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Serious XP Problems

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by falksdw, 2004/03/03.

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  1. 2004/03/03
    falksdw

    falksdw Inactive Thread Starter

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    A friend dropped off a computer for me to look at. It is a Dell with XP Professional on it. To begin with, she installed a firewall. She then decided that she didn't need it and tried to uninstall it. After that is when the terror began. In a nutshell, the computer takes forever to load windows, and when it finally does load not much else can be done. Once in windows, if you click on an icon it shows the working cursor, then the cursor goes away and nothing happens. I've tried doing a system restore to no avail. I have my own personal copy of XP that I tried to run on it and it will take you into the install and stop. I have tried booting up in DOS and formatting the drive to start over from scratch but it tells me "format not supported on drive c: - format terminated "

    I'm lost, can anyone give me any advice?

    TIA,
    falksdw
     
    falksdw,
    #1
  2. 2004/03/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    As a format is clearly on your mind boot from the installation CD preferably your friend's - need to activate, remember.

    To make a clean install follow these instructions - from a previous post of mine ....

    Windows XP

    I am assuming that you have a Windows XP CD and not a Recovery disk Many Recovery disks destroy partition information and wipe the entire drive.

    Check in your BIOS hat the boot order is set CD/Floppy/HD

    Boot from the Windows CD "“ follow the on screen prompts "¦..

    To set up Windows XP now press ENTER

    Accept the Licence Agreement F8

    Searching for previous versions of Windows

    To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows without repairing press ESC

    Ensure that the drive/partition selected is the one on which XP was set up and press D to delete the selected partition.

    To delete the partition press ENTER

    To delete the partition press L "“ heed the warnings and DOUBLE CHECK before hitting L

    To create a partition in the unpartitioned space press C

    Accept max size and press ENTER

    To set up Windows XP on the selected item (Partition (New Raw)) press ENTER
    Format the partition using the NTFS file system "“ preferred unless you want an install of Win 98 to access data on the drive/partition, if so choose FAT.

    Set up is formatting "¦â€¦

    When format is complete XP will install.

    When complete install your antivirus and firewall before you even think of connecting to the Internet. Update the virus definitions immediately and then go to Windows Updates and download the Critical updates.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2004/03/03
    falksdw

    falksdw Inactive Thread Starter

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    :p Thanks a million PeteC!!!!!

    That was a perfect set of instructions.

    Even a complete newbie should be able to fix the problem with instructions written like that!!!!


    You are a lifesaver!

    falksdw
     
    falksdw,
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  5. 2004/03/03
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Well I just hope it works out for you :D
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2004/03/04
    Johanna

    Johanna Inactive Alumni

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    Whew, PeteC, thanks

    for saving me all that typing. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: PT stands for "Painful Torture! "

    I realized tonight that the questions at school are easier than the ones on the BBS. At school, it's not someone's real computer with their entire business or the only pics they have of their mother, and school is just theoretical questions. In school, you can skip a detail or two, and no one notices. On the BBS, you have to be as specific as possible, so that the poster knows what to expect. :eek:

    That particular post above is in my notes, so if you are goofing off one day, and don't have time to look in, it's ready!



    falksdw
    Post back and let us know how it goes. I doubt you'll have any trouble, but here is a link I picked up from PeteC a long time ago.
    Paul Thurrott XP Home and Pro Clean Install

    Check out
    this thread for some good internet security options. Sounds like you may have to hold her hand to get her computer protected.

    Johanna
     
    Johanna,
    #5
  7. 2004/03/04
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    My pleasure, Johanna :) - just a cut and paste from my notes too!

    Sorry to hear the PT continues - any respite in sight? Best wishes as always for rapid progress with the wrist.

    BTW - the Paul Thurrot article does not cover the case where XP is already installed.
     
    PeteC,
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