Updating Me screwed my PC

I thought I was doing the right thing updating my Me
software on the MS web site. I downloaded the latest
explorer which they said had to be downloaded separately
from the critical updates (20 odd )When I tried to install
the new software the PC locked up, I ended up in safe mode
with no hope of a system restore and looking
like 'another' formating job ( clean Me install)
Should I have downloaded the critical updates first?
Is this where I went wrong?
That was my last of three hard drives which I was able to
connect to the internet.
Now I have to use some other computer.
Anyone else had this problem?

Why can't you use System Restore? This is exactly the sort of problem for
which the use of system restore is intended. When you installed your
updates did you remember to disable your Anti-virus application? This is
essential if using one marketed by either Norton/Symantec or McAfee.
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



zepoiln wrote:

I thought I was doing the right thing updating my Me
software on the MS web site. I downloaded the latest
explorer which they said had to be downloaded separately
from the critical updates (20 odd )When I tried to install
the new software the PC locked up, I ended up in safe mode
with no hope of a system restore and looking
like 'another' formating job ( clean Me install)
Should I have downloaded the critical updates first?
Is this where I went wrong?
That was my last of three hard drives which I was able to
connect to the internet.
Now I have to use some other computer.
Anyone else had this problem?

Hi Mike, when I tried to use system restore ( in safe mode
using keyboard because no mouse ) there where only about
three restore points and each one I tried I was told it
was not possible. I also tried deleting the new software
and returning to previous explorer but still it starts in
safe mode ( starts windows help screen, keyboard only , no
mouse )
I did have a recent copt of AVG ( the free one ) which was
probably running when I downloaded the software..are you
saying this may be the cause of the problem?
Thanks
Sean

Sean,

If system restore isn't working it would appear that maybe you don't have
the 290700 patch installed which is required for usable checkpoints to be
created. This can happen when Win Me is reinstalled over itself using a
Win Me CD rather than by running setup.exe from the windows\options\cabs
or windows\options\install folder. For more see later.

Your lack of a mouse in Safe Mode is possibly due to your using a USB
mouse in which case check whether there is an option in the motherboard
bios to enable legacy usb support. If so select this and you should then
be able to use a usb mouse when in safe mode.

I'm not aware of AVG causing problems when installing updates, McAfee and
Norton are the main culprits, nevertheless in future it might be advisable
to disable real time AV scanning when installing updates.

Turning to your problem. You could try running
SCANREG /RESTORE
from a command prompt and restoring a copy of the registry that
immediately predates your failed update. You can run scanreg /restore
either in Safe Mode (Start, Run, enter SCANREG /RESTORE, click OK) and
then follow the prompts or by booting to DOS using a floppy and then
entering
SCANREG /RESTORE
at the A:\ DOS prompt.

If this works I would advise you to check that the 290700 patch is
installed (locate the file smgr.dll in the windows\system folder, right
click, select Properties and check the version on the Version tab. If
4.90.0.3003 you are OK but if 4.90.0.2533 you need to install the patch
which can be downloaded from
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...290700usam.exe.
Install 290700 and then carry out the following quick test:
a) Create a shortcut on your desktop to a file.
b) Create a manual checkpoint
Could you create a checkpoint?
c) Delete the shortcut
d) Restore your PC to the checkpoint you created.
Was the shortcut restored? Did you see any error messages?
e) Reboot your PC
Was the checkpoint retained?

If all is OK and knowing that you now have a working system restore and a
usable checkpoint I would return to the Windows Update site and load some
of those patches. I would however do just a few at a time, two or three
at most, and see no reason why you shouldn't start with IE6 SP1.

Best of luck,
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



zepoilin wrote:

Hi Mike, when I tried to use system restore ( in safe mode
using keyboard because no mouse ) there where only about
three restore points and each one I tried I was told it
was not possible. I also tried deleting the new software
and returning to previous explorer but still it starts in
safe mode ( starts windows help screen, keyboard only , no
mouse )
I did have a recent copt of AVG ( the free one ) which was
probably running when I downloaded the software..are you
saying this may be the cause of the problem?

FWIW, I routinely leave AVG6 free running while installing updates from
Windows Update in ME - with no bad effects yet. I have yet to attempt an ME
update with AVG7 free, though.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"Mike M" wrote in message
...
Sean,

If system restore isn't working it would appear that maybe you don't have
the 290700 patch installed which is required for usable checkpoints to be
created. This can happen when Win Me is reinstalled over itself using a
Win Me CD rather than by running setup.exe from the windows\options\cabs
or windows\options\install folder. For more see later.

