8 Replies
Last post:
Oct 28, 2007 9:35 AM by
rgreen4
Re: Reinstallation of Window XP Problem
Hi LifeSaver. Welcome to PCWorld. 
Okay, first thing I need to ask you is how old is your computer? Most modern computers come with either a recovery CD or a recovery partition. Either way, either already has Service Pack 2. Here are some more questions:
This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself
Okay, first thing I need to ask you is how old is your computer? Most modern computers come with either a recovery CD or a recovery partition. Either way, either already has Service Pack 2. Here are some more questions:
- From where did you find Service Pack 1? Please provide the url if possible.
- Why did you have to reinstall the Operating System in the first place?
- Do you remember the specifications of your computer before you reinstalled the Operating System?
- Were you able to successfully reinstall Windows and are now trying to install Service Pack 1?
- What is the manufacturer and model of your computer?
This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself
Re: Reinstallation of Window XP Problem
OK, let me answer your questions in order.
Okay, first thing I need to ask you is how old is your computer? My laptop is 4 yrs old.
Most modern computers come with either a recovery CD or a recovery partitio
n. Either way, either already has Service Pack 2. Correct. I have a CD with the {color:#0000ff}OS that was installed on my computer.
Here are some more questions:
- From where did you find Service Pack 1? Please provide the url if possible. {color:#0000ff}http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/winxpsp1.html
- Why did you have to reinstall the Operating System in the first place? I had been getting a number of dll and registry error messages over the past few weeks. I've kept my virus program up to date, run spyware programs and adaware programs consistently. So I purchased a program that was supposed to repair my registry. I ran it and rebooted. My system crashed. I had to install the OS again. I located by XP CD and began the installation process. I didn't learn until it was too late that it was an XP upgrade and not a full version. I had upgraded some time ago from Windows 98. So it partially installed and asked for the SP1 disk. I have not been able to get it to read the SP1 disk or a full XP version I borrowed. I cannot get it to read an external USB CD drive. It just continues to reboot from C:, coming back to the same SP1 prompt. It's groundhog day! None of the f8 selections makes any difference. It won't boot in safe mode either. When I select the boot from CD option it ignores it. I've removed the CD drive and the setup recognizes that there's no CD drive; when i insert the drive it recognizes that it's there. So whatever is keeping it from reading the CD won't let me reinstall anything.
- Do you remember the specifications of your computer before you reinstalled the Operating System? I'm not sure what specs you're referring to. I know I had been running XP and had downloaded both SP1 and SP2 in the past.
- Were you able to successfully reinstall Windows and are now trying to install Service Pack 1? NO. As desrcibed above, it hangs up during the process and I can't get it to read the CD.
- What is the manufacturer and model of your computer? It's a Dell 5150.
I have a hunch as to what is going on but please answer these questions first.
THANKS!
Re: Reinstallation of Window XP Problem
I agree with Spike. If what you have is an XP upgrade disc, the disc it should be asking for is any prior operating disc - Win98, Win95, Win3.1, Windows 2000 Pro, etc.
Look on the face of the original upgrade disc, it should be a hologram label and should say that it includes Service Pack 1 or 2. This would be on the upper right side of the disc just below the XP "flag"
I have never had an install disc ask for a Service Pak Disc.
Which version of XP are you attempting to install, and what year version. My upgrade discs are 2002, even though on the covers it says 2004, for that is when I bought them. My XP Home upgrade is SP2, my XP Pro upgrade is SP1 (although I do have the MS issued SP2 disc separately).
Look on the face of the original upgrade disc, it should be a hologram label and should say that it includes Service Pack 1 or 2. This would be on the upper right side of the disc just below the XP "flag"
I have never had an install disc ask for a Service Pak Disc.
Which version of XP are you attempting to install, and what year version. My upgrade discs are 2002, even though on the covers it says 2004, for that is when I bought them. My XP Home upgrade is SP2, my XP Pro upgrade is SP1 (although I do have the MS issued SP2 disc separately).
Re: Reinstallation of Window XP Problem
You have not answered one question that is crucial to your being able to reinstall XP - do you have access to a previous version of Windows CD? It must either be Windows 95/98/ME or Windows 2000/NT4.
If you do, set your BIOS to boot off the CD, and insert your Original XP Upgrade disc and then boot the machine. This is best done by turning on the machine and entering the Setup routine. I don't know offhand what the key stroke would be on a Dell, but on HP its to hit F10 when the text at the bottom of the screen says "<F10=Setup>", on most aftermarket motherboards its "<DEL>: BIOS Setup". Then in the BIOS setup change the boot sequence and before exiting, insert the CD in the drive. On exit, the machine will boot.
1. If you wish to try the repair option, read this document.
2. If you wish to try more here is another restore document.
3. If you wish to reformat the drive you can take the option to do a new installation, after that you will be given an option of installing in another folder (not recommended) or reformatting the drive which is the best option. At some point it will ask for the COA, which must be the COA in the upgrade package, since you have another OS on the sticker on the bottom of the machine. When the upgrade disc does not find a previous edition of Windows during the install it will ask you to insert the previous windows disc for verification of upgrade authorization. Only a previous Windows version CD will work. A Vista DVD will not work, nor will another XP disc, unless you are going from XP Home to XP Professional.
After reading the previous version CD file, it will ask you to remove the CD, reinsert the XP CD and it will continue.
A new HD will have the exact same process as #3, except you may not have to reformat, although it is recommended. It does offer the ability to have some backup of the files that you many think are backed up, but might not be.
Regardless, a reinstall will require a previous version of Windows CD if you are reinstalling XP from an upgrade disc.
If you do, set your BIOS to boot off the CD, and insert your Original XP Upgrade disc and then boot the machine. This is best done by turning on the machine and entering the Setup routine. I don't know offhand what the key stroke would be on a Dell, but on HP its to hit F10 when the text at the bottom of the screen says "<F10=Setup>", on most aftermarket motherboards its "<DEL>: BIOS Setup". Then in the BIOS setup change the boot sequence and before exiting, insert the CD in the drive. On exit, the machine will boot.
1. If you wish to try the repair option, read this document.
2. If you wish to try more here is another restore document.
3. If you wish to reformat the drive you can take the option to do a new installation, after that you will be given an option of installing in another folder (not recommended) or reformatting the drive which is the best option. At some point it will ask for the COA, which must be the COA in the upgrade package, since you have another OS on the sticker on the bottom of the machine. When the upgrade disc does not find a previous edition of Windows during the install it will ask you to insert the previous windows disc for verification of upgrade authorization. Only a previous Windows version CD will work. A Vista DVD will not work, nor will another XP disc, unless you are going from XP Home to XP Professional.
After reading the previous version CD file, it will ask you to remove the CD, reinsert the XP CD and it will continue.
A new HD will have the exact same process as #3, except you may not have to reformat, although it is recommended. It does offer the ability to have some backup of the files that you many think are backed up, but might not be.
Regardless, a reinstall will require a previous version of Windows CD if you are reinstalling XP from an upgrade disc.
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