[PCWorld]

Post your comments for How to Reinstall Windows XP here

[bluewire]

So, what do you do if your PC is so messed up that it will not boot, even to the install disc?

[backpack]

[quote name='bluewire']So, what do you do if your PC is so messed up that it will not boot, even to the install disc?bluewire-based on your limited information, the only thing that I would have to suggest is to purchase a new hard-drive and re-install your OS and all other software.

[IanMcShane]

Copying "Documents and Settings" fails when it tries to copy ntuser.dat. How do you get around that?Make sure you have your communication drivers (modem or network card) downloaded or on a CD because you won't be able to download them if the reinstall doesn't recognize them.Belarc advisor (www.belarc.com) is a great utility to run to record software and hardware information. Particulary Product Keys.

[aschmid]

Once i install service pack 2, my computer goes into 400 x 600 resolution with 8 or 6 bit colors. What do i do now?email me at : [Email removed for security reasons]

[erlewis]

you say "You get more options--including the ability to preserve your files and settings--when you use Microsoft's own Windows XP installation disc. Make your selection, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reinstallation."BUT I've reinstalled Windows XP numerous times and I don't recall seeing this option. The first option presented is to "repair an existing installation but that simply loads a command prompt which for me is useless because ... then what?If I don't select the first "repair" option then somehat later I get options to install but I don't recall seing the option I quoted. Can you give me tips about how to get to that option? Thanks. erlewis

[Burdette]

My XP disk is so old I can't use it update/reinstall files off of it because it is not SP2. Also it would not see all of my 240 gig. hard drive

[PaulVU]

[quote name='backpack']> {quote:title=bluewire wrote:}{quote}So, what do you do if your PC is so messed up that it will not boot, even to the install disc?> > > > bluewire-> > based on your limited information, the only thing that I would have to suggest is to purchase a new hard-drive and re-install your OS and all other software.That's rather cavalier advice - how do you know that the harddrive is the problem? backpack what exactly happens when you power up your computer?

[mo5555]

sure sounds good. but it does not work. when i boot from the disc, i get a blue screen of 'nothing happening' with 'windows setup' in the upper left hand corner. Since i had never called Microsoft, i called and they told me that i must pay or use the computer manufacturer (a local shop) who said i could pay $300 and not pass GO. Needless to say i won't use them again and i won't reload because it is almost as cheap to buy a new computer. Typical for this industry - no service after the sale.My hard drive checks out ok so i don't know what is the problem. It seems to me with the millions of users out there there must be similar circumstances but how does one connect with them.

[RiffRaff]

[quote name='bluewire']So, what do you do if your PC is so messed up that it will not boot, even to the install disc?That depends. First, you hope this is where you've listened really good at least one time when someone has said the word "backups". Otherwise you cry and curse about lost photos, music, game saves, and/or the frustration of having to reinstall all of your software. Then you have to figure out in what way your PC is "messed up" so that it won't boot. Does it at least run the POST information and BIOS check (the information that scrolls acroiss the screen when you first push the power button: plain text on a black background usually). If so then there's hope. What kind of installation media are you using? In many cases it could very well be a bad (or damaged, or scratched, or otherwise neglected) disk. If the computer is more than 2-3 years old at the most, you can consider yourself the proud owner of an ugly paperweight or the winner of the "Take the PC to the recycling center" lottery. (You do care about the environment, right?)Ok, sarcasm aside: the question really is to vague to give a fair answer. You're here asking it, which means you either know enough about PCs and technology to know how to search for data (and hopefully validate it and then follow instructions), or you are at least likely to have a friend who is geek enough to understand how to test the hardware etc. Worst case scenario, check the local community college or IS students who want to get some on-hands experience diagnosing hardware or ask your friends if they know a geek who can help out. Best of luck.

[Wimpy08]

I've reloaded XP several different times. Most of the input here is helpful. You can copy the i386 file to any type of memory disk or CD. That is the instalation files for XP (also win 2000). First make sure you PC is set to boot up (1st boot) to the CD. The problem I've run into is that The CD won't boot because of an issue with the CD Drive itself. Try a different CD drive. Its a lot less expensive than some of the other options. Win 2000 has a set of boot disks (4 in all). They will work with XP as well.

[falan]

Complete madness, madness, madness. A complete reinstallation takes so much time and effort it is better to try to cope with a cripled system - there are hundreds of windows ''fixes'' to download, and hours and hours of just sitting watching, and doing little else.Windows, or MSN, should create a site that can analyse a computer online, and fix whatever is broken automatically. Symantec does this, so why can't MSN?

[alexiv34]

What do you do if you no longer have the XP disc that came with your laptop?

[snorg]

alexiv34 said:

What do you do if you no longer have the XP disc that came with your laptop?

Borrow the XP disc from a friend.

[mphenterprises]

....or, if you have one of the major manufactured computers, HP or Dell, you can get the CDs directly from the manufacturer. Here are two Documents that shows you what you need to do:

HP

Dell

[jhooka]

Reinstalling Windows XP or Vista using OEM Windows Operating System Reinstallation Discs.

Recently, my Dell Dimension 4400 finally gave out. I couldnt even find my reinstall Disc. I ordered a new disc and reloaded my system.
I also found out that the Dell Reinstallation Disks will install on any system, And they will install on any Dell computer Activated without entering a product key.
How to reinstall windows xp or vista onto your dell.

Step 1. Use the disc that came with your Dell computer to reinstall windows. No need to call a computer Tech anymore. You have everything you need at your fingertips!

Pre: Make sure you download the Ethernet and / or Wireless Networking driver from http://support.dell.com and save it on a disk, flash drive, CD etc.

A: Look at the Windows Product Key sticker on your Dell PC. Write down the version of Windows.

B: Take your Dell Windows Reinstallation CD/DVD and insert it into the cd/dvdrom drive.

C: Press F12 during bootup. Choose boot from CD/DVDRom.

D: Follow onscreen instructions and reload windows.

If you dont have a Reinstallation CD/DVD, you can go to: http://www.oemsoftwaresource.com or Dell for a replacement.

The Second Step: Follow windows Prompts and Reinstall Windows.

The Third Step: Reinstall the Network drivers then go to http://support.dell.com and download the rest of the drivers for your PC. Once all the drivers are downloaded. You can install them one by one.

Now your system should be Completely clean and new!

[jeremyhowell]

My friends computer is missing/has corrupted some of the install shield files, like it wont install IL2 Sturmovik 1946, it has errors in the installation, but other installs work fine. Its missing a few system files as well. Should I reinstall windos XP?

[Tihwa]

I try to reinstall my Windows XP use The CDs which came with Dell Desktop we brought years ago. However, after I run the CD and select the first option "Reinstall Windows XP" it indicates my current OS is newer than the OS in the CD. It would not run. How can I do?

[PatrickE.Kjosar]

I have a huge problem with my xp. you see, i got a virus that attached itself to an important file for the operating system (.exe). and my avg virus program didn't accept that. so it removed the whole file the virus was stuck to. in the first place it was the explorer.exe file that got removed. but i still managed to use the computer. then it attached to a file i can't remember the name on (still .exe) and now i can't log in on the PC, because the sign inn site does not appear when i turn it on. no matter how long i wait the blue screen with the log in information does not appear. what can i do to fix the problem?

[dickjr]

good site