Advice on purchasing XP Home

[Bugsy]

My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but still
powerful (or was, anyway).

My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
installed a HP printer last week.

I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says they
no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".

Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
$200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
THEY did not cause the crash.

I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots of
bad stuff about VISTA.

What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether to
buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer and
VISTA.

By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at a
store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
present software will NOT work with VISTA.

Thanks.

 

[Daave]

By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer
at a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much
of my present software will NOT work with VISTA.

Certain Dells may still be purchased with XP. See:

http://www.dell.com/content/product...&id=vostrodt_200mt&l=en&s=bsd&~tab=bundlestab

http://www.dell.com/content/learnmo...d&~id=hmc_os_vostro&~mode=popup&~series=latit

HPs also:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF04a/12454-12454-64287-321860-3328893.html

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and

unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
installed a HP printer last week...They are ADAMANT that
THEY did not cause the crash.

Horse hockey! If you paid by credit card, contest the charge. If you paid
by check, place a Stop order on it.

By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
a
store with Windows XP Home already installed...

More horse hockey! Dell, for instance, will be manufacturing WinXP machines
through the end of 2008...even if Best Buy doesn't sell them.

...and that much of my
present software will NOT work with VISTA.

That may be true.
====================================
FYI:

Geek Squad Soaks Your Computer, Blames You:
http://consumerist.com/378522/geek-squad-soaks-your-computer-blames-you

Top Geek Squad Stories To Date:
http://consumerist.com/consumer/roundups/top-geek-squad-stories-to-date-257316.php

LEAKED: 6 More Geek Squad Manuals:
http://consumerist.com/consumer/geek-squad/leaked-6-more-geek-squad-manuals-249910.php

 

[JS]

If you still have the Application CDs and the associated Key Codes then
those applications can be installed on your Gateway PC once it is back to
working condition.

You need to do a little research as to how much are these applications worth
if you need to replace them if you do decide to get a new PC loaded with
Vista.

Also there is a chance that even if you buy a new copy of XP, your hard
drive could be bad and will need replacement.
The cost of purchasing both Windows XP and a new drive need to be factored
in.

Then it would appear that you have limited knowledge about computer
hardware, as you had the Geeks install your printer.
So are you up to doing the XP Home install, possibly replacing a hard drive
and then installing the application you need as well as the printer by
yourself or do you need to Geek it again?

JS

 

[Bugsy]

First, I still have the application CDs for Works Suite 2006, and for
Quicken Basic 2007, which are the programs I use the most.

Second, although I am not an expert, I have been using a computer ever since
my first purchase of the Apple II+ many years ago (I am a 66-year-old Ph.D.
who may be getting a bit senile. . . LOL)

The reason I had the "Geek Squad" install my new HP printer, was because I
could NOT get it to install . . . despite FOUR attempts, including complete
"uninstall" and new "install" attempts.

They said that they had to create a NEW administrator account; then install
the HP software; then remove the new administrator account AFTER
installation.

This tells me that the Windows software MAY have had a problem, which caused
the difficulty with my initial install attempt. The "GEEK" who installed
the HP printer software remarked to me: "we had a hell of a time getting
it on the computer"!

That is why I think that the way they did it may have pushed the Windows XP
HOME program "over the edge" so to speak, causing the OS to crash.

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

Run chkdsk /f

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

SupportSpace
www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

 

[JS]

Was it an HP "All in One" (printer, scanner, copier, fax) by any chance?

JS

 

[Bob Knowlden]

The Windows Vista software compatibility list:

http://www.appreadiness.com/Lists/Logo/All1.aspx

states that both MS Works 2006 and Quicken Basic 2007 are "Vista ready". I
have neither, so can't verify that. There may be some tricks to installing
them under Vista, like launching the installation application with
administrator privileges. (That may not be necessary or desirable, it's
simply an example.)

I've been using Vista X64 for some time. So far, the only paid upgrade I've
had to do to get a Vista compatible version of my old software was
Photoshop. (CS2 almost worked, but it kept being unable to detect my
printers. CS3 is supported.) Vista is enough different from older versions
of Windows to create some confusion, and not enough different to cause
people to wish to change to it (in my opinion). I went with it because I
wanted to play with a 64 bit OS, and I hoped that the Vista driver situation
would be better than XP64. (So far, I've found Vista 64 drivers for all of
my peripherals.) I don't really recall the transition from Win98 to XP, as I
did it 6 years ago or more, but it probably was more major for me than the
change from XP to Vista.

I see that www.newegg.com is still selling XP Home. Their price is not low
(still $100 for the retail upgrade version), but it's an option. (If you buy
the retail upgrade version, you'll want access to "qualifying media". I use
a CD-R backup copy of my Win98 retail upgrade CD. No license key is needed
for the "qualifying media".)

