[ldogg87]

I started windows (2000) and got an error message about some file called userinit.exe. I deleted the file thinking it might have been a virus or something since it had never done that before.

Now windows won't log on, not in safe mode or anything. I have since found out that this file was a log on utility or something.

Anyway, I don't have the boot disk.

Anyone know how I can fix this? (I tried f8 to let it repair itself but it didn't work)

Thanks!!

 

[mobo]

Do you have a w2k cdrom ?

 

[jashar]

What does the error say exactly? Here something that might help http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;KO;331490

 

[ldogg87]

no, I don't have the CD.

 

[mobo]

Now you don't have an operating system to go with it i'm afraid..You will need a cd to repair it in this state since its unbootable without that file...

 

[ldogg87]

The original error said something like "there is no disk in drive A:...blah blah blah...userinit.exe". I don't remember exactly, but it was seaching for a disk.

Now it leads windows, goes to the log in screen (which it usually bypasses since it's not password protected), then goes to the "loading your personnel setting. Then it just goes back and forth between the log in & loading your settings screen, but never get's past that point.

 

[ldogg87]

Do I need the actual Win2K CD or can I use a boot disk or something?

 

[mobo]

There are four bootdisks that can get you to the recovery console but you still need the userinit.exe file to replace into the system 32 folder so you still need the cdrom..

 

[Elvandil]

Userinit.exe for Windows 2000 can be obtained here:

http://users.adelphia.net/~abraxas/pub/userinit_W2k.zip

 

[mobo]

Then the challenge would be to get it into window which would allow it to boot up..What you could do it try it on a floppy disk and have it inserted when windows tries to boot..

 

[Elvandil]

Yes. It would have to be transferred from the floppy to the HD, but putting it on a floppy may be enough if it was looking for it, it may find it.

Hopefully.

 

[Flail128]

Use bootdisks to get to Repair menu. Choose Command Console option. From there, copy userinit.exe from floppy into C:\WINNT\system32 using

copy a:\userinit.exe C:\WINNT\system32

reboot