Help please

[VERY FRUSTRATED]

I have a strange problem I have tried to reinstall a FULL version of Windows
XP on my laptop after a crash and it keeps telling me to put the CD in the
disk drive, which I do and it keeps coming up. I also tried to use the repair
feature but not sure what to type in to get it to run. I tried FIXBOOT which
it did do but still get disk error when trying to restart. Used the original
disk for the computer and same result. Any ideas?

 

[Peter Foldes]

Put the disk in and then shut down and boot with the disk already in the computer.
You then will have the options to do what you want.

 

[Daave]

I have a strange problem I have tried to reinstall a FULL version of
Windows XP on my laptop after a crash and it keeps telling me to put
the CD in the disk drive, which I do and it keeps coming up. I also
tried to use the repair feature but not sure what to type in to get
it to run. I tried FIXBOOT which it did do but still get disk error
when trying to restart. Used the original disk for the computer and
same result. Any ideas?

1. What is the nature of your original problem that led you to believe
you needed to "reinstall a FULL version of Windows XP?"

2. Are you interested in performing a Clean Install (starting off with a
clean slate, erasing everything that is on the drive) or a Repair
Install?

3. Is this XP Home, XP Pro, or XP MCE?

4. If you are interested in performing a Repair Install, did this laptop
come with XP originally? What version (that is, XP Home, XP Pro, or XP
MCE)? What Service Pack level?

4. What is the make and model of the laptop? Please describe this
"original disk" *in detail*.

 

[db]

usually for laptops, there are specialty
drivers for them.

if you reinstalled windows then it is
highly likely that the specialty drivers
were removed with the new installation
of windows.

what you need to do is go to the laptop's
home site and follow the guidelines to
restore it.

most often than not, the laptops come
with a hidden partition / section on the
disk that contain all the files required to
initiate a "factory restoration".

a factory restore is a method to restore
all the programs that initially came on
the laptop when it left the factory.

-----------------

incidentally, why did you try to reinstall
windows?

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[JS]

I have a strange problem I have tried to reinstall a FULL version of
Windows
XP on my laptop after a crash and it keeps telling me to put the CD in the
disk drive, which I do and it keeps coming up. I also tried to use the
repair
feature but not sure what to type in to get it to run. I tried FIXBOOT
which
it did do but still get disk error when trying to restart. Used the
original
disk for the computer and same result. Any ideas?

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP
(This assumes that your "Full Version" is a retail version of XP
and not a CD that came with your computer)

Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video
card, sound card, Etc.
Try Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including software
Key codes
and Devices you will need Drivers for.

If you are doing a Clean Install on an existing PC that has XP already
Installed:
Verify your CD Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for your
existing install.
Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop
and may not match the factory installed key.

Note: A number of vendors now supply restore CD(s) or have a restore
partition on the hard drive
and usually do not supply a Windows XP CD.

 

[VERY FRUSTRATED]

Put the disk in and then shut down and boot with the disk already in the computer.
You then will have the options to do what you want.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.



Tried that and still get DISK ERROOR, Please hit CTRL,ALT,Delete to restart

 

[VERY FRUSTRATED]

1. What is the nature of your original problem that led you to believe
you needed to "reinstall a FULL version of Windows XP?"

2. Are you interested in performing a Clean Install (starting off with a
clean slate, erasing everything that is on the drive) or a Repair
Install?

3. Is this XP Home, XP Pro, or XP MCE?

4. If you are interested in performing a Repair Install, did this laptop
come with XP originally? What version (that is, XP Home, XP Pro, or XP
MCE)? What Service Pack level?

