Reinstall of system failed

[critt]

XP Home - I'm at a loss. I used manufactures system restore of OS to
reinstall after problems. I chose repair first and it didn't take so I chose
complete reinstall which I knew would wipe everything out. Okay, I just
wanted it fixed. The CD runs through its steps, format, transfering files,
finishing, then asks me to push its restart button, which I do. It blinks
out, comp. logo comes on the screen, then a message of "NTLDR is compressed.
press crt, alt, del, to restart. I do, It blinks out again like its
restarting, but the same screen comes up. Four days I've been searching help
forums trying to find an answer. I talked with Gateway, emachine tech for a
new CD, thinking this one was damaged. he doesn't agree, says I need a
restore disc. I thought that was a restore disc. It says it is "to
re-install the operating system.' he offered to sell me one for $20.. I
thought they had to include it with the machine? I see the files names as
they were transfered, and they seem to be Windows files.

Anyway, the machine will not restart to complete 'finish'. The message
stays on the black screen even after being unplugged. When I turn it on
again, it's there. I can not reinstall from this disc or the Windows CD.
The windows CD says it is inspecting the configuration, then goes blank.

I don't have the Product Key for that particular system, so I suppose it's a
lost cause anyway. I am just so upset to have lost everything and now I
can't restore it, plus I'll have to buy a whole new XP for over $100.00 for
someone to install after they fix the thing.

I have a Home CD with Key that isn't being used any longer, I wonder if that
key would work if I used that CD? It was used once, long ago.

I think I'm going to have to find a free hard disk wipe to clean this failed
install before I can even attempt to install from my Home disc. I don't
know of any other options. I'm stuck.

Any suggestions at this point would be very welcome.

 

[critt]

Suggest you try installing from the XP Home CD using it's CD key.
You can 'wipe' the existing contents of drive with the CD.
Boot from it and it will show you what OS is already installed, even if
it's a damaged installation.
Choose that same partition for installing Windows XP Home.
Windows XP Setup will format that partition which erases everything on
it.
Then it will proceed to install XP Home on it.

Thank you for reading, Pip22.

I've tried that, as stated above. It only says it's checking the hardwware
configuration and never comes back.

I don't think it will do anything until the issue of 'NTLDR IS COMPRESSED'
is fixed so the system install can be restarted.

That's why I was considering getting another program to wipe clean. My
disc's won't go any further.

I tried to Chat with microsoft support today about getting a boot disk on
CD, (no floppy) but they want 59 dollars first. About as helpful as
Gateway's emachine 'Support', but they only wanted $20. Sorry, I've tried
everything I can.



Thanks,

 

[Jeff]

I am suffering from the same problem, so if anyone can help I would
appreciate it.

 

[crokepark2000]

I am suffering from the same problem, so if anyone can help I would
appreciate it.

1. got infected with MS antispy 2009. Was able to access the net, no
problem, but was unable to access Control Panel. Help and Support, System
restore nor System info.
2. I downloaded Windows Defender which removed the offending program BUT did
not correct the accessability problems mentioned in 1. above. Nor can I
access the interet nor send email. The only answer to my subsequent
troubleshooting, both Dell and Microsoft, seemed to indicate making a clean
installation from the original CD was the only solution.
3. OK,I accepted this way and inserted the CD, which, of course, was not
bootable. It informed me that the system was not reinstallable because it was
a later model than the original, which, of course, was utter nonsence (unless
you can figure service patch 3 made it a later model).
4. That's where things stand now - no access to the internet (am using an
old W98 for this message)- no access to Help and Support, no access to
Restore or Sys.info and .probably other programs which I havent even tried.

Have you figured a solution to this albatross?

 

[crokepark2000]

I am suffering from the same problem, so if anyone can help I would
appreciate it.