Defective XP disk

[Not so quick]

I might have a defective XP disk. I've done everything
but replace the motherboard because of a seeming
random reboot problem that happens every 20 minutes
or so, if the computer gets to the desktop without
rebooting during post.

Anyway, I bought an OEM version from Fry's Electronics.
How do I get a replacement disk on an OEM disk that was
bought from a retailer? I wonder if Microsoft meant for
retailers to sell OEM versions to end users. I wasn't told that
I would not have any tech support, as is with the normal
upgrade... oh well.

TIA : -)

 

[D.Currie]

I might have a defective XP disk. I've done everything
but replace the motherboard because of a seeming
random reboot problem that happens every 20 minutes
or so, if the computer gets to the desktop without
rebooting during post.

Anyway, I bought an OEM version from Fry's Electronics.
How do I get a replacement disk on an OEM disk that was
bought from a retailer? I wonder if Microsoft meant for
retailers to sell OEM versions to end users. I wasn't told that
I would not have any tech support, as is with the normal
upgrade... oh well.

TIA : -)

MS won't replace oem disks. You'd have to see if Frys will replace it, but I
doubt it.

What makes you think the problem is the disk?

 

[Ferris]

ya' gets whatcha paid for...Frye's eh...well...call them.....save a
penny...spend a buck....

 

[Cerridwen]

I might have a defective XP disk. I've done everything
but replace the motherboard because of a seeming
random reboot problem that happens every 20 minutes
or so, if the computer gets to the desktop without
rebooting during post.

Anyway, I bought an OEM version from Fry's Electronics.
How do I get a replacement disk on an OEM disk that was
bought from a retailer? I wonder if Microsoft meant for
retailers to sell OEM versions to end users. I wasn't told that
I would not have any tech support, as is with the normal
upgrade... oh well.

TIA : -)

I fail to follow your logic here. Random rebooting, therefore the Windows
disc must be faulty. Yes, of course, that must be the reason.

Suggest you boot into safe mode and right click my computer > Properties >
Advanced > button under Startup and Recovery > Uncheck 'reboot on failure'.

The next time it happens you will see a blue screen. Post the exact error
here (and I can guarantee it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Windows
disc).

It usually boils down to one of three things: -

1) Faulty hardware

2) Outdated or faulty drivers

3) Incompatible software

Never a faulty Windows disc.

And you're incapable of doing any research to learn what the restrictions of
an OEM licence are?! It's half the price of the full retail version, for
Hades sake, and you didn't think to ask why?!

The fault, sir, is entirely yours.

And how do you think you'd exchange the disc?! Use your common sense (if you
have any - you've not demonstrated much thus far!)

 

[Cerridwen]

I fail to follow your logic here. Random rebooting, therefore the
Windows disc must be faulty. Yes, of course, that must be the reason.

Suggest you boot into safe mode and right click my computer >
Properties > Advanced > button under Startup and Recovery > Uncheck
'reboot on failure'.

The next time it happens you will see a blue screen. Post the exact
error here (and I can guarantee it has nothing whatsoever to do with
the Windows disc).

It usually boils down to one of three things: -

1) Faulty hardware

2) Outdated or faulty drivers

3) Incompatible software

Never a faulty Windows disc.

And you're incapable of doing any research to learn what the
restrictions of an OEM licence are?! It's half the price of the full
retail version, for Hades sake, and you didn't think to ask why?!

The fault, sir, is entirely yours.

And how do you think you'd exchange the disc?! Use your common sense
(if you have any - you've not demonstrated much thus far!)

Sorry that should have read "Faulty or incompatibl hardware".

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

As others have stated, you need to talk to the supplier about a replacement.

That said, before blaming the CD, you really should do some detective work
to see if the source is on your setup otherwise, you could acquire a
replacement CD only to find you still have the problem. At least rule out
some possible sources; see below:

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
Note: you should always be well backed up before running an application of
this type.

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. Do not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft. *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are well backed
up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore point in
System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver update
and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Random, periodic reboots are almost _never_ caused by the OS, but
rather are caused by defective hardware or incompatible/corrupted
device drivers. As you say you've replaced everything but the
motherboard, and as the motherboard is, in my years of experience, the
most second likely suspect for such a problem, I'd suggest you look in
that direction.

As for replacing a suspected defective installation CD, you can
contact Microsoft if it was a retail CD, or the PC manufacturer (or
other vendor) if it was an OEM CD.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

That's an improvement? ;-}

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Cerridwen]

Greetings --

That's an improvement? ;-}

Bruce Chambers

OK so I don't proof read! LOL!!

 

[Not so quick]

MS won't replace oem disks. You'd have to see if Frys will replace it, but I
doubt it.

What makes you think the problem is the disk?

I got an error when I was trying to reinstall, used some
disk goop, and it installed. I've narrowed it down, I think
to either the motherboard or something weird.

Fry's kind of sucks for selling OEMs to end users.

 

[Not so quick]

I fail to follow your logic here. Random rebooting, therefore the Windows
disc must be faulty. Yes, of course, that must be the reason.

Suggest you boot into safe mode and right click my computer > Properties >
Advanced > button under Startup and Recovery > Uncheck 'reboot on failure'.

The next time it happens you will see a blue screen. Post the exact error
here (and I can guarantee it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Windows
disc).

It usually boils down to one of three things: -

1) Faulty hardware

2) Outdated or faulty drivers

3) Incompatible software

Never a faulty Windows disc.

And you're incapable of doing any research to learn what the restrictions of
an OEM licence are?! It's half the price of the full retail version, for
Hades sake, and you didn't think to ask why?!

The fault, sir, is entirely yours.

And how do you think you'd exchange the disc?! Use your common sense (if you
have any - you've not demonstrated much thus far!)

Thanks for the advice about the error message but you are
being an ass by saying that it is my fault that I bought an OEM
disk. First, it wasn't that much cheaper and there is no way that
anyone who wasn't experienced would know the problems.
Fry's shouldn't be selling OEMs to end users. It seems you are
trying to translate your specialized knowledge into some kind
of indicator of superior intelligence.

 

[Not so quick]

As others have stated, you need to talk to the supplier about a replacement.

That said, before blaming the CD, you really should do some detective work
to see if the source is on your setup otherwise, you could acquire a
replacement CD only to find you still have the problem. At least rule out
some possible sources; see below:

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
Note: you should always be well backed up before running an application of
this type.

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. Do not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft. *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are well backed
up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore point in
System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver update
and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore


--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

I did a clean install on a second hard drive but haven't
installed virus software. I replaced the video card,
disabled all of the devices in the device manager except
the disks, controllers, mouse, keyboard, and monitor,
disabled shadowing and cache in the bios, booted in
safe mode, removed all of the peripherals I could,
checked the heat settings, removed the RAM and put
in one stick at a time, got the newest drivers for the
motherboard, called MSI and moved the memory from
slots 1 and 2 to slots 1 and 3, but didn't flash the bios
because Fry's gave me a hard time before when I did
that and told me I screwed up the onboard sound by
flashing the RAM, which MIS said was impossible.
I did a couple of other things I can't remember right
now.