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Reinstalling windows xp after repair shop installed another version

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by artful, 2007/08/12.

  1. 2007/08/12
    artful

    artful Inactive Thread Starter

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    My computer was repaired and an unregistered copy of xp pro was put on my system. Though the tech gave me a serial number, it stopped working and I can't get any windows updates. I purchased an official xp pro and have tried to install it but get the message GOBACK is not compatible with the installation and it stops. Because I am having other problems on my system, I want to format my C drive and start clean. My drive is partitioned into two sections c and r. Is it possible to go to a c prompt, switch drive to r and format c? And then, will the windows installation automatically install on the blank c drive?

    Also is it possible to copy all the drivers you already have on a system so you can use them for a fresh install of xp - my device driver disks are old and I'm worried something won't install properly.

    Sorry to run on but formatting scares the heck out of me. Thanks for any info......Michelle
     
    artful,
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  2. 2007/08/13
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Michelle

    The first thing you must do is to disable GoBack - I used that in the dim and distant past and seem to remember here is a facility to do that as the computer boots.

    Then follow the instructions in my notes below .....
    It is not possible to copy the drivers as they are installed in the system - before you format visit the various manufacturer's websites to download the appropriate drivers which will be exe (executable) files and burn them to CD.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2007/08/14
    artful

    artful Inactive Thread Starter

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    Ok..now I have two windows operating systems installed....

    How dumb can you get...the partition information never came up the installation just went without asking about partition. How to you get to the bio on your computer? Sorry for being so ignorant about simple items. Michelle

    THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP AND INFORMATION. I really mean it. ......thanks.
     
    artful,
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  5. 2007/08/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Well, I don't know how you managed that :) Did you boot from the CD (essential) or installed through Windows? I suspect the latter.
    To enter the BIOS press F1 or Del as soon as the POST screen appears on powering up - usually there is a message on the POST screen indicating which key to press (they differ between different makes of BIOS) and BIOS is often referred to as Setup.

    BTW - what do you intend to do in the BIOS - set the boot order?
     
    PeteC,
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  6. 2007/08/14
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    From experience I suggest that you change that to Floppy/CD/HD

    To this day I have NEVER gotten a good clean install/reinstall of ANY version of windows when doing anything other than booting to a good old fashioned clean DOS floppy with CD support, from a POWER OFF STATE to more assure that RAM is CLEAR.
    I believe ( it-or not by Ripley ) that a warm re-boot may not allow RAM to clear compleatly. And anything that is in RAM is considered in-use and may not get overwriten properly.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  7. 2007/08/14
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    BillyBob,

    Your advice is not applicable to XP since it has a bootable installation CD and additionally XP does not run on top of a DOS OS as the older Window OS's did.

    You need not use a boot floppy to install XP although it can be done but why complicate the issue?
     
    surferdude2,
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  8. 2007/08/14
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    artful, you have inadvertantly set up a dual boot system with two XP versions.

    To get rid of the original system (the one that had GoBack installed) you will need to boot to it from the Boot Options screen and from the Add/Remove programs area of Control Panel, uninstall GoBack. Then you will be able to use that partition to install a clean copy of Windows. That was what Pete told you originally but you missed his point.

    BTW, when making this new install, at the proper screen you will be given the chance to delete the other installation partition. Do so at that time. You can recover the partition later after the install by using Disk Management in Windows.
     
    surferdude2,
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  9. 2007/08/14
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    Another side of the story.

    What is so complicated about making sure that RAM is clear so that things get overwritten properly ?

    Just for the heck of it I just looked and I find files in my C:\Windows folder dating WAY back to 12/5/1991.

    My IO.sys in the root folder is dated 5/11/98.

    Maybe not for the original/first install. But for a reinstall or a repair instal RAM NEEDS TO BE CLEAR for it to work properly. And booting from a power off state to a floppy more gaurrentees that.

