6/21 update crashed computer - what now?

Hello, I got an auto update yesterday and when I stepped away from my
computer it restarted. I came back to find a black screen saying that a file
was missing or corrupted and I could try a repair using the set-up CD.

That didn't work so I called Dell, and we tried that again, we tried running
a diagnostic which showed that the hardware was okay, and we removed all the
problem files and reloaded them from the disc.

Then it said I was missing the file "asms," but we were never able to get it
from the CD. The Dell rep told me to get the Geek Squad to take everything
off and save it so that we could then completely remove the operating system
and reinstall it. That is going to cost $100+, and if I take it to a small
company of guys who know what they're doing, it will cost more.

I really can't afford to spend this money, especially since I ordered a new
Thinkpad two weeks ago and it should be here in another week or so.

I can't get to "start," so I can't try to go back to before this update. Is
there anything I can do? Keep in mind that I'm not technically inclined or
educated.

Any ideas? Also, why should I have to pay all this money because of MS
problems with the update?

Thanks to anyone who actually read through this post, and many thanks to
anyone who replies!

Windows version?

Any idea what update(s) were installed yesterday (21 Jun-08)?

May we assume you cannot boot into Safe Mode?
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


bob-dog wrote:
> Hello, I got an auto update yesterday and when I stepped away from my
> computer it restarted. I came back to find a black screen saying that a
> file
> was missing or corrupted and I could try a repair using the set-up CD.
>
> That didn't work so I called Dell, and we tried that again, we tried
> running
> a diagnostic which showed that the hardware was okay, and we removed all
> the
> problem files and reloaded them from the disc.
>
> Then it said I was missing the file "asms," but we were never able to get
> it
> from the CD. The Dell rep told me to get the Geek Squad to take everything
> off and save it so that we could then completely remove the operating
> system
> and reinstall it. That is going to cost $100+, and if I take it to a small
> company of guys who know what they're doing, it will cost more.
>
> I really can't afford to spend this money, especially since I ordered a
> new
> Thinkpad two weeks ago and it should be here in another week or so.
>
> I can't get to "start," so I can't try to go back to before this update.
> Is
> there anything I can do? Keep in mind that I'm not technically inclined or
> educated.
>
> Any ideas? Also, why should I have to pay all this money because of MS
> problems with the update?
>
> Thanks to anyone who actually read through this post, and many thanks to
> anyone who replies!

Answers below. Thanks!

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Windows version? XP Pro
>
> Any idea what update(s) were installed yesterday (21 Jun-08)? nope
>
> May we assume you cannot boot into Safe Mode? I was able to boot into safe mode when I was on the phone with the Dell tech service.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>

Two ways of checking what update/s crashed your computer -

1. windowsupdate.log
2. History on the Windows Update Page.

Which update/s caused the problem?
--

--------------------------------
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008
Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org


"bob-dog" wrote:

> Answers below. Thanks!
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>
> > Windows version? XP Pro
> >
> > Any idea what update(s) were installed yesterday (21 Jun-08)? nope
> >
> > May we assume you cannot boot into Safe Mode? I was able to boot into safe mode when I was on the phone with the Dell tech service.
> > --
> > ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> > MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> > AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> > DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
> >

Can you explain how to find this? Please note that I can't look up anything
on the crashed laptop--I still have a black screen telling me that a file is
missing or corrupt. No "start" or anything like that.

I looked on the MS website and can't find any kind of update history. I've
been going round and round, trying to find anything on this website.

Thanks,

Bob-dog


"TaurArian" wrote:

> Two ways of checking what update/s crashed your computer -
>
> 1. windowsupdate.log
> 2. History on the Windows Update Page.
>
> Which update/s caused the problem?
> --
>

What file is missing or corrupt ?

This is important information you are leaving out.


--

--------------------------------
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008
Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org


"bob-dog" wrote:

>
>
> Can you explain how to find this? Please note that I can't look up anything
> on the crashed laptop--I still have a black screen telling me that a file is
> missing or corrupt. No "start" or anything like that.
>
> I looked on the MS website and can't find any kind of update history. I've
> been going round and round, trying to find anything on this website.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob-dog
>
>
> "TaurArian" wrote:
>
> > Two ways of checking what update/s crashed your computer -
> >
> > 1. windowsupdate.log
> > 2. History on the Windows Update Page.
> >
> > Which update/s caused the problem?
> > --
> >

Disregard my last posting, this is the update that came through in the last
couple of days:-
Security Update for Windows XP (KB951376)
A security issue has been identified that could allow an unauthenticated
remote attacker to compromise your Microsoft Windows-based system and gain
control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update
from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your
computer.

