ThinkVantage System Update install problem - T30

[j2k]

I recently tried to install ThinkVantage System Update ver. 3.14.0008 on my T30.

Much to my chagrin, when restarting the machine after having run the (System Update v3.14) installer in windows, windows fails to load giving me this error message:

"STOP: c0000135 {Unable To Locate Component}
This application has failed to start because basesrv was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

My machine: T30 Win XPpro sp3

I had made sure that everything mentioned in the System Update v3.14 install instructions was OK (.NET v2.0, etc...)

Looking around the web so far, I have run into to possible leads.
1) a virus changed the registry or edited the name of the driver basesrv.dll and if I can just figure out how to restore the file's proper name I'll be back in business

or 2) There is some problem related to System Update which resulted in the Master Boot Record (MBR) becoming corrupted (**similar** to the problem referenced by doc MIGR-62978???)

I do not have recovery CD's. Although, I do have access to another TP (t61) and a set of restore discs burned from/for it.

I am wondering if there is a way through the BIOS (or through bootable PC Doc, etc.) that I can get basesrv.dll back where it needs to be, or renamed (if thats the problem).

... anyone have any thoughts??

(Could I even use the restore discs for the t61 to restore windows... and as such restore the MBR and basesrv.dll??? The t61 is also XPpro sp3)

John

[sarbin]

if you hit f8 during boot-up can you get to the 'last known good configuration' boot screen?

[j2k]

I can, but trying the last know good configuration just yields the same error message .... "STOP: c0000135..."

EDIT:

from F8 utility.... Safe Mode results in the same

[Harryc]

Copy Basesrv.dll from another machine and put it in your system32 folder. If you can't boot into safe mode, use XP's recovery console. Here's a link that might help;

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937481/en-us

[j2k]

I can't figure out how to get into the Recovery Console without the Recovery CD's, which I don't have (see first post). I've already copied the files from another machine with XP sp3, but I just can't figure out how to get them onto my machine.

EDIT: are there bootable programs that would allow me to access the windows file system?

[Harryc]

A linux Live CD would work

[j2k]

Harryc,

Great advice on the Linux Live CD... it was new to me, but after a couple of hours and a steep learning curve IT WORKED, like a charm.

Used Trinity Rescue Kit (linux live) 3.2 to copy into WINDOWS/system32 an XPsp3 copy of basesrv.dll

Rebooted and Windows loaded without incident.

grateful,
john

[Harryc]

Good news John. Have a great day.

[j2k]

Any ideas what would have caused the removal/renaming of basesrv.dll in the WINDOWS/system32 folder, in the first place?