tech support: compaq error messages/DLLs

[nostamj]

one of my co-workers asked for help but, i'm not a hardware guy. here's her mail:

My husband says he gets messages like: Network Controll IRQ (whatever that is) failed and CDRom1 Random retest fail and CDRom2 Random Retest fail and various DLL files that are missing. I can relate to that commercial where the family in the minivan goes to Compaq and abducts the guy who works there and forces him to make the error message on their screen go away. When we call Compaq we have to talk to someone in India.

she also found some sites to download the missing DLLs but is afraid that will bring infection. is there a 'safe' site I can send her to?

thanks in advance......

[bamademo]

1. They're in what we like to call DLL Hell

What operating system is it? You can re-install the operating system
without erasing data depending on the OS. Plus, did the computer come with a repair disk?

[GAspnes]

2. Windows, I assume

Run the usual virus checks (Norton or McAfee) and AdAware (www.lavasoft.com). Then, if a 'system restore' disk came with the computer, I'd try that.

From this information, I would guess there is an underlying hardware problem. Files only go missing if they're deliberately deleted (by a person or virus), or when a hardware problem interrupts the hard disk during a write operation, damaging a file directory. Virus/spyware don't usually mess up IRQ assignments.

[nostamj]

3. yes, i would assume Windows

thanks. trying to get a little more info from her but it seems a re-install of the OS is the best bet

[lcordero]

4. maybe

try running the system file checker if you have windows 98, 2000 or XP
http://www.anzwers.org/free/xpdsl/sfc.htm

The system file checker will offer to replace files if it finds them corrupt. Have a disk handy that is already slipstreamed for sp4 for 2000 or sp1(a?) for XP.

[nostamj]

5. thanks

gonna save that link for myself as well!