Programs disassociated from registry by repairman

[Guest]

A "repairman" trying to fix a DSL configuration/getting
online problem created a bigger one.

Background on my system: 2 hard drives, Drive #1 came
with the computer (80GB, 7200 rpm) and Drive #2 is from my
old computer (30GB 5200 rpm). #1 is where I put XP and all
programs and #2 is used for storage of Word files, photos
and videos.

The Repairman reinstalled XP on drive #1. and then
nothing worked so he installed it on drive #2 and said I
would have to reinstall all of my programs on drive #2and
use #1 for Storage.

Essentially, drive #1 is now unused.

A tech support person at my ISP/DSL provider said that
what probably happened is the inept repairman somehow did
an "overlay" installation of XP on drive #1 which
disassociated all of my programs from the registery making
them completely disfunctional even though they are still
installed on drive #1. He said that the only thing I could
do to start using drive #1 is to reinstall each of the
programs on drive #1.

Given that option he suggested making a backup of drive
#1, start with a clean drive, reformat it, reinstall XP,
reinstall all programs that I still want. Then I'd have a
fresh uncluttered system.

If reinstalling all programs on drive #1 is my only
alternative, I guess I agee with him.

Those of you who know more than me (I'm sure there are
many) and what's going on here please advise on what I
should do.

Thaks for your help and time.

 

[Darren Curtis]

Wow! What a horror story. (Note to self)...Let no one touch my PC...especially DSL repairmen.

I would agree with your advice so far.

1. Clean install XP to Drive 1 by completely deleting the partition and allowing XP to re-create it during the setup.
2. Obviously, if you have any data on Drive 1, copy it to drive 2 before you blow it away.
3. Just to be safe you could physically remove Drive 2 from the PC, before you start the install on Drive 1...the only drive available.
4. Once you have XP installed on Drive 1, you will obviously have to reinstall all your applications.
5. Shut down the PC and reconnect drive 2.
6. Clean up Drive 2 by deleting the old XP install folders...leaving all your data where you had it.
7. Get a month credit form your DSL company for the pain and suffering.

Clean Install Procedures

How to perform a clean install and how to perform a clean install using an upgrade CD:

1. Place the Windows XP Home Edition or Professional Edition CD or Upgrade CD into the CD-ROM Drive.

2. Verify that the PC BIOS is set to recognize the CD-ROM as a bootable device or modify the BIOS Boot Sequence to Boot from CD-ROM.

3. Exit the BIOS setup saving changes.

NOTE: This BIOS procedure will vary, depending on the computer you are using, please consult your manufacturer's documentation for
details on this process.

4. Restart the computer.

Note: This restart may already be accomplished by the process of exiting the BIOS and saving changes.

5. Be extra alert to messages displayed on the monitor during this stage as a crucial step in the process offers a brief (3-4 second) window
of opportunity in which to choose the CD as the boot device. Thus, When the message to "Press any key to boot from CD . . ." message is
displayed, quickly press any key (the space bar is large and close), after which the process will have been initiated.

6. The CD will begin the process of starting the PC and several messages will be flashing across the bottom of the monitor. A few of these
messages are only important under certain special circumstances, such as installing a particular HAL, or loading a 3rd party SCSI driver.

7. Next there will be a screen offering 3 options: Install, Repair, or Exit. At this point press enter as the default is to install.

8. Now there will be a screen full of text, this is the EULA or End User License Agreement. You must press F8 to accept the license
agreement and continue installation. If your Windows XP CD is an upgrade CD you will receive a prompt to insert the CD of a previous
operating system to verify that you qualify to upgrade to Windows XP. Do so, and you can continue.

9. At the partitioning screen, follow the instructions there to delete all existing partition(s) on the hard disk 1. Then press ENTER when
highlighted on "unpartitioned space" to proceed.

NOTE: Removing the partition will remove all data on the hard disk. You should copy to a different media or backup all data you wish to
keep, before you perform this operation.

NOTE: Make sure you do not delete your second drive.

10. Select the formatting method you would like to use and then press ENTER.

11. Install will then format the drive, copy initial setup files, and then reboot.

Note: After this reboot you will again receive the message "Press any key to boot from CD" but just ignore it this time, as doing so will
interrupt the installation process that is already underway.

The machine will then boot from the hard disk and the install will continue.

Later there will be another, final reboot, do the same, and afterward you may eject the CD from the CD-ROM drive.


Best Regards,
Darren Curtis, MCSE
Microsoft Enterprise Support Engineer
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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[D.Currie]

A "repairman" trying to fix a DSL configuration/getting
online problem created a bigger one.

Background on my system: 2 hard drives, Drive #1 came
with the computer (80GB, 7200 rpm) and Drive #2 is from my
old computer (30GB 5200 rpm). #1 is where I put XP and all
programs and #2 is used for storage of Word files, photos
and videos.

The Repairman reinstalled XP on drive #1. and then
nothing worked so he installed it on drive #2 and said I
would have to reinstall all of my programs on drive #2and
use #1 for Storage.

Essentially, drive #1 is now unused.

A tech support person at my ISP/DSL provider said that
what probably happened is the inept repairman somehow did
an "overlay" installation of XP on drive #1 which
disassociated all of my programs from the registery making
them completely disfunctional even though they are still
installed on drive #1. He said that the only thing I could
do to start using drive #1 is to reinstall each of the
programs on drive #1.

Given that option he suggested making a backup of drive
#1, start with a clean drive, reformat it, reinstall XP,
reinstall all programs that I still want. Then I'd have a
fresh uncluttered system.

If reinstalling all programs on drive #1 is my only
alternative, I guess I agee with him.

Those of you who know more than me (I'm sure there are
many) and what's going on here please advise on what I
should do.

Thaks for your help and time.

Sounds like you're getting bad advice all around. An "overlay" install, most
often called a repair install, would have left everything intact.

Without actually looking at your system it's hard to say what happened. But
you might be best off saving whatever data you have to some outside
location, then formatting the whole thing and starting from scratch. At
least then you'll know for sure what you have. At this point, everyone's
guessing what went on, and anything you do could end up making it even
worse.