4. What is the make and model of the laptop? Please describe this
"original disk" *in detail*.


I got a message when trying to boot that says Read Disk Error. I at this point am trying to do a clean install just not sure how to get that accomplished. It came originally with Windows 98. It is XP home, I would do a repair if I could but at this point don't think that is possible. It had been upgraded to XP Professional about 2 years ago. It has Service Pack 2. It is a Toshiba Satellite the original disk says Toshiba Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD Satellite A10 Series

 

[Daave]

I got a message when trying to boot that says Read Disk Error. I at
this point am trying to do a clean install just not sure how to get
that accomplished. It came originally with Windows 98. It is XP
home, I would do a repair if I could but at this point don't think
that is possible. It had been upgraded to XP Professional about 2
years ago. It has Service Pack 2. It is a Toshiba Satellite the
original disk says Toshiba Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD
Satellite A10 Series

In the event you want to perform a Clean Install of XP Home, using the
full version CD you have of it and its corresponding Product Key, the
links JS provided are fine. I also happen to like the Michael Stevens
Tech guide:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

As you can see, you will need to configure your Toshiba Satellite's BIOS
to boot off the CD rather than the hard drive:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Of course, since a Clean Install will erase everything on your hard
drive, it is crucial you have a backup of *all* your data, including
e-mails and IE Favorites.

You might want to try a Repair Install first (you should also boot off
the CD to accomplish this). But in order to succeed, your Service Pack
levels should match (which means if your CD is at the SP2 level, then
the installation on the hard drive should be at that level, too --
otherwise a "slipstream" would help) and the version of Internet
Explorer should be IE6. Instructions:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

However, depending on the boot error, it might very well be *much*
easier and quicker to address the immediate problem. What is the *exact*
error message?

 

[Malke]

This is a very elderly laptop. It is now having hardware failure. Time to
move on to a new computer.

Malke

 

[VERY FRUSTRATED]

In the event you want to perform a Clean Install of XP Home, using the
full version CD you have of it and its corresponding Product Key, the
links JS provided are fine. I also happen to like the Michael Stevens
Tech guide:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

As you can see, you will need to configure your Toshiba Satellite's BIOS
to boot off the CD rather than the hard drive:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

Of course, since a Clean Install will erase everything on your hard
drive, it is crucial you have a backup of *all* your data, including
e-mails and IE Favorites.

You might want to try a Repair Install first (you should also boot off
the CD to accomplish this). But in order to succeed, your Service Pack
levels should match (which means if your CD is at the SP2 level, then
the installation on the hard drive should be at that level, too --
otherwise a "slipstream" would help) and the version of Internet
Explorer should be IE6. Instructions:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

However, depending on the boot error, it might very well be *much*
easier and quicker to address the immediate problem. What is the *exact*
error message?


It says Read Disk Error Alt, CNTrl, Delete to restart. Then get same message. I have put in the XP disk and hit repair and it takes me to a C Prompt but don't know what top put in to reformat or anything else. Not that savvy

 

[Jim]

Read Disk Error means that the disk drive has serious hardware problems.
Sorry, you cannot fix hardware problems with software. See Malke's post...
Jim

 

[Daave]

Read Disk Error means that the disk drive has serious hardware
problems. Sorry, you cannot fix hardware problems with software. See
Malke's post... Jim

I agree.

 

[JS]

Using your original Windows Setup CD,
boot from the CD and follow all the instructions until you get to the point
where Setup finds your current Windows installation. This of course assumes
you are able to get past that read disk error, but its worth a try.

Just follow the instructions posted at one of the web sites below,
read each of the steps carefully so you understand what you will be doing a
step by step before you actually start the repair process.
Windows will keep your previous settings, including applications and
device drivers.

Read all three articles mention below "carefully" and see if a Repair
Install meets your needs

See: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
and: Windows XP Repair Install - How extreme can you go
http://www.pagestart.com/repairinstall.html

Note: IE7 and IE8 users read this before you start:
"How to perform a repair installation of Windows XP if a later version of
Internet Explorer is installed"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917964

If the PC boots and you are able to logon, then check 'Device Manager' and
look for any Yellow ?
You may need to re-install the device drivers or if you are moving to a new
computer then
have your drive disk ready as you will need to install the Chipset drivers,
LAN, Sound any possibly
others.

Finally go to Windows Update site and install all the updates as they will
need to be reinstalled.

Also read:
Non Destructive Repair of XP by Fred Langa:
http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341
Fred Langa:
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897