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Major PC Problems

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by chvyangl2000, 2006/01/10.

  1. 2006/01/10
    chvyangl2000

    chvyangl2000 Inactive Thread Starter

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    My friend has an HP that runs Windows ME. She's been having problems with it for well over a year. Now she's trying to get XP Professional installed. Here are a few problems we've encountered. Possible Spyware-install id53, cannot download spyware or virus scans because of errors, cannot reformat pc using start menu-run-cmd-option, HP Recovery cd does not remove anything, not enough space on hard drive to partition and run both... At this time, I cannot remember other problems but I'm sure there are more. If you have any suggestions other than purchasing a new pc, please feel free. Thanks!
     
    chvyangl2000,
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  2. 2006/01/10
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Hello chvyangl2000,
    welcome to the Windows BBS ...... :) ...... !

    You didn't mention the exact model number but start by visiting the HP homepage to find out if any specific (for WinXP) drivers are needed. If any are, download them.

    If the WinXP CD doesn't have SP2 included, download SP2 from Windows XP Service Pack 2 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers and don't forget to choose the correct language version.

    Burn the drivers and SP2 to CD.

    Download DelPart , extract the file and copy it to a WinME start disk.

    Copy any personal data from the current WinME installation to CD because the next step will delete everything and is irreversible.

    Put the WinME start disk in the FDD and restart the computer. When at the A: command prompt, type: delpart > ENTER. Follow the prompts to delete all partitions on the hard disk. When completed, remove the floppy and insert the WinXP CD. Restart the computer, which should boot from the CD and the installation should commence. Follow the prompts to create and format C: on the empty hard disk (and the prompts to complete the installation).

    Next, install SP2 and the downloaded drivers.

    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2006/01/10
    Christer,
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  4. 2006/01/11
    chvyangl2000

    chvyangl2000 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Major Computer Problems Reply

    Ok, thanks. I looked up the Model Number... xg823. I think she tried, earlier today, to reformat the pc by using disk 1 of 3 of the ME recovery set again. She wrote this down.... WARNING Information WARNING There were errors recovering some files. The Recovery CD may be damaged or your CD drive could be malfunctioning. Remove the CD and press OK to reboot your machine. She has used this cd before and hasn't had any problems with it. She said she gets system32 and .dll errors all the time. She has told me so many things that goes wrong I can't keep them all straight. For some reason, she gets... Reinstall <windowsroot>\system32\hal.dll. Can you suggest anything on this? I think the XP installation may have to wait. We need to figure out what is wrong with the pc and why she can't reformat. Thanks for your help!!
     
    chvyangl2000,
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  5. 2006/01/11
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    I am a bit confused as to why she is still messing with the WinME recovery disks but to make it clear: I strongly advice NOT to upgrade the system from WinME to WinXP. The problems will most likely be "integrated" in the upgraded system. Have her do a clean installation of WinXP from square one.

    She will get to square one by throwing the WinME recovery disks in the bin and following the steps in my previous post. DelPart will remove everything, the problem and the user data so, make sure that she backs up the user data to CDs.

    A search of hp.com for "xg823" gave Software & Driver downloads - HP Pavilion xg823 Desktop PC (US) . I don't think that she has to worry since the drivers are of 2001 vintage. Suitable drivers will be installed by WinXP.

    By the way: If the WinXP CD is an upgrade, the previous operating system does not have to be installed. A clean installation can be done but she will be prompted for evidence of the previous operating system by temporarily inserting the WinME CD. I don't know how that will work if she only has a recovery set.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  6. 2006/01/11
    chvyangl2000

    chvyangl2000 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Major Computer Problems Reply

    You have been such a help. I will tell her to try all you have suggested. No one else I have asked could help. Everything they suggested failed. Just to make sure I've got this all right... If this Delpart works, its going to get rid of all viruses and spyware and she'll be as good as new? The new XP will have its own system files and drivers and everything she needs to go? I am so happy, or will be if this works. Thank you so much!
     
    chvyangl2000,
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  7. 2006/01/11
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Yes, everything on the hard disk will be deleted. She will start over from square one by creating a new partition [C:], doing a full format to NTFS and letting the installer proceed to setup WinXP.

    That is an assumption on my part but given that the drivers are from 2001, the XP CD should contain compatible versions.

    When the installation of WinXP has finished, if SP2 is not included, the first item on the agenda is to install the downloaded SP2.

    Check the Device Manager to see if there is any yellow "?" mark(s). If not, WinXP had what is needed.

    Post back with the results, good (preferrably) or bad (then maybe we can help).

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  8. 2006/01/12
    chvyangl2000

    chvyangl2000 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Major Computer Problems

    Reinstall <windowsroot>\system32\hal.dll This is giving all the problems, I think. She tried the delpart thing and it was a no go. She has missing files. The one above is the main one I believe she keeps getting. Is there anyway gor me to get that on my computer to burn a cd for her or how should we go about that? Another big problem is trying to download things on her computer. It keeps telling her there are missing files. We tried downloading a boot disk from the HP website onto my computer. I put it on a cd (my dell has no floppy drive) and she tried to make a floppy out of it on her computer. When she tried to use the floppy it told her the files were corrupt. She has tried several different ways to format her computer and finally got it to start formatting, but then it stopped because of too many bad clusters. Any ideas now? Maybe we should just burn it!
     
    chvyangl2000,
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  9. 2006/01/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    It has never failed me to delete all partitions on a hard disk using DelPart ...... :confused: ...... I'm always worried to make a mistake and wipe the wrong hard disk!

    The hard disk seems to be going south and that may be the reason for the failure of DelPart.

    Well, the hard disk at least is history!

    I checked HP for the specifications: A 700 MHz Celeron and 64 MB RAM is not a good hardware environment for WinXP. Even if RAM is increased to the maximum 512 MB, the processor is not up to it. Since a new hard disk is needed as well ...... :rolleyes: ...... the investment would be to high to get a "not really good" computer.

    My recommendation is to send her shopping for a new one!

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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  10. 2006/01/12
    chvyangl2000

    chvyangl2000 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Major Computer Problems

    Well, thanks for all your help. You have helped more than most anybody we have asked about it. Tax season is coming up so I would imagine she will be getting a new pc. Thanks again.
     
    chvyangl2000,
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  11. 2006/01/12
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    chvyangl2000,
    you're welcome ...... :) ...... !

    Christer
     
    Christer,
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