The Geeks’ Agenda

Many users have experenced or at least know someone who has experienced some of the more dreaded error merssages in Windows XP “Missing or corrupt HAL.DLL,” “Invalid Boot.INI,” or “Windows could not start…” Often times these error messages lead people to unnecessarily reformat their hard drive causing all data to be lost in an effort to resolve the error. While the underlying reasons for the various error messages may differ between them, one of the most underutilized solutions is commonly overlooked. Now you may be one of the all to few people that regularly backup their data and are not be concerned with reforming the drive. The error can often times be fixed in just a few simple steps:

1. Boot to the Windows XP installation CD and enter the Recovery Console
2. Maneuver to the root of C: by typing “CD\” and pressing enter.
3. Type “chkdsk /r” and press enter.
4. Type “attrib boot.ini -H -R -S” and press enter.
5. Type “del Boot.ini” and press enter.
6. Then type “bootcfg /rebuild” and press enter
7. Finally type “fixboot” and press enter.
8. Now simply remove the Windows XP installation CD and restart the computer.

While obviously unable to resolve ALL problems that can lead to the indicated error messages, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised how many can be solved by following with just these few basic steps. If the problem persists and no other way can be found to surgicaly resolve the problem you may wish to consider the many virtues of a repair install. However that will be post for another time. =)

Recently Winternals software, makers of several advanced software utilities, filed suit against Best Buy and Geek Squad for software piracy. This after negotations originally initiated by the Best Buy for Greek Squad to obtain licensing for the use of Winternals “Administrator’s Pak” broke down. In a recent press release by Winternals Best Buy allegedly had been using the software illegally for an indeterminate amount of time before attempting to obtain a legal user license.

Best Buy and Geek Squad initially contacted us and said that a license was needed to come into compliance. Rather than focus on the degree to which Best Buy and Geek Squad had previously engaged in the unauthorized copying and use of our products, we entered negotiations for a software license and to establish a long-term business relationship.

However after the negotiations betwen the two companies broke down, Best Buy and the Geek Squad continued to make copies of and use the “Administrator’s Pak” without securing a legitment license.
Interesting news indeed when you consider the Best Buy’s corporate policy on accepting software that has been opened as returns. In related news I hear that Websters publishing may be considering updating the definition of hypocrisy so to better use Best Buy as an example. =P

For more information you can read the entire article at the Winternals website.