reinstall/fix Windows XP using a Windows CD ?

[Entrount]

Everything bad started to happen when I accidentally did a System Restore on
AOL's own System area. AOL did not work properly after that and certain info
pages did not open in Windows (Windows Help & Support, Windows System
Restore).

I had to reinstall/fix Windows XP (Version 5.1 Service Pack 1), using a
Windows CD that came with my DELL computer (I used "R" to repair Windows, not
put in a new one) to fix my system.

AOL is working now it seems but the Windows gives me a warning saying, "This
version of Windows XP is no longer secure". I got the computer around 2006.
Dell Inspiron 1000.

I have tried numerous times to use "Automatic Update", but it says,
"download" failed. I have gone to the Windows Update site but it says,
"download" failed as well when I try to download Updates.

I tried the recommendations, but it says, "download" failed again.

I have read up on the matter on the Update site but found no info that has
worked yet.

I haven't been able to "UPDATE" my Windows XP version.

(Recent Notice I tried the Help email's recommendations and UPDATE's
started working. A warning page for SERVICEHOST or something appeared
everytime I tried to shut down.

I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the computer restarted and it was
working it seemed.

I turned on the computer today and the Windows XP Service Pack 2 is gone and
it went back to Windows XP Service Pack 1. Also McAfree virus scanner
doesn't work.

I have tried to reinstall Windows XP using a Windows CD that came with my
DELL computer but it says there is a "file corrupted" and won't let me.

Any help appreciated.

 

[Paul]

Everything bad started to happen when I accidentally did a System Restore on
AOL's own System area. AOL did not work properly after that and certain info
pages did not open in Windows (Windows Help & Support, Windows System
Restore).

I had to reinstall/fix Windows XP (Version 5.1 Service Pack 1), using a
Windows CD that came with my DELL computer (I used "R" to repair Windows, not
put in a new one) to fix my system.

AOL is working now it seems but the Windows gives me a warning saying, "This
version of Windows XP is no longer secure". I got the computer around 2006.
Dell Inspiron 1000.

I have tried numerous times to use "Automatic Update", but it says,
"download" failed. I have gone to the Windows Update site but it says,
"download" failed as well when I try to download Updates.

I tried the recommendations, but it says, "download" failed again.

I have read up on the matter on the Update site but found no info that has
worked yet.

I haven't been able to "UPDATE" my Windows XP version.

(Recent Notice I tried the Help email's recommendations and UPDATE's
started working. A warning page for SERVICEHOST or something appeared
everytime I tried to shut down.

I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the computer restarted and it was
working it seemed.

I turned on the computer today and the Windows XP Service Pack 2 is gone and
it went back to Windows XP Service Pack 1. Also McAfree virus scanner
doesn't work.

I have tried to reinstall Windows XP using a Windows CD that came with my
DELL computer but it says there is a "file corrupted" and won't let me.

Any help appreciated.

"This version of Windows XP is no longer secure" seems to be
related to your initial service pack level.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933274

As an amateur, what I'd do is...

1) Download the redistributable version of SP2 or SP3. As far as
I know, both are candidates for someone holding a WinXP SP1 install
CD in their hand. If you had an original WinXP CD (no SP), there might
be a different recommendation.

2) Have your AV software ready.

2) Disconnect the computer from the network (mostly an issue if the
computer connects directly to a modem, cable modem, or ADSL modem,
less of an issue if there is a NAT router in the way).

3) Install WinXP SP1. Install SP2 or SP3. When asked to activate,
indicate you'll do it later. Install AV software.

4) Now, with some level of protection in place, connect to the network
and update the AV database. Activate WinXP.

5) Contact Windows Update and finish the job (get missing security updates).

For step (1), these are standalone Service Pack files. Even though I
don't need these, I have these for friends/relatives etc. These make
good stocking stuffers at Christmas This isn't a lot of fun
if you're on dialup.

WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe 278,927,592 bytes
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe 331,805,736 bytes
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

HTH,
Paul

 

[BillW50]

In Paul typed on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:59:02 -0400:

"This version of Windows XP is no longer secure" seems to be
related to your initial service pack level.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933274

As an amateur, what I'd do is...

1) Download the redistributable version of SP2 or SP3. As far as
I know, both are candidates for someone holding a WinXP SP1 install
CD in their hand. If you had an original WinXP CD (no SP), there
might be a different recommendation.

2) Have your AV software ready.

2) Disconnect the computer from the network (mostly an issue if the
computer connects directly to a modem, cable modem, or ADSL modem,
less of an issue if there is a NAT router in the way).

3) Install WinXP SP1. Install SP2 or SP3. When asked to activate,
indicate you'll do it later. Install AV software.

4) Now, with some level of protection in place, connect to the network
and update the AV database. Activate WinXP.

5) Contact Windows Update and finish the job (get missing security
updates).
For step (1), these are standalone Service Pack files. Even though I
don't need these, I have these for friends/relatives etc. These make
good stocking stuffers at Christmas This isn't a lot of fun
if you're on dialup.

WindowsXP-KB835935-SP2-ENU.exe 278,927,592 bytes
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe 331,805,736 bytes
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...A8-5E76-401F-BE08-1E1555D4F3D4&displaylang=en

HTH,
Paul

That is all great Paul, but Entrount's (OP) Dell Recovery disc says a
file is corrupt. Thus can't reinstall Windows XP.

Entrount, can you look at that Recovery disc and look into the i386
folder? If so, you can try to run winnt32 to reinstall Windows XP?

 

[DL]

I would want to ask if the 'file corrupt msg' was receive when the op had
booted from the recovery disk, and did they try simply wiping the cd?

 

[Mark Adams]

Everything bad started to happen when I accidentally did a System Restore on
AOL's own System area. AOL did not work properly after that and certain info
pages did not open in Windows (Windows Help & Support, Windows System
Restore).

I had to reinstall/fix Windows XP (Version 5.1 Service Pack 1), using a
Windows CD that came with my DELL computer (I used "R" to repair Windows, not
put in a new one) to fix my system.

AOL is working now it seems but the Windows gives me a warning saying, "This
version of Windows XP is no longer secure". I got the computer around 2006.
Dell Inspiron 1000.

I have tried numerous times to use "Automatic Update", but it says,
"download" failed. I have gone to the Windows Update site but it says,
"download" failed as well when I try to download Updates.

I tried the recommendations, but it says, "download" failed again.

I have read up on the matter on the Update site but found no info that has
worked yet.

I haven't been able to "UPDATE" my Windows XP version.

(Recent Notice I tried the Help email's recommendations and UPDATE's
started working. A warning page for SERVICEHOST or something appeared
everytime I tried to shut down.

I installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 and the computer restarted and it was
working it seemed.

I turned on the computer today and the Windows XP Service Pack 2 is gone and
it went back to Windows XP Service Pack 1. Also McAfree virus scanner
doesn't work.

I have tried to reinstall Windows XP using a Windows CD that came with my
DELL computer but it says there is a "file corrupted" and won't let me.

Any help appreciated.

The repair install removed SP3 and SP2. Check the following KB article to
fix the update service:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/943144

Download the SP3 iso image and burn it to CD. Install SP3 from the CD, not
Windows Update. Get the iso here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...CE-B5FB-4488-8C50-FE22559D164E&displaylang=en

SP3 should install directly since you are already at SP1. See the following
instructions for preping your computer for SP3 install:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717

Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Backup your personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.
Please note that another Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT fix
this!

cf. http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a network and before using a USB key that
isn't brand-new or hasn't been freshly formatted:

5 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/xppc.mspx

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b