Re-installed Windows XP and have got major problems now

[Guest]

My computer wasn't working right, so I re-installed Windows XP with the
CD-ROM that came with the computer.
After I re-installed Windows XP, all my files and programs have been
deleted, and everything went to the lowest performance(meaning stuck in the
640x480 resolution and the 16-bit color)
I am unable to change the resolution even by doing what the trouble shoot
tells me to do....

I need to know how to fix this BIG problem!!

 

[Alan Smith]

Can't you follow the flow of conversation rather than jump from bottom
posting to top posting so your question can be properly followed?


Reordered.

Hi,
I actually found two discs that are labeled DRIVERS AND UTILITIES at the
top of the disc, but I don't know which one to use, can you help me with
that
too please?

Open the CDs in Explorer. Look. If they are autorun read the options
presented and look for the one you want.

 

[Galen]

In Julio <[email protected]> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

My computer wasn't working right, so I re-installed Windows XP with
the CD-ROM that came with the computer.
After I re-installed Windows XP, all my files and programs have been
deleted, and everything went to the lowest performance(meaning stuck
in the 640x480 resolution and the 16-bit color)
I am unable to change the resolution even by doing what the trouble
shoot tells me to do....

I need to know how to fix this BIG problem!!

Do you know what type of grapics card you had? If so then go ahead and
install the drivers. Chances are good you have a CD with drivers on it or a
separate CD with graphics drivers on it - both should be clearly labeled.
Use them.

Galen
--

"But there are always some lunatics about. It would be a dull world
without them."

Sherlock Holmes

 

[ByTor]

My computer wasn't working right, so I re-installed Windows XP with the
CD-ROM that came with the computer.
After I re-installed Windows XP, all my files and programs have been
deleted, and everything went to the lowest performance(meaning stuck in the
640x480 resolution and the 16-bit color)
I am unable to change the resolution even by doing what the trouble shoot
tells me to do....

I need to know how to fix this BIG problem!!

Sounds like you need to find the drivers for your video card......

If you're not sure of the card either Belarc Adviser can tell you or
Lavalys Everest Home Edition will....I like Lavalys better.

http://www.lavalys.com/

 

[Bob Harris]

Did you really "reinstall XP" or did you use a "restoration CD" provided by
the PC maker?

The former formats the hard drive and install just XP, no programs, no
special drivers, and certainly no personal files. The latter restores the
whole hard drive to the day you bought it, XP+drivers+prgrams, but still no
personal files.

There is a third possibility, and that is that maybe you did, or intended to
do, a "repair" install of XP? Unlike a full install, a repair leaves
programs and user files alone. However, many OEM versions of XP will not
support a "repair". You might want to contact the PC maker for more info
and advice.

As for the video problem, download and install the latest drivers for your
video card (or video chip, if on motherboard).

 

[Guest]

Hi,
I actually found two discs that are labeled DRIVERS AND UTILITIES at the
top of the disc, but I don't know which one to use, can you help me with that
too please?

 

[Guest]

Yes I belive it was the restoration CD of Windows XP...and I did try the
repair the first time, and the windows still wasn't working properly, so I
tried to restore it again and came upon the stuck resolution and color

 

[Guest]

Did you try re0installing your video drivers etc? and also are you sure it
got rid of everything? you may have had windows do a new install...if you did
then it reformats the harddrive and installs a fresh and clean
windows.....and your prgograms and stuff would be gone too.....maybe mvp's
have other stuff to say about it but i think im on the right track.

 

[ByTor]

Hi,
I actually found two discs that are labeled DRIVERS AND UTILITIES at the
top of the disc, but I don't know which one to use, can you help me with that
too please?

If you insert the CD a menu may pop up & just click install video
drivers......
But first ya may wanna check your device manager, right click my
computer....manage....highlight "device manger" to see if there is an
exclamation by the "Display Adapter" portion......If so than insert the
drivers CD if there is a menu install and let it rip, if there is no
menu on the CD and you have an exclamation or "generic drivers" than
highlight it in the device manager, right click it & re-install/update
drivers and let it search the inserted CD..............

 

[Guest]

I out in the CD that said it would re-install the drivers and modem helper,
and a few other things, but the only thing it installed was the modem helper,
and nothing else....I think I am just confused now....lol

 

[Alpha]

My computer wasn't working right, so I re-installed Windows XP with the
CD-ROM that came with the computer.
After I re-installed Windows XP, all my files and programs have been
deleted, and everything went to the lowest performance(meaning stuck in
the
640x480 resolution and the 16-bit color)
I am unable to change the resolution even by doing what the trouble shoot
tells me to do....

