Re-install XP --You could die!

Finally decided I couldn't stand the slowness of XP's logon, shutdown, etc. So, I tried a re-install. Message said it should take between 60 - 90 minutes. About 3 hours later, after staring at the 39 minutes to go mark for about an hour, I threw in the sponge, and tried to abort the process. But, it wouldn't let me. Every time I rebooted I got a message that "set-up was restarting." Went into Safe Mode, but got a message that set-up can't run in Safe Mode. Looked like I was stuck forever at 39 minutes. Called MS, who eventually bailed me out using what they described as a special "repair installation ". I followed their instructions, but have no idea what the hell was going on, except that it worked, AND fixed all my speed problems.

Moral of this story: Re-install XP at your peril!

 

Can you expand on the specs of your machine?

 

P3/800, 256mb, 20gb h/d, XPsp1a

 

I don't really understand what you did. The inplace upgrade (repair installation) has always worked flawlessly for me.

What exactly did you attempt to do?

 

All I tried to do was to re-install XP by placing the XP CD in the drive and clicking on install. I was hoping that the re-install would overwrite the existing XP and cure all my problems. When the reinstallation broke down the MS rep led me thru a "repair installation ", something I'd never heard of. No mention of this in Windows Help.

 

They chose an unfortunate name for it. You may want to save this page on a floppy or somewhere, just in case:


How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

 

if the machine had just been rebuilt, and there is nothing to loose, then I think i would go with a fresh install instead of a repair.

reset bios to defaults, blow away partions start fresh. if there is still problem then i would start hardware troubleshooting.

t/s question; you said login and shutdown was slow? were any other apps, services or normal funtions pausing or lagging?

 

Re-installing XP is possible over an existing XP (home), but it ain't easy! Somewhere on that CD is a repair function, I just don't remember where. But, if you can get to that selection, and it asks for a password, just hit enter if you have'nt got one and the re-install will proceed. That's where I spent the $35.00.

 

A little late for you Davott but..........

If I have said this once I have said it 1000 times. It still bears repeating.

"IF" you are doing a reinstall or overlay fix or upgrade from what ever 98,ME, 2K, XP "any to any "! There is prep to do.

1. Cleanup the old OS if it is working, this includes
Windows and Internet temps

Old programs in add/remove ( those you don't use )

Old programs in \Program Files\ that have no add/remove entry ( those you don't use )

Full Virus scan and an online also to be sure

Spy/Adware removal

Clear the swap/page file

2. Scandisk/Chkdsk (this is especially important) and defrag

3. Disable all startups "ALL" even virus scanners and firewalls.

4. Unplug all cables, disconnect everything not nessesary to operate, printers internet connections. AND ESPECIALLY USB!

5. If you have a specialized interface card that you have previously had a problem with then remove it. It will be easier to reinstall it.

Do this and your chances of doing a successful upgrade/repair will be increased greatly. I have done litterly hundreds of upgrades and have not had an upgrade to fail. Some very few gave a problem that I had to handle. But none where I had to format and do a clean install.

Mike

 

And the answer is: You should reinstall XP over a previously installed XP upgrade by booting from the CD, not running the CD from within the existing XP. Doing so will run the "repair" procedure.

To boot up from the CD, open BIOS to Start Up, and change the boot up priority so your CD is first. You can later reverse this if you want to, but you don't have to, because it only works on bootable CD's, in the absence of which it boots normally from your second priority, which should be your hard drive.

 

Oh yes, that is correct. Boot from the CD or even floppies if nessesary!

I would never start setup from a running OS!

Mike