Your lack of a mouse in Safe Mode is possibly due to your using a USB
mouse in which case check whether there is an option in the motherboard
bios to enable legacy usb support. If so select this and you should then
be able to use a usb mouse when in safe mode.

I'm not aware of AVG causing problems when installing updates, McAfee and
Norton are the main culprits, nevertheless in future it might be advisable
to disable real time AV scanning when installing updates.

Turning to your problem. You could try running
SCANREG /RESTORE
from a command prompt and restoring a copy of the registry that
immediately predates your failed update. You can run scanreg /restore
either in Safe Mode (Start, Run, enter SCANREG /RESTORE, click OK) and
then follow the prompts or by booting to DOS using a floppy and then
entering
SCANREG /RESTORE
at the A:\ DOS prompt.

If this works I would advise you to check that the 290700 patch is
installed (locate the file smgr.dll in the windows\system folder, right
click, select Properties and check the version on the Version tab. If
4.90.0.3003 you are OK but if 4.90.0.2533 you need to install the patch
which can be downloaded from
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...290700usam.exe.
Install 290700 and then carry out the following quick test:
a) Create a shortcut on your desktop to a file.
b) Create a manual checkpoint
Could you create a checkpoint?
c) Delete the shortcut
d) Restore your PC to the checkpoint you created.
Was the shortcut restored? Did you see any error messages?
e) Reboot your PC
Was the checkpoint retained?

If all is OK and knowing that you now have a working system restore and a
usable checkpoint I would return to the Windows Update site and load some
of those patches. I would however do just a few at a time, two or three
at most, and see no reason why you shouldn't start with IE6 SP1.

Best of luck,
--
Mike Maltby MS-MVP



zepoilin wrote:

Hi Mike, when I tried to use system restore ( in safe mode
using keyboard because no mouse ) there where only about
three restore points and each one I tried I was told it
was not possible. I also tried deleting the new software
and returning to previous explorer but still it starts in
safe mode ( starts windows help screen, keyboard only , no
mouse )
I did have a recent copt of AVG ( the free one ) which was
probably running when I downloaded the software..are you
saying this may be the cause of the problem?

Hi Mike, hi Noel...
Phew you guys are clever....yes my mouse is a usb but now
I fitted an adapter to connect to main pc (instead of
monitor )and I now have the use of mouse in safe mode.
Also yes I installed Me from a windows cd and never got
round to updating it.
I tried 'scanreg/restore' but it says 'windows cannot
find 'scanreg restore'... try search but it's not there
either..
So what I've got is a grey desktop with 'big' icons..so do
you think all I can do is just save the files I want and
do a clean install?

It looks like you mistyped the command....

SCANREG /RESTORE
(note the space between the G and the /)

try that and see if it helps

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"zepolin" wrote in message
...
Hi Mike, hi Noel...
Phew you guys are clever....yes my mouse is a usb but now
I fitted an adapter to connect to main pc (instead of
monitor )and I now have the use of mouse in safe mode.
Also yes I installed Me from a windows cd and never got
round to updating it.
I tried 'scanreg/restore' but it says 'windows cannot
find 'scanreg restore'... try search but it's not there
either..
So what I've got is a grey desktop with 'big' icons..so do
you think all I can do is just save the files I want and
do a clean install?

Hi Noel, Mike, thanks yes when I added the space it worked
fine, back to a normal looking desktop.
Also I have since then been able to reconnect to the
internet with that HD which I am really pleased about. I
downloaded the 290700 file you recommended and ran the
restore checks you suggested and everything checked out
fine. The smg.dll file is also showing the correct version
4.90.0.3003. Many many thanks guys.
Just one more question on updating, it says under critical
updates there are two more to download but no details are
given and when I click install nothing happens.

No, sorry they've just come back.....Explorer 6 and GDI +
detection tool do you recommend these?

Which two?
Can you download any of the non-critical ones?


--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2005, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.btinternet.com/~winnoel/millsrpch.htm
http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's

"zepolin" wrote in message
...
Hi Noel, Mike, thanks yes when I added the space it worked
fine, back to a normal looking desktop.
Also I have since then been able to reconnect to the
internet with that HD which I am really pleased about. I
downloaded the 290700 file you recommended and ran the
restore checks you suggested and everything checked out
fine. The smg.dll file is also showing the correct version
4.90.0.3003. Many many thanks guys.
Just one more question on updating, it says under critical
updates there are two more to download but no details are
given and when I click install nothing happens.