Windows XP home:DON't WANT WINDOWS USE OLD SYSTEM SETTINGS!

Hmm.. This is basicly the story... I reformated my comp (via the windows xp home disk) and the Most annoying thing happened... my soundcard, printer and ethernet connections don't work! so I tried reformating again.... I've discovered that windows is some how keeping old settings even though i have reformated (deleted the partition etc..). Is there a way that you can make windows run like it first did when i got the computer (it dected various devices etc on the first boot up of windows) But now it doesn't detect anything (not motherboard... something do with windows)

 

Questions first.

Does that mean that the Computer is something like a Dell, HP, Compaq ? Or what is known as an OEM PC ?

In other words every thing was loaded when you got it.

If so then you more than likely will need a recovery disk made special for that machine.

BillyBob

 

Hi BB,

*If so then you more than likely will need a recovery disk made special for that machine.*

That may be true of HP/Compaq - IBM, not true of Dell and Gateway. Both seperate out the XP OS disc from the drivers and apps (OEM add ons).

The added complication for Compaq is a "hidden partition" on the "C" drive containg the "factory settings "

Regards - Charles

EDIT: Come to think of it, I installed Pro (generic) on a IBM Thinkpad laptop and didn't run into that. So I may be giving IBM a bum rap.

 

Hello hinata_sama

Need more info on the system for one thing.

You have bigger problems than "settings ". Settings in this context means user preferences and the like.

See if anything helps in these links:

http://www.moorer-software.com/articles/formatting.htm

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles.

That may be true of HP/Compaq - IBM, not true of Dell and Gateway. Both seperate out the XP OS disc from the drivers and apps (OEM add ons).

That may be true now.

But. Don't they still have ( or possibley have ) on the drivers and apps disk, machine specific hardware and drivers for same ?

BillyBob

 

Hi BB,

*But. Don't they still have ( or possibley have ) on the drivers and apps disk, machine specific hardware and drivers for same ?*

You're right, one obvious one is the specific Monitor driver.

Wouldn't that be true of a non-OEM system as well though? You would need drivers for whatever hardware you put together.

The origianal poster is not very clear on what they mean concerning "settings ". XP has native drivers, its up to the user to "override" them.

As of right now, I don't think the formating/install was done correctly or there is some other problem with the install disc.

I wish the system would have been specified.

Regards - Charles

 

Absolutely.

But at least with a non-OEM there is a very good chance that the basic Windows drivers will at least get you started.

At least I have never had a problem.

I did get the you know what scared out of me when I did install xp though. I HAD NO AUDIO

Solution. Plug the speakers in and turn the power on for them.

BillyBob

 

Hello hinata_sama,

I re-read your post:

*my soundcard, printer and ethernet connections don't work! so I tried reformating again.... I've discovered that windows is some how keeping old settings even though i have reformated (deleted the partition etc..).*

This seems to be a contradiction, your hardware - I assume this is what you mean by "old settings ", is not getting recognized and at the same time XP is keeping the old settings.

Is this new hardware? Old hardware? What exactly do you mean by *old settings*?

Regards - Charles

 

Well... first of all I really apreciate ur help!!!!

BeFORE i reformated everthing was alright but AFTER it was formated and windows xp home (OEM) was loaded onto it the problems started arising... then i formated it AGAIN still same probs...

P.s: I don't have an IBM, COMPAQ or HP

Specs....

P4 2.8 cpu c
256 DDR dual channel ram
80 gig ATA serial HD
geforce FX 5200
Pioneer A06 DVD Burner
17inch LCD Hyundai Monitor
Gigabyte mother board (supports ethernet etc inside)

 

oh! BTW it wasn't a OEM pc... and i have not Recovery disk

 

If you truely did format your hard disk and reinstalled windows, there's no way any old settings are being used. How did you come to this determination? It's really not clear just exactly what settings you're referring to. We need more of an explanation here.

Did you install the proper drivers for these?

 

As an after-thought, right click on my computer and choose properties. Click on the hardware tab and then on the device manager button. Do you see any yellow exclamation marks?

 

No Yellow marks.... (there were yellow exclaimation marks the first time it was formated...) hmm... maybe i was wrong about the machine remembering the old settings... what i trying to do is to get windows to redectect my stuff....

 

Your ethernet card should be recognized from XP's software- it is called your LAN in Network Connections of the Control Panel. Your sound may need enabled. Go to Sounds in control panel, click hardware Tab, highlight your sound hardware and click properties. That will bring up a box allowing you to troubleshoot or update (or roll back) drivers. Unplug everything that's not essential, and reboot, adding each piece of hardware one at a time. If your printer came with a cd, you may need to install it, if the unplugging and plugging in at boot (plug in when you see the hypnotic blue bar on the Windows splash screen) trick doesn't work. I would definitely do that with the modem- your ethernet card might be fine, but the modem may have misplaced it's lease. You may even need to call your ISP and have them reset you if you haven't been online in awhile, or your hardware has changed dramatically. Once you are online, you can search out updated drivers for all your peripherals and hardware. XP is very good at "finding things ", but sometimes it needs a boost. Post back and let us know how it's going.

Johanna

 

Hi hinata_sama,

"and i have not Recovery disk "

Don't need one if you have an XP OS disc. What you seem to need are the drivers.

Regards - Charles

EDIT: Once you get the drivers you’re missing:

Not only install them from a website, but also save them to the HD and burn them to a cd so that if you re-install, you’ve got the drivers to reload as well.

That is what "recovery cd’s" have along with the OS in the case of for example Compaq. In the case of Dell and Gateway and others, the drivers are on their own cd’s which then might have to be updated.