Apparently you're missing a system file, you have contacted Dell and they
have been unable to assist you. A repair install hasn't worked. You have
tried a few things which haven't been successful including trying to load the
missing file being "asms".

There's not much we can do for you. You can contact Microsoft if you like
regarding the recent update you believe trashed your system, or you can take
your computer to the repair shop and get it reloaded.

Your only option appears to be reload the OS IMHO.
--

--------------------------------
TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008
Update Services
http://taurarian.mvps.org


"TaurArian" wrote:

> What file is missing or corrupt ?
>
> This is important information you are leaving out.
>
>
> --
>
> --------------------------------
> TaurArian [MVP] 2005-2008
> Update Services
> http://taurarian.mvps.org
>
>
> "bob-dog" wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Can you explain how to find this? Please note that I can't look up anything
> > on the crashed laptop--I still have a black screen telling me that a file is
> > missing or corrupt. No "start" or anything like that.
> >
> > I looked on the MS website and can't find any kind of update history. I've
> > been going round and round, trying to find anything on this website.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Bob-dog
> >
> >
> > "TaurArian" wrote:
> >
> > > Two ways of checking what update/s crashed your computer -
> > >
> > > 1. windowsupdate.log
> > > 2. History on the Windows Update Page.
> > >
> > > Which update/s caused the problem?
> > > --
> > >

Thank you, TaurArian. I'm taking it to a computer repair shop with my fingers
crossed.

Bob-dog

"TaurArian" wrote:

>
> There's not much we can do for you. You can contact Microsoft if you like
> regarding the recent update you believe trashed your system, or you can take
> your computer to the repair shop and get it reloaded.
>
> Your only option appears to be reload the OS IMHO.
> --
>
>

1. Boot into Safe Mode (with Networking, if possible).

2a. Examine C:\WINDOWS\WindowsUpdate.log <=this file

How to read the WindowsUpdate.log file
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902093

2b. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and check your Update History.

If, as TauArian posits, installing KB951376 caused the problem, free support
is available:

<QP>
How to obtain help and support for this security update

For home users, no-charge support is available by calling 1-866-PCSAFETY in
the United States and Canada or by contacting your local Microsoft
subsidiary. For more information about how to contact your local Microsoft
subsidiary for support issues with security updates, visit the Microsoft
International Support Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/common/....aspx?rdpath=4

North American customers can also obtain instant access to unlimited
no-charge e-mail support or to unlimited individual chat support by visiting
the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/oas/def...spx?&prid=7552
</QP>
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951376
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


bob-dog wrote:
> Can you explain how to find this? Please note that I can't look up
> anything
> on the crashed laptop--I still have a black screen telling me that a file
> is
> missing or corrupt. No "start" or anything like that.
>
> I looked on the MS website and can't find any kind of update history. I've
> been going round and round, trying to find anything on this website.
>
> "TaurArian" wrote:
>> Two ways of checking what update/s crashed your computer -
>>
>> 1. windowsupdate.log
>> 2. History on the Windows Update Page.
>>
>> Which update/s caused the problem?
>> --

Bob,
I've been through this scenario three times in the last ten years. I would suggest that in the future, you set
automatic updates to Notify, but NOT install. Always create a restore point before installing updates. Never install more
than three updates before rebooting and using your system for a while.

Sorry.


Lady Dungeness
Out of Danger until September
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


On Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:26:01 -0700, bob-dog <> wrote:

>Thank you, TaurArian. I'm taking it to a computer repair shop with my fingers
>crossed.
>
>Bob-dog
>
>"TaurArian" wrote:
>
>>
>> There's not much we can do for you. You can contact Microsoft if you like
>> regarding the recent update you believe trashed your system, or you can take
>> your computer to the repair shop and get it reloaded.
>>
>> Your only option appears to be reload the OS IMHO.
>> --
>>
>>