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Start in DOS mode

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by stinkymonkey, 2006/01/20.

  1. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    How do I start my computer so it will go straight to dos mode so I can reformat?
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  2. 2006/01/20
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    You can not start a WinXP comoputer in DOS mode because there is no DOS.

    If you want to reinstall the system, boot the computer from the WinXP CD and follow the prompts.

    Any partition other than the system partition can be formated from within WinXP > Disk Manager.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  4. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    The problem that I am having is this. I put in the restore cd and I follow the prompts. as windows is installing it gets to 34 minutes left and it freezes. I have no idea what this could be. I have no idea what to do. Any help would be great. And everytime I restart my computer so that I can get to where I was before the installation, it goes back to the setup where I left off and then freezes again.
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  5. 2006/01/20
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Have you disconnected all peripheral hardware, such as scanner, printer, card reader, etc? Anything that can "disturb" the installation is better to install separately instead of the WinXP installer trying to install them.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    When it gets to installing devices, a window pops up and asks me if I want to install a third party graphics driver that I had on my comp. before I tried the reinstall. No matter what I put: Yes, No. It freezes shortley after that.....
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  7. 2006/01/20
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Did you have any specific problem which was the reason for the recovery?

    Is the graphics card an add on or a replacement? If so, replace with the original or run on integrated graphics during the installation and put the new one in afterwards.

    ... and as I said in the previous post, disconnect all peripheral hardware.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    I did what you said and it worked. You are the man...
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  9. 2006/01/20
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Good news ...... :) ...... but I suggested a few things ...... :confused: ...... which worked, peripheral hardware or the graphics card?

    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2006/01/20
    Christer,
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  10. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ok **** it. So I get through the installation and now when I boot up its just a black screen. What the hell is going on here? Oh yeah, i just disconnected all my usb devices and it worked. Any ideas now? Im mean its literally just a blank screen after the bios...........
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  11. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ummm, but it will start up in Safe mode. And all of my programs are still there. I thought that a clean install would remove everything? This is crazy:eek:
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  12. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    ok it will start normally now. But whats with all my programs still being there?
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  13. 2006/01/20
    skeet6961

    skeet6961 Inactive

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    something is wrong in u'r method. it's probably simple but hard to convey w/o the terminology being straight.

    do u have a restore disc? or a REAL windows xp installation disc?

    a restore disc CAN reinstall applications as well as the os. but a real win install disc will ONLY install the OS. many pre-built vendor discs are nothing more than a boot loader that points to the install files on the HD in a hidden partition.

    so if u'r disc is a true win installer and u did a 'clean' install but still have programs - other than the default applets included w/ win - then u'r method is not proper.

    note - the MS windows install disc's 'readme.txt' file explains step x step how to do all variants of the install process. u want the clean one ;)
     
    skeet6961,
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  14. 2006/01/20
    stinkymonkey

    stinkymonkey Inactive Thread Starter

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    I see. I have a restore disc. So I cant do a clean install unless I reformat with a restore disc?
     
    stinkymonkey,
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  15. 2006/01/20
    rsinfo

    rsinfo SuperGeek Alumni

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    If you use restore disk you would loose ALL your data. Your computer would return to the state in which it was shipped from the factory. Its basically like doing a fresh install but with no control on the outcome.
     
    rsinfo,
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  16. 2006/01/21
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    What make and model number of the computer?

    Some recovery disks have the option of non-destructive recovery (will not format and affects only system files) or destructive recovery (will format, probably quick, and the computer gets returned to factory fresh condition). My guess is that you are doing a "non-destructive" recovery.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #15
  17. 2006/01/21
    skeet6961

    skeet6961 Inactive

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    in that case u should refer to the manufacturer's docs/directions on 'how to' reinstall. check them and follow accordingly for the most part. they should have different methods avail. one being total destructive reinstall - which i would choose if i were u. this is a 'clean' install and does wipe it all so ... backup beforehand if u wanna retain anything.
     
    skeet6961,
    #16

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