Windows XP Boot-up problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Larry
  • Start date Start date
L

Larry

I have a Dell laptop running Windows XP Home Edition. It
has worked fine for the 1-2 years I've had it. A few days
ago when we turned it on, we encountered an error message
during boot-up (before getting to the desktop):

Isass.exe - System error Object name not
found

When I click OK (the only option) or the "X" or hit ESC,
the boot-up process just starts over and encounters the
same problem.

Dell first told me to try to reset the system
configuration to a date when the system was known to work
properly, but I think to do that I have to get to the
desktop (to access the Start button, then something else).

Then Dell told me to do a Repair Reinstall, which as I
understand it uses the installation CD to try to repair
the problem. I did that and the repair process ran as it
was supposed to, but it did not solve the problem -- the
boot-up process still encounters the same error.

Then Dell told me to reinstall Windows, which as I
understand it will wipe out all my data (which I don't
want to have happen!!). I told them I really wanted a
better solution, so they said they would send me a new
hard drive (and I could send the existing drive to a place
like Ontrack to try to recover the data, though I have no
idea how much that would cost). But I don't know much
about removing a laptop drive and installing a new one,
and I'm really hoping there is another way to address the
situation.

That's where I am. What's your take/advice?

Larry
 
I'm having the same problem, and for what it's worth, I'm
going to take my hard drive and see if someone can
recover the data. I'll also learn to backup more
frequently in the future. Can't fix your problem though.
 
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