windows pro

P

phal

In the past, if I had a windows problem that I could not figure out, I would
put in the windows disk and go over the top of the OS with a new install
(without formatting) and it always seemed to fix my problem. I tried this
today to fix a registry problem and I am getting the following warning I have
not seen before:

Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is
newer than the version on the CD.

Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
recovered.

This is a purchased copy of Win XP Pro with a key. Is this because I have
installed SP3? If I remove SP3 will I be allowed to go over the OS? Will
this uninstall SP2 if I remove it? If so, will I lose stuff other than SP3
if I uninstall?

Thanks...gary
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Probably.

Yes.

Not if you were running SP2 before SP3 was installed.

No.
 
P

phal

I uninstalled SP3 and I am still getting the warning.
I would try an uninstall of SP2 but it is not on add remove.
Can you give me any other advice. I have not run into this before.
Thanks...gary
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Format & reinstall Windows using the CDs that came with your computer or the
hidden Recovery partition.
 
D

Daave

phal said:
In the past, if I had a windows problem that I could not figure out, I
would
put in the windows disk and go over the top of the OS with a new
install
(without formatting) and it always seemed to fix my problem. I tried
this
today to fix a registry problem and I am getting the following warning
I have
not seen before:

Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer
is
newer than the version on the CD.

Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
recovered.

This is a purchased copy of Win XP Pro with a key. Is this because I
have
installed SP3?

Probably.

What Service Pack level is your CD?
 
N

Nepatsfan

phal said:
In the past, if I had a windows problem that I could not figure out, I would
put in the windows disk and go over the top of the OS with a new install
(without formatting) and it always seemed to fix my problem. I tried this
today to fix a registry problem and I am getting the following warning I have
not seen before:

Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is
newer than the version on the CD.

Warning: If you decide to delete the newer version of Windows that is
currently installed on your computer, the files and settings cannot be
recovered.

This is a purchased copy of Win XP Pro with a key. Is this because I have
installed SP3? If I remove SP3 will I be allowed to go over the OS? Will
this uninstall SP2 if I remove it? If so, will I lose stuff other than SP3
if I uninstall?

Thanks...gary


You need to boot from the installation CD and start the repair. It sounds like
you're trying to start the repair while Windows is running. That's why you're
getting the error message about a 'newer version'.

Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Keep in mind that you should back up all your important files before running
this procedure.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
P

phal

Thanks for the idea but that didn't work either. I turned off all boot
devices except the cd rom and got only the option to reboot or go into setup
page ("strike F1 to reboot F2 for setup"). I could not get it to reboot from
the XP Pro cd at all.
I have researched and found articles that say the only way to do this was to
remove all service packs and start from the condition of the original OS or
to "slipstream" the service packs into a single cd with all updates. I would
try this but am afraid I would run into something else along the line which
screws it up.
gary
 
T

Ted

Hi I read some where on here to take service pack 3 off you have to open up
in safe mode go back to a date previous to when you loaded sp3 and restore it
to that date and that will take sp3 off has any one else read that.
 
U

Unknown

I didn't read that AND I must add I wouldn't do that. I had a bad install of
SP3 and had to remove it. I simply went to add/remove and removed SP3. I
then reinstalled SP3 and everything fine.
 
T

Twayne

That's the right first-move but depending on what glitched doesn't
always work. Then the Restore Points become the next best alternative.
Perhaps it's time to also do some research on how to back up once
you're out of this quagmire. You won't regret it. The native backup
works well enough and then there are the imaging programs like Ghost and
Acronis TI.

Twayne
 
N

Nepatsfan

Just out of curiosity, what exactly do you mean by "I turned off all boot
devices except the cd rom"?

In order to boot from your installation CD, hit the F2 key to enter Setup. Look
for an entry at the top of the windows titled Boot. Navigate to that part of
Setup and you should see an entry where you can configure your CD/DVD drive as
the first boot option.

Also, is your CD and actual XP installation CD or a copy you or someone burnt?

If you're still unable to boot from the CD, post back with answers to the two
questions I posed along with information about you computer, make and model #
will suffice. If the computer was not built by a major manufacturer, pass along
the motherboard make and model #.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
U

Unknown

Why tell me?
Twayne said:
That's the right first-move but depending on what glitched doesn't always
work. Then the Restore Points become the next best alternative.
Perhaps it's time to also do some research on how to back up once you're
out of this quagmire. You won't regret it. The native backup works well
enough and then there are the imaging programs like Ghost and Acronis TI.

Twayne
 
P

phal

I tried going to setup (f2), set the priority to boot from cdrom, rebooted,
and it skipped right over the Purchased copy of XP Pro (older disk no service
pack but shiny gold face OEM disk) and booted from the OS. I then shut down,
went into setup again, unchecked all but the cd rom so it had no choice and
got the , F1 to try again F2 to boot from OS. The comp is a dell 8200
Dimension, unaltered from the factory.
If you need more info on the system, I will do it on another post, running
short of time right now.
This post stems from another post here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...&p=1&tid=7774a3b4-07f6-44f0-b753-4c1b5bb926ae
I am trying to get a registry problem solved and figured that going over the
top of my original installation may fix the problem.
Thanks for the help, I appreciate it!...gary
 
N

Nepatsfan

If your Dell has a floppy drive you can download a file from the web site listed
below that will guide you in creating six floppy disks which can be used to boot
your computer and start a repair installation of XP. Make sure you download the
correct file for your installation CD.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

I took a look at your other post and the responses you received. I can't speak
from first hand knowledge since I disable TeaTimer but it sounds like it doesn't
get along with msconfig. Once you get this problem straightened out you might
consider using another program such as Autoruns to disable startup items.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 
P

phal

I will try making the boot disks.
concerning Autoruns- I have it on the comp, but it is very intimidating. I
am afraid that I am going to turn off a process that I need. I cannot do that
with msconfig. Is there a way to distinguish what is ok to turn of and what
is not? That is the only reason I have not started using it. I am somewhat
technicle when it comes to my computer, but do not know much about the
registry.
Thanks for all your help....gary
 
N

Nepatsfan

Launch Autoruns and click on the Logon tab. The items listed there represent the
programs that are loaded at startup. Right click on an item you're considering
disabling and select Search Online from the menu. You should be able to find
information on the web which will help you determine whether it's safe to
disable the item. If you decide to do so, remove the check mark from the box
next to the item. Restart your computer and see if you get the desired results.
Once you're sure you won't be needing that program to launch at startup, go back
and right click on the item and select Delete from the menu.

One precaution you might want to take with Autoruns is to click on Options in
the toolbar at the top of the window and click on Hide Microsoft Entries. Hit
the F5 key. The resulting list will consist only of third party processes and
programs. Simply reverse the process should you ever need to view the Microsoft
items.

Good luck

Nepatsfan
 

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