Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors)

DJ Wunder · 12-19-2007, 12:21 AM

Ok so today I started getting some errors that I'm not quite sure about. I'm at work right now so unfortunately I don't have the error right in front of me. However, it was multiple errors and I recall one of them being about "logonui.exe", "ehtray.exe", and one of them mentioning something about WTSAPI32.dll and another one saying something about being "inconsistent". I really wish I could upload screenshots of it or quote it word for word, but I can't unfortunately.

I might also mention that when I do manage to get into Vista, I can't open anything. My internet connection is gone, I can't get into My Documents, or My Computer, or Windows Explorer or anything. Literally nothing works. I can navigate sure, but I can't do anything. Even thought about running System Restore, but that didn't work either, came up with some error that I unfortunately can't recall.

Anyways, I decided that I'd prefer to just wipe everything clean and start from scratch, however, it seems my CD-ROM isn't working for some reason. I put in my Windows XP CD and restart my computer, only it doesn't boot to my CD. "Hmm" I say, so I go into bios and make that my only boot device. That doesn't work either.

Is there any way I can just wipe everything off my machine (no I don't want to save anything, I want to start from absolute scratch) and reinstall Windows XP? I don't know what's going on with my CD-ROM, but I know it works. Even when I login to vista (after clicking through numerous error messages) I manage to get into a view of My Computer and it says the drive is there, and it's properties say it's working properly, so I'm more stumped than I've ever been.

Please help.

Mon · 12-19-2007, 12:24 AM

is it Dell?

DJ Wunder · 12-19-2007, 12:27 AM

Sorry no, it's a custom built machine that was thrown together a year or two ago. Here's the specs in a nutshell:

AMD Athlon 3500+
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI motherboard
1.5gb RAM
GeForce 7800 GT video card
Windows Vista Home Premium -Upgrade-

Foxtrotman · 12-22-2007, 01:54 PM

Try going Start>run>cmd then typing format C:
Warning this will completely wipe your hard drive

GarnetCompy · 12-22-2007, 09:47 PM

If you want an even more thorough wiping, go for DBAN: It's a program that writes every bit on a hard drive to a 0, which reaches areas that the format command can miss.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/

You can download this and burn to a CD, or a floppy disk on a friend's computer, if nessecary.

However, it's a moot point if you can't boot to a disk--can you describe with more detail how the computer refuses to boot from a CD? Are you just not prompted for a CD?

**oddball2910** · 12-22-2007, 09:59 PM

Just be sure that before you wipe your drive, you have the XP re-installation CD.

Foxtrotman · 12-23-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Just be sure that before you wipe your drive, you have the XP re-installation CD.

yea that would help

12-19-2007, 12:21 AM	#1 (permalink)
DJ Wunder Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 2 OS: Windows Vista	Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors) Ok so today I started getting some errors that I'm not quite sure about. I'm at work right now so unfortunately I don't have the error right in front of me. However, it was multiple errors and I recall one of them being about "logonui.exe", "ehtray.exe", and one of them mentioning something about WTSAPI32.dll and another one saying something about being "inconsistent". I really wish I could upload screenshots of it or quote it word for word, but I can't unfortunately. I might also mention that when I do manage to get into Vista, I can't open anything. My internet connection is gone, I can't get into My Documents, or My Computer, or Windows Explorer or anything. Literally nothing works. I can navigate sure, but I can't do anything. Even thought about running System Restore, but that didn't work either, came up with some error that I unfortunately can't recall. Anyways, I decided that I'd prefer to just wipe everything clean and start from scratch, however, it seems my CD-ROM isn't working for some reason. I put in my Windows XP CD and restart my computer, only it doesn't boot to my CD. "Hmm" I say, so I go into bios and make that my only boot device. That doesn't work either. Is there any way I can just wipe everything off my machine (no I don't want to save anything, I want to start from absolute scratch) and reinstall Windows XP? I don't know what's going on with my CD-ROM, but I know it works. Even when I login to vista (after clicking through numerous error messages) I manage to get into a view of My Computer and it says the drive is there, and it's properties say it's working properly, so I'm more stumped than I've ever been. Please help. Last edited by DJ Wunder; 12-19-2007 at 12:23 AM.

12-19-2007, 12:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 142 OS: xp	Re: Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors) is it Dell?

12-19-2007, 12:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
DJ Wunder Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 2 OS: Windows Vista	Re: Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors) Sorry no, it's a custom built machine that was thrown together a year or two ago. Here's the specs in a nutshell: AMD Athlon 3500+ MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI motherboard 1.5gb RAM GeForce 7800 GT video card Windows Vista Home Premium -Upgrade- Last edited by DJ Wunder; 12-19-2007 at 12:31 AM.

12-22-2007, 01:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Foxtrotman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3 OS: winxp	Re: Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors) Try going Start>run>cmd then typing format C: Warning this will completely wipe your hard drive

12-22-2007, 09:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
GarnetCompy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 317 OS: Windows XP Pro / DOS 6.2 / Xandros Triboot My System	Re: Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors) If you want an even more thorough wiping, go for DBAN: It's a program that writes every bit on a hard drive to a 0, which reaches areas that the format command can miss. http://dban.sourceforge.net/ You can download this and burn to a CD, or a floppy disk on a friend's computer, if nessecary. However, it's a moot point if you can't boot to a disk--can you describe with more detail how the computer refuses to boot from a CD? Are you just not prompted for a CD? __________________ Go, Speed Racer, Go!! "Celerons are genuine Intels, just they are made of celery." - Ebackus, 12/29/05

12-22-2007, 09:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
oddball2910 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,109 OS: WinXP SP2 My System	Re: Trying to wipe my computer clean (WTSAPI32.dll and multiple other errors) Just be sure that before you wipe your drive, you have the XP re-installation CD.