[eggroll]

Well i dont know what happened this time, but when my wife turned on her comp she recieved 4 messages that said something like C:\WINDOWS\_default.pif
Invalid program file name, please check your pif file. Choose "close" to terminate the application.

this completely baffled me so i played around a bit with no luck. My antivirus is shut down and i cant run any applications with out this message showing something like:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Someprog.ink
Invalid program file name, please check your pif file. Choose "close" to terminate the application.


And thats with all apps. I cant run Hijackthis so i cant post a log, sorry. im stuck and my wife needs her comp for school.

If this should be posted somewhere else, my apologies.

 

[ThorXP]

Welcome to TSF....

How to perform a Repair Installation of Windows® XP.

(The Windows® XP CD will be required for this procedure.)

Please Note: Performing a “Repair Installation” in this manner does not delete any Personal Files, it just 'repairs' the core of the installation.

Restart the computer and as soon as it starts to 'fire up' continually tap the Delete key so that access can be made into the BIOS...once in here, reset the boot order this way...
• CD/DVD
• HDD (or IDE0)
• Floppy/Other device (if you don't have a floppy).
Insert the Windows® XP SP2 CD in the Drive; then, Save and Exit the BIOS.

Reboot the computer; a screen will appear, that says... Boot from CD.... Press any key to Boot from CD...follow the instruction...it will then progress to a Blue screen and load the basic drivers.

A prompt will appear to press r to enter the Recovery Console...PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS, as another option will come up to allow the option to 'Repair' the installation, and select the partition that needs repairing... please select this option.
Once that's done, it will continue to load; then, it will want to reboot, so just let it!
The computer will then be returned to the previous "Black Screen" saying Press any key to boot from the CD...this time DON'T...just let it reboot itself and it will then go to the next phase of the 'Repair Installation' where you will need to press F8 to agree to the Licence Agreement.

It is then a matter of following the on-screen prompts, including input of your Product Key, and 'naming' the computer...please ensure that it is the "Original" name that was used and then let Windows® install.

This process will take about 45 minutes...and it will reboot a couple of times, but do not be tempted to hit any key to boot it from the CD, or you'll be back at square one again.

Just be attentive and follow the on-screen prompts.

Just let it do its thing...now when you finally are at the Windows Desktop, power down the computer and re-enter the BIOS and change the Boot Configuration Order back to its original configuration.

I hope that this cures your woes.

Post back with the results, and if there are any other queries/concerns.

 

[eggroll]

Nope that didnt work either. just behaves in the same manner like i didnt do anything

 

[ThorXP]

Well, then the error messages are going to have to be posted so we can figure out what is going on, the exact ones please?

 

[eggroll]

When the computer starts there are 10 command prompt windows that open, along with them it displays a message in a seperate window/box that states:
C:\WINDOWS\_default.pif
Invalid program file name, please check your pif file. Choose "close" to terminate the application.

after i close all of them, if i want to run say FireFox it will display the message:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\Mozilla Firefox.ink
Invalid program file name, please check your pif file. Choose "close" to terminate the application.

it will do that no matter what program i try running.

 

[mack1]

Hi eggroll,

Could you be more specific? Did the install repair proceed or did it just pass it up and go directially to windows on the HD. If you were not able to get to the XP install CD, that would be nice to know on this end. If the repair proceeded and then you got the same results, that is a whole different story.

Can you boot in Safe Mode? If so, does the problem show up there?

More details would help us help you.

Best regards,
Mack1

 

[mack1]

Guess we were all typing at the same time.

Mack1

 

[eggroll]

the repair install was a failure. i still have the same results. and i cannot boot in safe mode. it seems to hang or stick so i have to restart

 

[dai]

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_easy_file.htm

 

[eggroll]

cant use the command promt, a window opens and says:
C:\WINDOWS\_default.pif
Invalid program file name, please check your pif file. Choose "close" to terminate the application.

 

[eggroll]

Nevermind about repairing it ill just reformat again since there isnt much on it. it just seems easier