Problem repairing XP Media Center Installation

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Hello. RE: Dell Dimension E310 XP SP3 Media Center Edition

I have had all sorts of odd things happening like an email window close while I was typing in it, a browser window close on its own and just general annoying oddities. I have run Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot and AVG is my antivirus. Nothing. I also ran CC Cleaner.

I used the repair option for Microsoft Outlook 2003 listed under the Help or About section. It still crashes frequently.

I used to know a command line code that made sure all the operating files were there but I can not remember it.

My last idea was to do a REPAIR of Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. I used the disk that came with it but an error advised that the software on my computer was newer than that on the disk and that in essence I would be going backwards.

Suggestions? I’d like to avoid a clean install until I can afford Windows 7; I don’t want to do it twice. I have a new hard drive coming today but again I’d like to wait until I purchase 7 before I move anything.

Is there anything else I can do in the meantime? This machine is loaded with software!

Thank you! All help is always appreciated!
cs.

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Hi Citsme,

Are you having the problems only with MS Outlook 2003? If so, try completely uninstalling Outlook 2003, and then do a new Outlook install to see if that fixes the problems. You might first check the Event Viewer Windows Logs – Applications Log and System Log for any critical error messages generated at the time Outlook misbehaves. If errors have been recorded, write them down so you can search for possible solutions online.

As to the command line code, you may be thinking of ‘sfc /scannow’. If the files from your service pack installations have not been removed from your XP system, then the System File Checker should replace any corrupt system files it detects.

If the above does not fix things, post back if you would like your thread moved to the Microsoft Outlook Forum, where there are a number of very knowledgeable folks that may have questions and answers for you. I would recommend doing that before proceeding with the following steps.

Take a look at slipstreaming your XP installation disk with the Service Pack that matches the patched XP version on your hard drive, and then do an XP repair install, which will preserve your programs and data. You can look at this tutorial at Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows. If you need to download SP3, get the full standalone version here. Paul Thurrott’s guide for slipstreaming SP2 is available here.

This site provides instructions on doing a repair install of XP, and includes more links for slipstreaming as well.

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The problem is with the entire OS and the fact that it is Windows XP MEDIA Edition Sp3 seems to be making it worse! The command line code I was trying to remember is ‘sfc /scannow’ (THANK YOU!) and I was told to put my SP3 disk in the CD drive as some .dll files were needed. I have a SP3 disk so I did that and was told that the version of SP3 I was using doesn’t match the version of Windows I am running. I decided to go to the link you provided and download a fresh copy and I had no problem with doing that except I had the same results; the version doesn’t match the version I am running.
In the meantime, if I leave the computer for any amount of time, any number of things could happen including ‘cleaner_validator.exe’ application error, completely blank boxes open on the screen and my only choice is to click OKAY; three or four boxes in a row. I noticed on the first menu, my icons were there but the names of the programs were not. Instead of my normal sign in screen, I am getting a message that “This computer is in use and has been locked.” It wasn’t locked by me.
To make matters worse, Bearshare was downloaded onto this computer and I used the remove programs in the Control Panel to get rid of it but it takes a much longer process basically in the registry to get it fully out. Upon my return to the computer, it is frozen.
How do I find a Service Pack 3 for the Media Edition of XP? I was under the impression all of the XP Service Packs were for all editions of XP.
My version of Windows Media Edition shows as: Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.101209-1647 : Service Pack 3)
I am frustrated and confused as to what the next steps are for this computer. Is there a place to find Media Edition SP3? If not (and I know files are missing) what then? The original disk says that the system I am running is newer than the original disk. I’m out of ideas.
Thank you for your time and patience.

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There are no special service packs for XP Media Center Edition. MCE is, for all practical purposes, XP Pro with integrated Media Center software.

I understand that your hard disk installation of XP is upgraded to SP3. However, When you are prompted to insert the SP3 CD into your optical drive, you should be inserting your XP Media Edition installation disk that has been updated to SP3. If your XP Media Edition installation CD is SP2, then it needs to be slipstreamed with SP3. Inserting a CD containing only the service pack will not work.

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:fanfare::fanfare:Double thanks, Deadeye 81, you hit on the important point I did not know (of many!) about: needing a Media Edition disc slipstreamed to SP3. I did that once for my nephew but that was for XP Pro so I have an idea for how that works and of course I will follow your links for proper instructions.

Hopefully, at this point I can say, “Let you know how it goes,” but there still is that chance I’ll have a question!!! I will follow all directions carefully to get this charming machine fixed!

Thanks again for realizing what I needed to know.

cs.

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Hello,
As I anticipated, I ran into trouble with something I thought would be simple: following the directions for slipstreaming. I already have SP2 on my XP Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2 (Rollup 2 does mean SP2?) so I followed the instructions and extracted the files from SP3.
So, what I now have are two files on my C: drive – c:SP3 Extracted and c:XP Media Edition. Apparently these names will not go with the following directions from Paul Thurrott’s slipstreaming guide:

Step 3: Combine XP with SP2

Now, type the following in the command line window (where [ENTER] means hit the ENTER key):
cd i386 [ENTER]
cd update [ENTER]
update -s:c:xp [ENTER]

Is there a way to modify this to work with the two files I have? I can rename them anyway necessary, however, I wonder if there is a huge difference because I am starting with SP2 on the XP disc and trying to slipstream SP3 extracted.

Sorry for so many questions; I’ll be happy when (if!) I can get this machine repaired.

Thank you, again, for your time and energy!
cs.
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