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Laptop Mysteries

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by rollinondubs, 2004/07/25.

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  1. 2004/07/25
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    I just purchased a laptop from a friend and I'm encountering some things I'm hoping to get help with.

    First problem is that during the boot, I get a screen asking me to choose an operating system. The choices are Windows XP Professional Edition and Windows XP Professional Setup. If I don't choose, it proceeds to Windows XP Professional Setup. If I do choose, the computer boots up normally, but Internet Explorer will not pull up any webpages, despite a fully functioning connection. Not sure if I need to reinstall a clean version of Windows at this point, or even how to go about that given its current condition.

    Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

    Whompus
     
    rollinondubs,
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  2. 2004/07/25
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    rollinondubs - Welcome to the Board :)

    It looks like you have a couple of XP installs, one incomplete and the other with a problem.

    If you have only just acquired the laptop and have no personal data on it and access to the Win XP install CD and any other software that might be installed on it I would recommend a clean start - format and reinstall XP.

    As there is already a copy or copies of XP on the hard drive the best way to go about this is ....

    Check in your BIOS that 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.

    If reinstalling creates a problem for you let us know - the choice of Operating System can be easily resolved by editing the boot.ini file - post back for info on this. The problem with IE should be capable of resolution, but, IMO, a clean strt would be a sound move.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2004/07/25
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    Which drive/partition to delete?

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


    I am stuck on this one. The partitions as listed are:

    -: Partition1 [FAT ] 31 MB ( 24 MB free)
    C: Partition2 [NTFS ] 38115 MB ( 32592 free)
    Unpartitioned space 8 MB

    Which one do I delete?

    Thanks much for the help.

    Whompus
     
    rollinondubs,
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  5. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Delete them both - quote from How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP ....

    "All the existing partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partition or the unpartitioned space where you want to create a new partition. Press D to delete an existing partition, or press C to create a new partition by using unpartitioned space. If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each of the existing partitions that you want to use for the new partition. When all the partitions are deleted, select the remaining unpartitioned space, and then press C to create the new partition. "

    If you want to partition the drive - good idea, now is the time to do it. Enter a value of, say 15 Gb, large enough for most XP + program installs and install XP to that partition. The remainder of the disk can be partitioned/formatted in XP. Right click My Computer > Manage > Disk Management and right click on unallocated space on the drive > partition/format.
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    Not able to delete partition 2

    I successfully deleted one of the parititions so that I now have 2 entries of unpartitioned space (one 31 MB, the other 8 MB), however, when I try to delete Partition2, I get the following message:

    Setup is unable to perform the requested operation on the selected partition. This partition contains temporary Setup files that are required to complete installation.

    What am I doing wrong?

    Thanks much for your continued help.

    Whompus
     
    rollinondubs,
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  7. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You are doing nothing wrong - Windows is being protective :) The drive appears to contain, as I suspected, an incomplete install of Windows on that other partition.

    I suggest you load Windows to the 31 Mb 'partition' and hopefully the other partition can be formatted through Windows when it is up and running.

    Post back - out for a while now and out this evening.
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    Install

    Installed Windows XP Professional. When computer boots up now it gives me a choice between two Windows XP Professional selections. The first one uploads while the second one doesn't.

    When Windows uploads from the first selection, I'm unable to access or setup an internet connection, and I can't change the monitor settings.

    Growing frustrated with this gray box.

    Whompus
     
    rollinondubs,
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  9. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Hmm - back to square 1 so to speak :(

    Although I'm tempted to try Fdisk - you will need a Win 98/Me start up disk for that, let's try this first ....

    Boot up Windows and right click on My Computer > Manage > Disk Management. You should see a graphical representation of the hard drive. The 31 Mb partition contains the OS that is running. Right click on the 38 Mb partition > Format.

    Will Windows allow this? Then post back - here for the next 2 1/2 hrs (until 7.30 pm UK time)

    Don't let a grey box full of chips get the better of you :D
     
    PeteC,
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  10. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    No luck

    I show C: partition NTFS Healthy (system 37.22 gb) 31.97 GB 85% free

    In the Disk O, basic 37.25 GB online, is shows 31MB unallocated and C: 37.22 GB NTFS Healthy (system), and when I right click, the format option is unavailable.
     
    rollinondubs,
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  11. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If you right click on the unallocated space do you have the option to create a partition?

