Boot Manager

Dec 16, 2008

- Well, I never made any hardware changes, but the only software changes I made was after I installed a new theme for Windows Vista. It made Vista look like OS X (from Apple). It was pretty cool looking, but I decided to take it off.

I looked up how to uninstall it, because there was no uninstall program for it. The best solution anyone could come up with was to rename about 6 or 7 files, and delete the folder that the OS X theme was in. The files had to be named from .final09 to .dll files. That was all. And it actually helped a lot, or most of the problem.I had some problem renaming the files, but I was finally able to correctly rename them. After I decided to restart the computer is when this message came up.

I would not have a problem using an install disk had Microsoft not been stupid and not included one with my computer. I have a disk directly from HP that will completely wipe the harddrive and reinstall windows, but it's 3hrs away, and I have work to be done.

Am I SoL and should I wait until I can get my disk back?
Or is there another fix?

Also, I have not made any changes to the BIOS, in fact, I made sure everythign was at default settings.

Dec 16, 2008

- “…no uninstall program for it” … that was a red flag.</i>
I did not know that there was no install program until I attempted to uninstall it.

“…delete the folder that the OS X theme was in…” … what folder was that?
C>WINDOWS>SYSTEM 32

“…The files had to be named from .final09 to .dll files…” … in what folder were these files?
Can't remember right off the top of my head, but similar to above.

“…had Microsoft not been stupid and not included one with my computer…” … Based on the product placement of your post (“HP Pavilion dv9000z 17" Notebook Laptop PC PC Notebook”), I presume the subject system is an “HP Pavilion”. So really, it’s not Microsoft that failed you, it’s the OEM-Original Equipment Manufacturer (i.e., HP) and/or your vendor (the reseller) that sold it to you that’s “stupid”. Moreover, I couldn’t agree more with your sentiment.
Well, that explains it more. Yes, it is an HP Pavilion.
“…I have a disk directly from HP that will completely wipe the harddrive and reinstall windows…” … Ouch! Very last resort.
It's already been used once. Not by me. I bought the lappy from Circuit City, and it's been having troubles the entire year an a half I've had it, so we eventually had HP send the Firedog station the HP disk. We ran a hardware diagnostics test on it and found nothing there, so we assumed it was software, hence the disk. IT didn't have problems until a few weeks ago, but I was able to do a "system restore' of sorts.

IT wasn't really a system restore, because my computer for some reason, does not have the information that explains how to actually create restore points. (Thank goodness I have an ext. HDrive. Apparently, there is something else buggy with this system and I cna't quite figure it out. I'm thinking about taking it back to Circuit City this week anyway, because they told me that after this hard drive wipe, nothing should happen again.

Also, I have high doubts that this is some sort of virus. I"ve never had a virus on any of my computers, but I think I know enough about them to rule it out.
“…but it's 3hrs away…” … and by 3hrs away, you of course don’t mean 3hrs away AND it’s on its way.
Actually, the disk is 3 hours driving time, in my house in my college town. I'm home for the holidays.
“…Am I SoL and should I wait until I can get my disk back?” … You do mean the HP disk, right?
Yes.

Sorry for the long posts.

Dec 16, 2008

- Wait, I think I mixed up about the folder I deleted. It's my fault, actually. I did not delete the System32 folder. The folder I deleted was actually installed with the name "VistaOSX. I know the System32 folder is important.

The folder I deleted was WAY outside the System32 folder. It was in the C:/ folder. A folder named VistaOSX. Yep!

Sorry about that!

Dec 17, 2008

- Thanks for your help, though! I'm taking it to Circuit City right now!