reinstall winxp

[vintang99]

Hi Expert,

My PC is infected virus and I tried to reinstall winxp by using the repair
option.
All the thing is running smooth, window is coping file and reach a point
that ask
me to input the product key.
However, I loss my product key. I used another winxp dics that I have a
vaild
product key, but the setup still warn me that the key is incorrect.
How can I do? I don't want to make a fresh installation.

Thank you

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

A Repair Install will NOT resolve a virus or any other type of infection!

Backup your personal data, then do a format & clean install of Windows.

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

Also see:

Steps To Help Prevent Spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/spyware/prevent.mspx

Rogue Security Software - Microsoft Security:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/rogue.mspx

 

[vintang99]

Thanks PA Bear's suggestion,
But it can not solve my problem that I don't want a fresh
reinstallation.

 

[BillW50]

In vintang99 typed on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:42:01 -0700:

Thanks PA Bear's suggestion,
But it can not solve my problem that I don't want a fresh
reinstallation.

Well even with the right key, a Repair Install might break your current
Windows if you have installed Service Packs, upgraded IE, Windows Media
Player, etc. that is different from the Windows install CD. Are you
following me here? Since you have already done this, it might be too
late. So you might have to do a clean install at this point, whether you
want too or not.

I can't help you with the error of the wrong key used. Out of my field
of expertise.

If you do decide to go the route of a clean install, you will likely
want to save as much as you can on the current drive. I can help you
with that if you would like.

 

[Mark Adams]

Thanks PA Bear's suggestion,
But it can not solve my problem that I don't want a fresh
reinstallation.

If you have a major brand (Dell, HP, Sony etc.) your product key is on the
Certificate of Authenticity on the back or bottom of the machine. If you
built the machine and you installed with a generic OEM, Retail Upgrade, or
Full Retail; your Product Key is on the packaging that came with the disk. If
you were stupid enough to separate the disk from the original packaging, you
get to buy a new copy of Windows.

As a last resort, if your system won't boot, you may be able to extract the
product key from the installation with a Bart PE or Ultimate Boot CD with a
keyfinder pluggin. If the repair install you have attempted has wiped out the
product key on the install; well, you're SOL.

 

[db]

well since the repair isn't working,

then your system is as it was.

my suggestion is to open your old semi functional
windows and install "SIW".

the freeware will scan the registry and system and
provide you the data about them.

it will also provide you with the product key for the
windows you now have installed.

however, since you attempted a repair installation,
it is doubtful that you can boot to your windows
as usual.

if so, then boot up with the xp cd and select "repair"
on the first screen. do not select "install"

the repair will launch the recovery console and bring
up the disk prompt.

then run the following commands>:

chkdsk /r
fixboot
fixmbr

the exit, remove cd and see if you can boot normally.

incidentally with fixmbr (fix master boot record) you
will get a warning. simply proceed and input yes.

---------------------

also, it is unclear of how sure you are about being
infected.

windows can become unstable for reasons other than
infections.

but if you still want to repair windows and your windows
on the hard drive is the same version as your xp cd,

for example incompatible software can de stabilize
your windows as well as corrupted or mis configured
device drivers.

but at least you will ascertain your product key with the
freeware mentioned above to begin the process of repair
installation.



--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[db]

need to clarify a section
of my previous posting.

-----------------
whereas I stated:

also, it is unclear of how sure you are about being
infected.

windows can become unstable for reasons other than
infections.

but if you still want to repair windows and your windows
on the hard drive is the same version as your xp cd,

for example incompatible software can de stabilize
your windows as well as corrupted or mis configured
device drivers.

but at least you will ascertain your product key with the
freeware mentioned above to begin the process of repair
installation.

--------------------

it should-be stated as:

also, it is unclear of how sure you are about being
infected.

windows can become unstable for reasons other than
infections.

for example incompatible software can de stabilize
your windows as well as corrupted or mis configured
device drivers.

however if you still want to repair windows and your
windows on the hard drive is the same version as your
xp cd,

but at least you will ascertain your product key with the
freeware mentioned above to begin the process of repair
installation.

------------------

sorry for the confusion.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Daave]

Hi Expert,

My PC is infected virus and I tried to reinstall winxp by using the
repair option.
All the thing is running smooth, window is coping file and reach a
point that ask
me to input the product key.
However, I loss my product key. I used another winxp dics that I
have a vaild
product key, but the setup still warn me that the key is incorrect.
How can I do? I don't want to make a fresh installation.

Thank you

What is the make and model or your PC? What version of XP did it come
with? (Home, Pro, or MCE?) What Service Pack level? Does it have a
Certificate of Authenticity sticker on it (which would contain the
specific Product Key)? And what type (and SP level) of XP is the
installation CD you are trying to use?

Although you don't want to perform a Clean Install, you need to do this
if you choose not to remove the virus.

Why don't you tell us the name of this virus so we can help you remove
it?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

You could TRY to get the machine cleaned-up.

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe
Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075

• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi Expert,

My PC is infected virus

*What* virus?

and I tried to reinstall winxp by using the repair
option.

A repair installation will not get rid of a virus infection.

A clean installation *will* get rid of a virus infection, but it's
almost always overkill, and is hardly ever a good approach to solving
the problem.

All the thing is running smooth, window is coping file and reach a point
that ask
me to input the product key.
However, I loss my product key. I used another winxp dics that I have a
vaild
product key, but the setup still warn me that the key is incorrect.

Three points:

How can I do? I don't want to make a fresh installation.

1. Product keys and CDs need to match with respect to the following:
whether they are Professional, Home, Media Center; whether they are
OEM or retail; whether they are Full or Upgrade. Almost certainly your
installation and key don't match with respect to at least one of those
things.

2. If the product key you are trying to use in installed on another
computer, it is *not* available for use on this one.

3. At this point, considering the situation you are now in, a clean
reinstallation may well be your only choice. Moreover, if the CD and
key you have are already in use on another computer, you need to buy
another copy.

 

[vintang99]

Actually, it can not said infected, but the AVG del one of the system file.
In this case, include 3 package of winxp disc copy.
Original is the in use XP. (loss the disc)
Second is the one used to repair windows that I have not the Product key.
The last is the I have the valid product key.

Any suggestion in that case.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/eca79b339d86d082

 

[vintang99]

PA Bear, I don't understand why u repeatly show me the same answer that can
not related to my question.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

kos the only way you're gonna resolve your problem is by doing a clean
install!

you could have resolved this problem days ago.

 

[vintang99]

Bcos I loss all the device driver. and related software.