    In Windows Explorer on the partition which is booted up how many Windows folders do you have? The name may vary slightly between the two, if there are two.

    Post back.
     
    PeteC,
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  12. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    I can create a partition. It takes me to the wizard.

    I show 1 windows folder in windows explorer.
     
    rollinondubs,
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  13. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    That's fine - the unallocated space can be made into one or more partitions and formated - later.

    The problem lies on the partitioned part of the drive. In Windows Explorer go Tools > Folder Options > View and check 'Show hidden files ....' and uncheck 'Hide protected operating system files'.

    Then go to C: and look for boot.ini - right click > open. Opens in NotePad > Edit > Select All and paste in your next post.

    You should see something like this ....

    [boot loader]
    timeout=30
    default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
    [operating systems]
    multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS= "Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

    but probably with a couple of systems listed.
     
    PeteC,
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  14. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    Followed your steps. When I open C:, I don't see boot.ini. I see a Boot file for configuration settings, and a BOOTSECT DOS file.
     
    rollinondubs,
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  15. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Well that's not only :confused: , but also weird. Have you any idea what your friend tried to do to that PC? They are not Win 98 files, possibly Me, but I don't have a PC with that running.

    Time to take the bull by the horns and return to basics - fdisk.

    Does the laptop have a floppy drive? If so ....

    Do you have a Win 98 start up floppy? If not download one from www.bootdisk.com - DOS > Win 98SE and fdisk to remove all partitions and format. Then boot from the XP CD and make a clean install.

    Guide to fdisk here

    No idea where you are in the world - probably just down the road :D, but I'll check back later this evening - going out in 45 mins.

    Post back re floppy drive before then, please.
     
    PeteC,
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  16. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    He said that he ran into problems with a search engine hijacking and tried to fix it with Hijack This. Seems to me he deleted some things that shouldn't have been deleted, then went about trying to correct the problem without any help or real knowledge how to proceed.

    The laptop is a Dell Inspiron 1150. I have all the reinstall cds from Dell. The laptop has a CD/DVD drive. No floppy drive.

    I'm in Napa California. Time is 11:00 am
     
    rollinondubs,
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  17. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Unwise without the appropriate knowledge, but that is water under the bridge :)

    Shame about the lack of a floppy, but that's the trend these days.

    Please try this approach .....

    Right click > My Computer > Manage > Disk Management - right click on the unallocated space > make partition and format FAT 32.

    Try and install XP to that new partition - if succesful delete the entire contents of the other partition. May be more to do after that, but let's see if we can get that far.

    Love the SW United states - visited 7 times wearing my other hat - photographer - see my web site (click on my name in a post for drop down list)

    Out now, back by 10.30 BST - 2.30 pm your time.

    Good luck!
     
    PeteC,
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  18. 2004/07/26
    rollinondubs

    rollinondubs Inactive Thread Starter

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    hmmmm. I did as you instructed, and when I formatted to Fat32, I got a message saying there wasn't enough space, but it looks as though it created an E: partition on disc 0 at 31 MB Healthy. No mention of FAT32 beneath file system tab.

    When I boot up now, I have 2 options of Windows XP Professional. Both open ok, but I cannot adjust the display settings, access any kind of internet connection or setup to connect, and I the option of stand by is unactive.

    So goes the mystery.....

    Again, many thanks for your help and patience with this matter.
     
    rollinondubs,
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  19. 2004/07/26
    dobhar Lifetime Subscription

    dobhar Inactive

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    Hi Pete...

    Sorry to butt in...but I wanted to check as we have a few Dell PC's and Laptop's here at work and don't want to damage them when reloading...isn't the 31 MB partition the Dell Diagnostics partition?

    http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/deke/d600/diag.htm
     
    dobhar,
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  20. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Kent

    Butt in all you want - may need a bit of help here :D

    Dell was only mentioned towards the end of this thread - my aim is to format the entire disk and start over - right or wrong?
     
    PeteC,
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  21. 2004/07/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    rollinondubs

    Maybe not :) Driving out tonight I suddenly thought - drivers. My guess is that as the disk has been formatted you need to load the mobo drivers, and the modem driver, video driver (probably), and so on. These should be on one of the Dell CD's you have.
     
    PeteC,
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