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Holy God what have I done

A forum for the off topic stuff. Everything from religion to philosophy to sex to humor (see why it used to be called Buggery?). All manner of rude psychological abuse is welcome and encouraged.
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Sisyphus
Rigging the Ancient Mariner
Location: The Muckworks
Contact:

Holy God what have I done

Post by Sisyphus » Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:14 am

I know there's probably a better section for this, but last week I accidentally deleted some files in my computer that has rendered my windows XP useless.

I ran some antivirus software for the first time, it came up with four files that said were "infected" and should I delete them and before I had a chance to really consider it, I clicked yes. Since then I can't do anything; I have no access to anything but the internet. Apparently my product key was one of the things I fucked up because it says I have to validate my copy of windows. I type in the key, it tells me it's invalid.

How fucked am I?


Sent from my POS laptop plugged into the wall

Davros
It's Just a Nickname
Location: Skaro
Contact:

Post by Davros » Mon Aug 16, 2010 4:32 am

Well, you may have to call Microsoft to get your key validated. You may need to do a fresh install. If you need to do a fresh install, and have things that need backed up, providing you can still burn a disc, you can run your computer on a linux live CD, which will load the OS into memory and not run off the hard drive, the contents of which you can transfer to an external HD or whatever before doing your reinstall.
That's one option.
Yer not completely fucked, it's just gonna take a little maneuvering.
If you set up a fictional universe then you can argue that certain things are, or are not, logical and consistent within that universe. Of course the fact you might be able to show something is indeed logical and consistent in a fictional world says nothing about reality.

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xtian
Le coureur de lames chasse Tinti...
Location: belgium
Contact:

Post by xtian » Mon Aug 16, 2010 5:22 am

can't you revert to a previous working system? I did in a similar case after I messed up with the registry on a antivirus bug and it saved the day. You need the Windows install CD I think.

How do you do that? herrrr... You might need to ask to someone else or google about it because I am totally unable to remember how I get to this possibility.
I'm not really from around here.

Davros
It's Just a Nickname
Location: Skaro
Contact:

Post by Davros » Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:08 am

xtian wrote:can't you revert to a previous working system? I did in a similar case after I messed up with the registry on a antivirus bug and it saved the day. You need the Windows install CD I think.

How do you do that? herrrr... You might need to ask to someone else or google about it because I am totally unable to remember how I get to this possibility.
It's been quite a while since I've done a Windows install, but if I remember correctly, if you boot with the install disc, you have the option to try to reapair a broken system....

(And, if that doesn't work for some reason, then the Linux option can be tried. Of course, I'm biased and want to convert people)
Last edited by Davros on Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
If you set up a fictional universe then you can argue that certain things are, or are not, logical and consistent within that universe. Of course the fact you might be able to show something is indeed logical and consistent in a fictional world says nothing about reality.

User avatar
Bo_9
Ayatollah of Mayhem
Location: Filthy little worn-out, broken down, see through soul.

Post by Bo_9 » Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:18 am

Davros wrote:It's been quite a while since I've done a Windows install, but if I remember correctly, if you boot with the install disc, you have the option to try to reapair a broken system....
+1
I've always had good luck getting the windows system files happy with the repair option. You have to use the second one. The first repair option assumes you had the forethought to make a "repair cd". It will give you the second option to repair once it detect your current OS. I do remember it looks like it is reinstalling over everything and you will crap your pants. It should just replace the system files.
You can also pull the drive out and use a USB adapter to back up anything you need to keep to another machine if there is one available.
When an old man dies a library burns...

"Every accident involving machinery begins with a single defect. Never forget that defect can be between your ears." - E.J. Potter
"I feel like I'm in "my little pony" HELL!!!!" -Goose
"Well, he never ever smiled, but he always seemed pleased."
"keep about your wits, Know yourself and who you came in with"

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xtian
Le coureur de lames chasse Tinti...
Location: belgium
Contact:

Post by xtian » Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:52 am

tjaa!! making a back up of anything useful before you try anything is a smart advise.
I'm not really from around here.

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DerGolgo
Zaphod's Zeitgeist
Location: Potato

Post by DerGolgo » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:02 am

This is why I have a separate system partition and separate partitions for my all files.
Since a clean re-install involves re-installing most applications anyway, formatting my system partition is no worry.
Obviously, since I have taken up this strategy, I don't think I ever had to fall back on it...umbrellas and rain, ey.

Repair install is the way to go. If it complains, well, you say you have access to the internet...depending on what files you are missing (generic windows stuff or stuff with your settings in it), you may be able to download them. Have you tried booting into safe mode?
If there were absolutely anything to be afraid of, don't you think I would have worn pants?

I said I have a big stick.

