xp recovery fails

[malibumom]

I have done something really stupid and don't know how to fix what I did. I
got the error of Windows could not start because some file was missing or
corrupt. The last time this happened, I foolishly used the system restore cd
instead of the factory restore. Well, it took a few attempts, but I was able
to get the OS back working. So, when it happened again, I just used the
system recovery cd again. But this time, I can't get a clean installation of
the XP home edition. It gets to the set up and then starts rebooting and
running a disk check over and over. I don't have an original cd since xp was
installed on the computer when I bought it. This recovery cd is the only one
I have with the OS on it. I'm not concerned about the programs and files that
are gone as this is just a pleasure computer and after problems in the past,
I have stored on cds any thing I wanted to save.

I am at my wits end and don't know what to try. I did try downloading and
burning a cd off another site but the computer won't read it. Any ideas? All
I want is to get it up and running again.

 

[Andrew E.]

Thats easy to fix.Simply go to the hard drive mfg web site,locate the hd
MS-DOS utility for the hd,download to a MS-DOS formatted floppy disk,boot
pc to floppy,in the utility,locate a/the format utility & run.Even a "soft
format"
will wipe out the OS,making youre cds run when installed.

 

[malibumom]

Easy for you to say, LOL! I don't know who the mfg is of the hard drive. The
computer is from a infomercial of Tiger Tv and the mfg is not listed. All I
know is that it is a ultra ata. It's been a pain in the $@# from the
beginning but I don't have the money for a new one. Would really just like to
get this one going again.

 

[peter]

Install a new hard drive
buy a retail copy of XP and do a new installation.
peter