Reinstall Windows XP Professional

[Guest]

Attempts to reinstall Windows XP Professional result in "Setup" stopping
after 30+ minutes with a message that necessary files cannot be located.

I will try to reinstall using a XP Professional SP1 disk from another
computer, inputting the Product Key on the troubled computer. Is this a good
idea?

Also, will reinstalling Windows XP Professional erase programs and data from
my troubled computer?

Thank you for your help on this matter.

 

[Pegasus]

Attempts to reinstall Windows XP Professional result in "Setup" stopping
after 30+ minutes with a message that necessary files cannot be located.

I will try to reinstall using a XP Professional SP1 disk from another
computer, inputting the Product Key on the troubled computer. Is this a
good
idea?

Also, will reinstalling Windows XP Professional erase programs and data
from
my troubled computer?

Thank you for your help on this matter.

This article might help:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828267

Installing WinXP will erase existing programs but not necessarily
your data. However, doing so without first backing up your
important files is risky. Get a 2.5" disk in an external USB enclosure
and back up your stuff regularly and especially before doing anything
major. It's a low-cost but very effective backup method.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Attempts to reinstall Windows XP Professional result in "Setup" stopping
after 30+ minutes with a message that necessary files cannot be located.

Problems copying files or corrupted files during installation are
most often caused by defective, incompatible, or sub-standard hardware;
in order of likelihood, either RAM, the hard drive, or the motherboard.
On very rare occasions the CD drive or installation CD is the problem.

Start with testing the RAM. You might try MemTest86:
http://www.memtest86.com/ It's free. Then you can download and use the
hard drive maufacturer's diagnostic utility to test the hard drive. If
both RAM and hard drive test out clean, check with the motherboard
manufacturer for any diagnostic utilities.

I will try to reinstall using a XP Professional SP1 disk from another
computer, inputting the Product Key on the troubled computer. Is this a good
idea?

Only if the two installation CDs are of the same type. Product Keys
are bound to the specific type and language of CD/license (OEM, Volume,
retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are purchased. For example, a
WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any retail version of WinXP
Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice versa. An upgrade's
Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD, and vice versa. An
OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail product. An Italian
Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys
and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

Also, will reinstalling Windows XP Professional erase programs and data from
my troubled computer?

If performed properly, a repair installation should leave applications
and data intact. But back up any important data before proceeding, just
in case.





--

Bruce Chambers

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[Rock]

Attempts to reinstall Windows XP Professional result in "Setup" stopping
after 30+ minutes with a message that necessary files cannot be located.

Failures to install usually are due to hardware issues such as a scratched
or dirty installation CD, a dirty CD drive lens, a failing CD drive,
problems with the hard drive, memory, or motherboard. Start with the simple
things.

I will try to reinstall using a XP Professional SP1 disk from another
computer, inputting the Product Key on the troubled computer. Is this a
good
idea?

Good idea? The better question is, can it work. That depends on whether
the XP Pro SP1 CD matches the product key. They have to match with respect
to OEM vs. full retail vs. upgrade vs Volume License version, vs. branded
OEM, and language.

Trying a different installation CD is one thing to try in case the first one
is damaged, but it has to match the product key.

Also, will reinstalling Windows XP Professional erase programs and data
from
my troubled computer?

It depends on where the data is stored. If you are installing XP to the
same partition where the data is it will wipe out programs and could remove
the data. Always have a full backup of important information.

Thank you for your help on this matter.

Why are you trying to reinstall XP?

 

[Guest]

Failures to install usually are due to hardware issues such as a scratched
or dirty installation CD, a dirty CD drive lens, a failing CD drive,
problems with the hard drive, memory, or motherboard. Start with the simple
things.


Good idea? The better question is, can it work. That depends on whether
the XP Pro SP1 CD matches the product key. They have to match with respect
to OEM vs. full retail vs. upgrade vs Volume License version, vs. branded
OEM, and language.

Trying a different installation CD is one thing to try in case the first one
is damaged, but it has to match the product key.


It depends on where the data is stored. If you are installing XP to the
same partition where the data is it will wipe out programs and could remove
the data. Always have a full backup of important information.


Why are you trying to reinstall XP?

Thank you, Rock!

You asked why I was trying to reinstall Windows XP Professional. I am
because The Dell / Microsoft trouble shooting menus prompted me to when I
started my computer. I do not recall what I last did before shutting down;
however, when I restarted, Windows would not recognize drives, so I followed
the trouble shooting prompts.