Need EXPERT Computer Help, Please

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:09 pm

A dear friend, for no apparent reason, has been locked out of her PC. She is running Windows XP on a Dell. She can get as far as the opening page, where you select your user for the session. Then she gets the little window that says Error Code
0x80070002 A problem is preventing Windows from accurately checking the license for this computer. I found the bulletin #310794. The problem is, she can't even log on. The computer can't be rebooted because she can't log on. What to do ? Was this a virus ? She swears there were no downloads.
I know we have some geniuses out there in Hogland. Please help.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:19 pm

The logon screen isn't even coming up?

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:20 pm

Yes, it is...but it doesn't allow you to choose a user.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:27 pm

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310794

All is there for you. It seems that this is common thing among Dells. Hope this helps.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:32 pm

What is the logon screen displaying?

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:39 pm

I have that bulletin. Apparently, it won't let her do anything. She can't even log on. All she gets is the welcome screen.
She tried the workaround. Didn't take.

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:45 pm

I forget if its F8, or F5 but can she hold one of those down during bootup to get into safemode? From where she should be able to do the workaround.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:49 pm

The bulletin says "F8".
Is "F5" another way ?

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:54 pm

It just depends on which OS it is. Some want 8, some want 5. Most of the time you'll see a message that says "press f5/f8 to go into safe mode".

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 7:56 pm

Actually I just asked a co-worker, its F8 for XP. Look out for the message and press it.

If push comes to shove. Theres a good chance that she can simply reinstall XP over top of itself and retain her files.

NOTICE If you do that select "UPGRADE. If you do a clean install it will "zap" your HDD. An upgrade simply overwrites the system files.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 8:01 pm

Yes, but...She can't even log on. Everyone in her family (if you're familiar at all with the XP welcome screen) has an icon to click on so as to log on to their own accounts. The children, of course, are not listed as administrators on the accounts. She needs to click on her own name to get into the area where she can do an uninstall. Otherwise, all she gets is the screen with the names of the registered users of the PC. Clicking on any name results in the window. Pressing F8 has no effect.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed May 26, 2004 8:05 pm

has she pressed the F8 key before she ever get's to that screen? ...she needs to press it right after the computer just starts booting up.....

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 8:19 pm

I am desperately trying to find out...Her phone line is tied up. Here's the thing, though. She's fairly literate in computers. I want to assume she has tried to do so. She's also had a teenaged friend of her daughter over there to try and help, and you KNOW these kids in school today are pretty on top of it all. Assuming that "F8" isn't doing anything to help her, is there something else ?

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed May 26, 2004 8:20 pm

Yea, like BTP said you need to press F8 within the 1st 5 seconds of pressing the power button. Have her as soon as she turns it on, push F8 every 2 seconds. She should be able to get into safe mode.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed May 26, 2004 8:29 pm

Make sure she's pressing f8 as soon as the computer acts like it's starting up... multiple times if she has to.... she should come to a screen allowing her to operate in safemode..... if she's successful.... she needs to follow the rest of the workaround that CLL provided.....

If that's not successfull..... and f8 does nothing.... she needs to make sure her keyboards plugged in (i know that sounds funny, but it can happen) and if thats not the problem... i'd have her call tech support... because that sounds odd that she's not able to press F8 and have it work.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed May 26, 2004 8:32 pm

Okay, kids...It's a starting point. Let's see what she says.

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed May 26, 2004 9:10 pm

Hope this will help

To start the computer using the last known good configuration

Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available after you shut down your computer in step 2.
XOX
In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.
Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes

Choosing Last Known Good Configuration provides a way to recover from problems such as a newly added driver that may be incorrect for your hardware. It does not solve problems caused by corrupted or missing drivers or files.
When you choose Last Known Good Configuration, only the information in registry key HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet is restored. Any changes you have made in other registry keys remain.
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.

Feature: Safe Mode and System Restore
When to use it: If you used Last Known Good and your system is still not working.
What it does: Starts using only basic files and drivers (mouse, except serial mice; monitor; keyboard; mass storage; base video; default system services; and no network connections). If you are able to start the system in Safe Mode, you can then use System Restore to restore all system and application settings back to those that were in effect at at a time when your system was working optimally.
Available on: Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional.
For more information, see System Restore overview or Start the computer in safe mode.

Feature: Recovery Console
When to use it: If using Last Known Good is unsuccessful, and you cannot start the computer in Safe Mode. This method is recommended only if you are an advanced user who can use basic commands to identify and locate problem drivers and files. To use the Recovery Console, restart the computer with the installation CD for the operating system in the CD drive. When prompted during text-mode setup, press R to start the Recovery Console.
What it does: From the Recovery Console, you can access the drives on your computer. You can then make any of the following changes so that you can start your computer:
Enable or disable device drivers or services.
Copy files from the installation CD for the operating system, or copy files from other removable media. For example, you can copy an essential file that had been deleted.
Create a new boot sector and new master boot record (MBR). You might need to do this if there are problems starting from the existing boot sector.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Fri May 28, 2004 12:09 am

As soon as Tina tries the F8 approach ( and fails) I'll bring this into the equation. Thanks, everybody.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 7:39 pm

Okay, kids. The quick "F8" got her into SafeMode, but she can't figure out what the problem is. She says there are just a bunch of letters there, and no place to really initiate the fix. Can't fix it if she can't tell what the problem is. What's next ?

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 7:50 pm

there are a bunch of letter?? what letters? can she get to the start button?

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 9:05 pm

yeah.... she needs to click on her start button then go to the "Run" option..... once there she needs to follow these steps:

* Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe). <--- She'll type this in the "run" option box....
* Delete the following keys in the Windows registry:
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography\Providers
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography\Providers

* Quit Registry Editor.
* Restart the computer.

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Tue Jun 01, 2004 9:11 pm

if she can't get to her start button to display the "Run" command, tell her to try pressing the "windows button" on her keyboard + R at the same time... that should make the "run" Command window pop up....