I need to know how to fix this BIG problem!!

Just go into the control panel and change the settings? If this is beyond
you hire the Geek Squad at Best Buy.

 

[Guest]

I forgot to mention I also have no sound on my computer either....
I checked where you told me to check and I clicked on "device manager", but
there is no portion called "display adapter" but under "other devices" it has
a question mark to the side of it, and question marks on the sides of
everything under "other devices" (which includes Ethernet controller,
mutimedia Audio Controller, NETGEAR WG111, SM Bus Controller, and Video
Controller (VGA compatible) )

 

[Guest]

did everyone leave me here??

I forgot to mention I also have no sound on my computer either....
I checked where you told me to check and I clicked on "device manager", but
there is no portion called "display adapter" but under "other devices" it has
a question mark to the side of it, and question marks on the sides of
everything under "other devices" (which includes Ethernet controller,
mutimedia Audio Controller, NETGEAR WG111, SM Bus Controller, and Video
Controller (VGA compatible) )

 

[The Cuddly Curmudgeon]

did everyone leave me here??

No. Everyone is out doing special research JUST for you.

They'll probably all be back posting in a few minutes.

 

[Guest]

oh really?? JUST for me??
Thanks for letting me know!

 

[ByTor]

did everyone leave me here??

No, other thingy's to do........... ;0)

Lets start again.

Can you possibly list your "type" of computer....Make, Model, Home
Built, that type of thing......If it is proprietary (Dell, Compaq, etc.,
has any hardware been changed/upgraded or is it all original) It would
help in establishing a few different scenarios. You've already
established a "driver" CD so I know that much..........
You've obviously done a full restore, maybe, so what other CD's do you
have?

 

[Guest]

It is a dell 2350
I do believe I did the full restore, and the only other CDs I have is a
ResourceCD, that doesn't install anything, and with one CD I told you that I
entered in the computer and only installed the Modem Helper, eventhough it
states on the CD that it has drivers on it.

 

[ByTor]

It is a dell 2350
I do believe I did the full restore, and the only other CDs I have is a
ResourceCD, that doesn't install anything, and with one CD I told you that I
entered in the computer and only installed the Modem Helper, eventhough it
states on the CD that it has drivers on it.

You will find all the device drivers here:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/devices.aspx?c=us&cs=19
&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_PNT_CEL_2350&os=WW1&osl=EN#

You will have to copy/paste this entire link in your browser so just
don't click on it. You can try to install these devices and if it works,
great......If not I recommend my last paragraph below....Or if you still
have tech support call Dell.

As I mentioned earlier you will have to run either Belarc Advisor or
Lavalys Everest to see which specific devices are on your
machine....This site lists one audio driver two different video. It
appears you have original onboard video if nothing was changed so you'll
have to match the drivers, I assume it will be the Intel 845 G/GL.

Restore CD's are a little tricky sometimes, I ran across an instance
once where I wanted to full restore a customers puter and thought it
did a total wipeout and yet it saved documents and newer progs that were
installed previous to the wipe out......Very strange situation, I
normally do all full retail clean installs, less problematic......for me
that is.

I would say to you to start again & make sure it deletes the entire
partition, as you stated earlier everythings gone so I guess another
learning experience might be a good thing.....My first restore on a
Comcrap was years ago but had to do it 3 times to get it right.

I'm not sure how a Dell restore CD works as I've never did one but this
site gives instructions that appear to be sorta like a retail
full....Interesting though.

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/oem/dell/dell_pc.htm

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/indexwinxp.htm

If you do another install & it does the same thing with your audio &
video than I'd suggest taking it to a shop........

 

[ByTor]

The only thing now is that nothing installs on the computer including my
internet, so I am unable to go to the link you posted for me, I installed my
network USB(since we have wireless DSL internet) but it still don't work, and
I am unable to run MSN which is our DSL provider....

Sounds to me like you may have hardware issues, all your installs might
be corrupting as they go along.......I've had a situation like that once
before, changed the CDROM and all was well........I'm not saying that's
the case but if I were you I would WIPE the drive & do another re-
install.....If it fails than either call Dell, if you still have
support, or take the puter to a shop.....Sounds like you have a possible
multitude of situations or your Restore CD could just be plain
corrupt......
Wish I can advise more but obviously I do not have your machine & tools
in front of me............ ;0(

 

[Guest]

The only thing now is that nothing installs on the computer including my
internet, so I am unable to go to the link you posted for me, I installed my
network USB(since we have wireless DSL internet) but it still don't work, and
I am unable to run MSN which is our DSL provider....