access via the recovery console... CAREFULLY read the warnings on that page.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Did you encrypt your files using NTFS? If not, you can just either buy another HDD and install Windows on that and take the important data like your Outlook .PST files from it. Or you can also use the Repair option in the Windows XP setup. This is not the same as going to the Recovery Console.

If you reinstall Windows on the same hard drive, it will not delete anything but the WINDOWS folder. It'll leave behind all your other files alone, provided you DO NOT FORMAT. Just leave the file system as is when prompted.

 

[Crusty]

Yeah, just make sure to do a Repari Install, not a Format then install.

 

[thegorx]

First I don't really see that changing those setting would cause this problem

but searching google and google groups for

loading MUP

I see a lot of people with hangs at the mup.sys

MUP.SYS
Multiple UNC Provider driver

that's all I know about this file
perhaps someone could enlighted me on what it is.

But any way from at least what I read this sounds hardware related

someone suggested removing the mouse
and restart
which makes me think maybe the cmos jumper needed in that case to be reset

Someone also suggested removing PCI cards that his usb card was the problem

Have you experieced any power outages ?
Or anything else that happened besides the changing of the settings ?

You might want to test that hard drive just to make sure it's not going

Also do you have access to an image back up program
I'm not sure how it would work with NTFS permission though.

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: thegorx
First I don't really see that changing those setting would cause this problem

but searching google and google groups for

loading MUP

I see a lot of people with hangs at the mup.sys

MUP.SYS
Multiple UNC Provider driver

that's all I know about this file
perhaps someone could enlighted me on what it is.

In my experience, the vast majority of boot issues occur right after MUP.sys. If I look at my normal boot logs, mup.sys happens to be the last driver that loads... as in, it isn't the problem, but rather the system blows up at the next step of the boot processes.

 

[thegorx]

I see what you mean
That must be where windows starts looking for attached hardware

 

[chorner]

I think I may have what you're looking for ....

Boot into the recovery console, and try SCANREG /RESTORE. Which will set your registry back to a specific date.

I'm pretty sure that will work .. if not, I'll find you another way to fix it Nodda prob!

 

[chorner]

Arg, disregard that ... apparently that has been taken out of XP. Last time I had to recovery a registry was with 98.

There is a way though without having to reinstall/format or lose anything I'm sure of it.

Try this command in the recovery console :: c:\windows>cscript pagefileconfig.vbs or just pagefileconfig

Or boot into XP safemode with command prompt .... or anyway to get into the command prompt if that doesn't work in the recovery console.


//------------------------

Parameters
/s Computer
Specifies the name or IP address of a remote computer (do not use backslashes). The default is the local computer.
/u Domain\User
Runs the script with the account permissions of the user specified by User or Domain\User. The default is the permissions of the current logged on user on the computer issuing the command.
/p Password
Specifies the password of the user account that is specified in the /u parameter.
/i InitialPageFileSize
Specifies the new initial size (in MB) to use for the paging file specified.
/m MaximumPageFileSize
Specifies the new maximum size (in MB) to use for the paging file specified.
/vo {VolumeLetter|*}
Specifies the volume or volumes of the paging file settings to be changed. The volume is specified by a letter followed by a colon (for example, "C:").
/?
Displays help at the command prompt.

Examples::

The following examples show how you can use the pagefileconfig /change command:

pagefileconfig.vbs /change /m 400 /vo c:
pagefileconfig.vbs /change /s srvmain /u maindom\hiropln /m 400 /vo c:
pagefileconfig.vbs /change /s srvmain /u maindom\hiropln /i 20 /vo *
pagefileconfig.vbs /change /s srvmain /u maindom\hiropln /p p@ssW23 /i 200 /m 500 /vo c: /vo d:

pagefileconfig create

Creates or adds an additional paging file to a system.

-----------------------//

 

[thegorx]

well, if it were just settings you can restore the original registry
then from there restore something more recent
but I have a feeling something else is up

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307545

 

[easternerd]

My solution would be easy..
1 . press F8 and select the option that says Start windows with last known good settings. (this restores all the registry settings)
and you might be able to login as normal like before... or try
2. Just grab a another hard drive or install another Copy of Xp in another partition.. and after you login to the new installation just browse to this old partition and recover the files. (you might need to reassign the security settings of some dirs like Mydocuments. just set it to Ownership of ur current userand say propogate to child objects and say Yes to all and say ok.. the next time u will be able to access those dirs and files. If you face any more problems just message me.

 

[Tbirdkid]

What about just reinstalling xp right back on top of his installation..... i think that will fix it. And he doesnt have to buy another hard drive. and he doesnt have to take the chance in screwin up his registry again.