Can you restore to an earlier date without loading windows?

[Jacknife]

Since the automatic updates is broken on my computer, I went to the Microsoft website and just figured I'd manually download and install a few of the newer security updates for windows XP. I did this, then when I restarted my computer I just get error messages saying the entry points for winlogan.exe, services.exe, and lsass.exe could not be found, followed by just a black frozen screen.

I created a restore point before I installed these new updates. But how can I restore to an earlier date if I cant load windows? I tried F8 -> last known good setting and got the same result. Can anyone help?

 

[TFT]

When you tried F8, did you also choose "Safe Mode" and attempt a restore ?

 

[Jacknife]

I tried safe mode as well and still got the same error message followed by the black screen.

 

[kram2l]

When you reboot, the BIOS screen appears, then a black screen. Press F8
repeatedly then to access the menu to choose 'safe mode with command
prompt'

then type this:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

wish that help

 

[Jacknife]

When you reboot, the BIOS screen appears, then a black screen. Press F8
repeatedly then to access the menu to choose 'safe mode with command
prompt'

then type this:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

wish that help

Question...I cant find a opportunity where it would allow me to type in that code. I press enter on 'safe mode with command prompt', then it brings me to a screen where it asks for what operating system do I want to start, 'windows xp home edition' being the only option. I hit enter on that and then it just begins loading safe mode like usual bringing me back to the error pop ups stopping me there.

 

[meanman]

Use the windows cd and do a repair install

 

[Jacknife]

Unfortunately, I do not have the windows CD.

The only way I know I can fix this is a system recovery, but lots of programs I had installed on here get deleted in the process so I only want to turn to that as a last resort since it will take me forever to reinstall all of them.

 

[tremmor]

rstrui.exe will not repair from dos.

All i got though. maybe it will help.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q307545&ID=KB;EN-US;Q307545

 

[mep916]

Did you install SP3? I recently had problems with that update. You can uninstall the service pack using the recovery console, but that is only available w/ the XP CD.