    And reagardless of what new users may think DOS is NOT dead if used properly.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  10. 2007/08/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    BB

    If the install CD is inserted in the drive with the computer powered up - which it must be of course to open the drawer and then powered down the RAM will be cleared. I would tend to agree with you that a restart after inserting the CD as opposed to a cold boot could have implications in that the RAM may not be cleared.
     
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  11. 2007/08/14
    artful

    artful Inactive Thread Starter

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    Another Issue has arisen

    I can get the cd to install windows with the blue screen and it goes into the acceptance agreement..and from there I assume I could do the partitioning...but in order to proceed I must hit the F8 key for agreement..only the sucker won't work..it's dead as a doornail.....thats why I couldn't do the partition. Second I can't delete goback - it doesn't show up under the add/remove programs section....I managed to bring up the menu screen for goback...got message said the installation was damaged and to reinstall - ha ha.....so I did what was probally the wrong thing...I just went and deleted all files with GOBACK in them (Don't yell).

    I wanted to get into the bios based on the suggestions here so that the computer would boot from CD but I can get it to do that by hitting any key when the system boots when the Windows CD is in the machine.

    I'm going to try and delete the second windows installation as suggested here. Surely I'll ***** something up here as well.

    Thanks for the info...Michelle
     
    artful,
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  12. 2007/08/14
    artful

    artful Inactive Thread Starter

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    Deleting the Other Version of Windows

    I'm sorry to be so dense, but how do I delete the second windows application...it isn't listed under add/remove programs function. I honestly am having a hard time following the previous boot discussion. Thanks for any inf....Michelle
     
    artful,
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  13. 2007/08/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Remove the CD :) - and try again.

    OK :eek: :eek: :eek: Not wise :( I guess you don't have the install disk for GoBack to reinstall it and then uninstall it conventionally.

    Would you happen to know if the C:\ drive is formatted FAT32 or NTFS. If you are till in a bootable state right click the drive in My Computer > Properties - the file system is given there.
    How did you manage to install the other copy of Windows - I assume you had to accept the Licence Agreement then?
     
    PeteC,
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  14. 2007/08/14
    artful

    artful Inactive Thread Starter

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    Agreement Never came up in other installs

    Should I try and install from the boot again? I'm worried the function key won't work again.....Michelle
     
    artful,
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  15. 2007/08/14
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Yes - you have nothing to lose.

    What about my other questions?
     
    PeteC,
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  16. 2007/08/14
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    You can visit the Roxio GoBack site and download the file necessary for uninstalling GoBack in spite of what you have done. I'm busy now and will check back later to see if you need further details.
     
    surferdude2,
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  17. 2007/08/14
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    The partition with GoBack installed will not be available nor will the XP install be able to see it unless you uninstall GoBack. GoBack hooks the Master Boot Record and installs code following the MBR that causes an offset in the location of the file tables.

    Not knowing what version of GoBack you have make it hard to determine where to send you for relief.

    There is a file available named GoBack_prog.exe that you can download (free) and it will possibly restore the MBR so you can use that partition again. There are other ways but they take longer and require more expertise. Do the easy way first.

    I did a preliminary search and found this thread which may be helpful. Do a search on your own if that doesn't fit your version of GoBack. I'm sure you'll find what you need since this isn't a new situation.
     
    surferdude2,
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  18. 2007/08/14
    artful

    artful Inactive Thread Starter

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    Success!!!!

    Well...something worked, I was able to do the partitioning steps you guys told me to do and it worked. One odd thing on the partition that I didn't delete, there appears that there is a Windows folder on that drive....I think I'll just ignore it - why fool around with fate...

    THANK YOU THANKYOU THANK YOU THANKYOU THANK YOU

    I was just about to call the Geek Squad-which at a minimum would have cost me $249....

    Now I'll just try and keep the system clean although I thought I had all the bells and whistles to keep me from getting a virus.

    Take care you wizards of computerdom. Michelle
     
    artful,
    #17
  19. 2007/08/15
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    From some not so nice experiences of my own I suuggest that you get rid of that ( I suspect unused ) Windows folder.
    If you do your own installs and are carefull it may not be too bad. But any Auto installs may be problems.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
    #18

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