Windows XP Repair Installation

[paullc]

I'm attempting to do a repair installation on a Windows XP Home
edition. I currently have SP 2 installed, and the original install CD I
got with the PC (it is a Dell) has SP1a. I can't use the CD, as I get a
message stating that the install is on a newer version. When I try to
integrate the SP2 changes, I get a message stating that it won't
integrate with the existing service pack. I've obtained a different,
"clean" version of XP Home and integrated the SP2 changes.
Unfortunately, it won't take either the product key on the label on the
PC or the OEM key used originally. I suspect that is because the
"clean" version is not an OEM (I think it came from an MSDN
subscription).

I looked at uninstalling SP2, but the warning messages about the things
that might not work are fairly daunting.

Any suggestions on how to proceed will be appreciated.

BTW, the problem that got me here is that system restore does not
function. Any attempt to initiate it yields an error - I can't turn it
off or get to its control panel. If there is some other way around this
instead of a repair installation I'll be glad to hear about that as
well. I'm trying to avoid a complete reinstallation, but will if
necessary.

TIA.

 

[Ron Martell]

I'm attempting to do a repair installation on a Windows XP Home
edition. I currently have SP 2 installed, and the original install CD I
got with the PC (it is a Dell) has SP1a. I can't use the CD, as I get a
message stating that the install is on a newer version. When I try to
integrate the SP2 changes, I get a message stating that it won't
integrate with the existing service pack. I've obtained a different,
"clean" version of XP Home and integrated the SP2 changes.
Unfortunately, it won't take either the product key on the label on the
PC or the OEM key used originally. I suspect that is because the
"clean" version is not an OEM (I think it came from an MSDN
subscription).

I looked at uninstalling SP2, but the warning messages about the things
that might not work are fairly daunting.

Any suggestions on how to proceed will be appreciated.

BTW, the problem that got me here is that system restore does not
function. Any attempt to initiate it yields an error - I can't turn it
off or get to its control panel. If there is some other way around this
instead of a repair installation I'll be glad to hear about that as
well. I'm trying to avoid a complete reinstallation, but will if
necessary.

TIA.

For your System Restore problem see MVP Bert Kinney's System Restore
pages: http://bertk.mvps.org/index.html
He has instructions there for reinstalling System Restore without
doing a complete reinstall.

In order to do a Repair Install you need to create a new installation
CD that has Service Pack 2 slipstreamed into it. You will need to
have a CD/DVD burner drive, your original Windows XP CD (which you
have) and the complete Service Pack 2 which you can order on a CD from
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx
or download from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

For slipstreaming instructions see
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[AJR]

Failure of the product key has nothing to do with whether the CD is OEM or
MSDN - you need the key provided with the CD you are trying to use.
As suggested there are two viable options 1. Create a "slipstreamed" XP CD -
which, for some reason, can be problematic with XP Home. 2. Uninstall SP2
via Control Panel - despite warnings, should not present problems and since
you installed the SP successfully the first time - reinstallation should be
OK
So- short of reinstalling XP - your choice.