I hope that you haven't lost data. If so, you may be able to revive the
machine with a repair install of XP (also known as an "upgrade in place").

Good luck.

Return address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks, PA Bear.

I took your advice and called my credit card company, AFTER reading the
fascinating links that you provided for me.

Apparently, my CC company has had many complaints against Best Buy's Geek
Squad in the past. The credit card company promised to take care of the
$39.00 charge to "install" the printer . . . but, of course, that charge is
really minor in view of my total loss of the use of the computer . . .
which, now, I fully believe was caused by Best Buy's "Geek Squad."

Thanks for your advice and your references. Now, I will have to deal with
the decision on how to get my computer working again . . . or, if necessary,
how to replace it.

Further advice would be appreciated.

 

[Bugsy]

Yes, it is a model #HP C4280.

Was it an HP "All in One" (printer, scanner, copier, fax) by any chance?

JS

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks, Kelly,

I tried that. And I also tried running chkdsk /f /r. Neither has helped
eliminate the error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and unreadable". I even
tried a "restore", and that function appears to not be working at all.

Bugsy

 

[JS]

If you know what the make and model of your hard drive is you can see if the
drive manufacture's web site has a diagnostic tool that can be used to
create a bootable CD and should have a "non-destructive" test option (will
not attempt to make any changes/fixes) to your drive.

JS

 

[Michael Jennings]

Find a reputable local computer repair shop by googling. For example:
http://www.google.com/search?&q=computer+repair+in+Columbia,+MD+21046&btnG=Search

Here's a link on how to work for a win in a contest with Best Buy:
http://consumerist.com/341815/how-to-mind-control-customer-service-reps

If you'd rather skip that, you could go XP pro from Vista biz - your cost <
$400:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883107711
Since it would be an HP computer, your all-in-one ought to install OK.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Can you boot into Safe Mode?

If all else fails, you could consider:

1. Purchasing a retail copy of WinXP and having a reputable, local and
independent shop format & do a clean install;

2. Purchase a new computer (according to your budget) with WinXP
preinstalled; or...

3. Purchase a new computer with Vista preinstalled and that includes a free
downgrade-to-WinXP option (in case you & Vista don't get along).

PS: Call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint against the Geek
Squad, too!

 

[Bill in Co.]

Does your Gateway come with a Gateway System Restore option at boot up?
Many of the Dells do, and maybe Gateway does (or did). If you do have
that option, at bootup you could restore to the factory shipped condition
(but you'd lose anything installed since then)

 

[HeyBub]

My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but
still powerful (or was, anyway).

My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best
Buy installed a HP printer last week.

I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway
says they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".

Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well
over $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are
ADAMANT that THEY did not cause the crash.

I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read
lots of bad stuff about VISTA.

What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on
whether to buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a
new computer and VISTA.

By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new
computer at a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and
that much of my present software will NOT work with VISTA.

$MFT is the NTFS master control table. There is nothing wrong with XP-Home
(probably), it's the directory on your drive that are confused.

This whole thing CAN be put right with sufficient and powerful tools by
putting your drive in another machine containing those tools and rebuilding
the Master File Table.

Don't use the computer. Find a competent technician.

 

[DrTeeth]

1. Purchasing a retail copy of WinXP and having a reputable, local and
independent shop format & do a clean install;

Surely the OP has a valid licence of some description? Why should he
have to buy a retail copy?
--

Cheers,

DrT

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.

 

[Bugsy]

Thanks for the compatibililty list link.

When I purchased my Gateway, I had a second drive installed which I always
used to store data (Word Files, Quicken files, photos, etc). Then just
recently (about 4 months ago) I purchased a Maxtor "OneTouch" external drive
and make regular backups of the "D" drive on the computer.

So, fortunately, I have not lost any data. And that is VERY fortunate. My
Word files go back over ten years.

Thanks for all the advice. I have just about decided to invest in a new
Dell (the Gateway is five years old) desktop with Vista installed with the
option of downgrading to XP Pro.

I have a Dell laptop (Inspiron 6000) which has traveled all over the country
and has been beautiful. I guess that speaks highly of Dell.

Again, thanks for your time.

CT

 

[Bugsy]

Apparently not. At least that's what the Geek Squad told me, and I see no
indication on the boot screen.

Also, I called Gateway to order some restore disks and they told me they no
longer have them available. I think that I will probably just get a new
computer because of the age of my Gateway (5 years old), ad try to get the
VISTA with the option of downgrading to XP Pro.

thanks for your response

 

[Bugsy]

One final question and I will quit bugging you folks.

Has anyone had actual experience with buying a computer loaded with VISTA
and with the option of downgrading to Windows XP? If so, is it something
that I can do, or do I need a shop or technician to do the downgrade?

By the way, thanks EVERYONE for all the good advice.

CT