Rabbit_Fighter
Keeper of the Lava
Location: Seattle (Wedgwood)

Post by Rabbit_Fighter » Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:14 am

Davros wrote:(And, if that doesn't work for some reason, then the Linux option can be tried. Of course, I'm biased and want to convert people)
yeah, but at least you are trying to be helpful instead of just saying something snotty like "buy a mac".

thack
Magnum Jihad

Post by thack » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:38 am

i've fixed three utmc member machines with similar /symptoms/ recently, primarily 'can't get to the internet'.

check in IE and firefox to see if there's a proxy server checked that it wants you to use. usually this should be unchecked and not being used.
if you see a proxy server set for 127.0.0.1 port 5???, then you've got the same crap that the folks whose machines I fixed have.

if you've got that, pm me and i'll give you the rundown on how to get rid of it. there are at least two variations (one's an actual rootkit and the other's just irritating).

also what AV software did you run? I've been trading everything out for malwarebytes and windows security essentials on computers with over 2g of ram (mse is a memory hog).

dozer
Hammer Time
Location: umbc
Contact:

Post by dozer » Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:25 pm

Rev wrote:I was sure this thread was going to be related to the landmine in your yard. Glad to hear it's just the computer.
ditto. somewhat disappointed, in fact.
"All you lazy bastards, you don't build no castles!"
-Jim Bishop.
Sisyphus wrote: If, on the other hand, a full-on revolution starts within one year, you will provide me your mailing address and I will send you the balsa wood box for you to eat. Provided I haven't already eaten it. In which case I will send you an object of equal or lesser value that hasn't been eaten, provided it is as edible as balsa and is of nearly equvalent volume (empty).

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xtian
Le coureur de lames chasse Tinti...
Location: belgium
Contact:

Post by xtian » Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:00 pm

Actually, there's a "restore system to a previous restoration point" in my start/programs/accessories/system tools menu
I'm not really from around here.

User avatar
Bo_9
Ayatollah of Mayhem
Location: Filthy little worn-out, broken down, see through soul.

Post by Bo_9 » Fri Aug 20, 2010 4:10 am

xtian wrote:Actually, there's a "restore system to a previous restoration point" in my start/programs/accessories/system tools menu
If you actually have a usable previous restore point that will probably work splendidly. You'll just lose anything you've done after that point.
When an old man dies a library burns...

"Every accident involving machinery begins with a single defect. Never forget that defect can be between your ears." - E.J. Potter
"I feel like I'm in "my little pony" HELL!!!!" -Goose
"Well, he never ever smiled, but he always seemed pleased."
"keep about your wits, Know yourself and who you came in with"

User avatar
xtian
Le coureur de lames chasse Tinti...
Location: belgium
Contact:

Post by xtian » Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:57 am

Bo_9 wrote:
xtian wrote:Actually, there's a "restore system to a previous restoration point" in my start/programs/accessories/system tools menu
If you actually have a usable previous restore point that will probably work splendidly. You'll just lose anything you've done after that point.
Are you sure? Doesn't it only affect the system and leave all your datas intact and untouched ? I don't remember it affecting my datas but I am even more paranoid than Dergoldo, I use separate hard drives for system and datas.

and a third one as a data back up.
I'm not really from around here.

User avatar
Bo_9
Ayatollah of Mayhem
Location: Filthy little worn-out, broken down, see through soul.

Post by Bo_9 » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:47 am

With data stored on separate drives or partitions it should leave those intact if you only had it create a restore for the sys drive. Only time I've used it has been on single drive/part workstations.
When an old man dies a library burns...

"Every accident involving machinery begins with a single defect. Never forget that defect can be between your ears." - E.J. Potter
"I feel like I'm in "my little pony" HELL!!!!" -Goose
"Well, he never ever smiled, but he always seemed pleased."
"keep about your wits, Know yourself and who you came in with"

Davros
It's Just a Nickname
Location: Skaro
Contact:

Post by Davros » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:58 am

xtian wrote:
Bo_9 wrote:
xtian wrote:Actually, there's a "restore system to a previous restoration point" in my start/programs/accessories/system tools menu
If you actually have a usable previous restore point that will probably work splendidly. You'll just lose anything you've done after that point.
Are you sure? Doesn't it only affect the system and leave all your datas intact and untouched ? I don't remember it affecting my datas but I am even more paranoid than Dergoldo, I use separate hard drives for system and datas.

and a third one as a data back up.
I don't use separate hard drives, but I do use separate partitions for my / and my /home directories. And an external HD for added redundancy, file backup.
If you set up a fictional universe then you can argue that certain things are, or are not, logical and consistent within that universe. Of course the fact you might be able to show something is indeed logical and consistent in a fictional world says nothing about reality.

User avatar
Sisyphus
Rigging the Ancient Mariner
Location: The Muckworks
Contact:

Holy God what have I done UPDATE!

Post by Sisyphus » Tue Aug 24, 2010 11:55 am

Turns out somebody had installed XP Professional on my computer, I either didn't remember or they didn't tell me and thus the product key was invalid because I didn't have the bloody thing.

All better now.

Detonation of unused landmine to take place later this week.
Sent from my POS laptop plugged into the wall

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