[mom2jrjedis]

I just installed (from disc) windows xp home. I had my computer repaired last summer and the guy used pirated software and my windows activation ran out. So I bought a new copy of windows xp. Now after installing things are all funky. I thought the installation would wipe out the old OS, but a lot of the programs still show up in windows explorer...I just can't use them and they don't show up in "programs" on the start menu.

I also cannot get Norton reinstalled...I know you guys don't like to deal with Norton so I am not really expecting any help on that.

I also have to tell the computer to start windows xp everytime I start my computer. It asks me if I want to run windows xp, xp professional or windows.

Any ideas or help out there?

Thanks,
Jen

 

[petercj]

Hi Jen and welcome to TSF

The easiest way to remove all the old unwanted stuff from your hard-drive is to go to the drive manufacturer's website and download the diagnostic utility software and use it to zero the drive (low level format) and this will return the drive to 'square one' - software wise.

Then install Windows on the clean base.

If you go to 'My Computer' and right click the drive icon followed by 'Properties'>'Hardware' the drive makers name should be listed. If you have any problem determining the drive maker post again.

As far as Norton goes, I would suggest leaving it off and using AVG, Microsoft Spyware prog, Adaware and Spybot with a weekly scan at Trend Micro Housecall, with perhaps Zone Alarm as a firewall (all free) - but then that's just a personal opinion. You may find the Norton problems don't arise when you have made the fresh start.

Peter

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Thanks for the help Peter...
But I'm lost. For the drive manufacturer it just says "Standard disk drives." There is a number next to the picture of the drive ST360020A if that helps.

My computer is just an HP.

Any more advice on how to proceed?

Thanks so much!

Jen

 

[elf]

If programs are still showing up in windows explorer, chances are you did a repair installation, not a full reinstall.

You could do what petercj said no problem, and it would probably be better (though slighty more difficult). In order to do what he suggested it would require you to know the manufacturer of your hard drive (which can be found using certain programs).

If I were you, I would just do a standard format (put in the Windows XP cd, reboot to the cd and follow the instructions). It will find a partition, delete it, and create a new one in it's place. It will ask you to format (clear) the partition, do that. It should then begin the install on the partition you just setup.

Everything that was there, will be gone...everything. It can still be recovered by well trained specialists e.g. the government which is the difference between a regular format, and the low level format that peter was talking about.

If you have questions, ask before you start the format because once you have started you won't be able to ask until you get it back up (unless you have a second computer, or go to a library).

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Elf,
When I first did the install yesterday it told me I had to do a New Installation...that I couldn't upgrade. Okay, fine. I tried to do that and it did come to a part where it asked me if I wanted to install into the existing partition or delete that partition. When I tried to delete it, it wouldn't let me. I don't remember exactly what it said. I ended up just installing to the same partition...even though it told me that could cause problems...because that was the only option it would actually let me proceed with. Should I just try it again?

Thanks!
Jen

 

[elf]

Yes, check for an option to format the partition (quick or full either one would work fine). Try to delete the partition, if it won't let you, record the error message and post it here.

 

[mom2jrjedis]

OK...I'm off to give it a try...wish me luck!
Jen

 

[elf]

Good luck!

 

[mom2jrjedis]

I'm back...no good.

Here is the message that comes up when I try to delete the partition:

Setup is unable to perform the requested opeation on the selected partition. This partition contains temporary files that are required to complete the installation.

So I quit the installation and here I am.

Jen

 

[elf]

Wait like 20 minutes and I'll check when I get home. How are you getting to the cd? are you running it from inside windows, or are you booting straight to the cd?

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Not sure the answer to your question.

My computer is on and then I put the cd in and it goes into asking me what I want to do.

Does that answer the question?

Thanks so much!

Jen

 

[elf]

Yes :grin: give me a little bit to get home (it's 4:50 and I get off work at 5:00) and I'll walk you through step by step what you need to do.

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Thanks Elf...I may not be able to check back until much later tonight or tomorrow. I am a Passion Parties Consultant and I have a party tonight. If you tell me what I need to do I will follow your instructions and get back to you with the results. Let me know if you need any more information and I will check back here before I leave for my party.

Thanks so much for all the help!

Jen

 

[elf]

What you'll want to do is this:

1. Insert the Windows XP cd-rom (but do not click anything in the window that opens)

2. Reboot the computer, and hit delete while it is booting

3. This should take you into the BIOS (warning: do not change any settings except the one instructed, altering this can harm your computer and make the process significantly more difficult. Any mistakes can be corrected, it just adds another step and is annoying :1angel:)

4. You will have to go through the various menus to find the correct option because all BIOS menus are different. The setting you are looking for is the first boot device (which is probably set to your floppy drive). Change that to "cd-rom" "atapi" (some say cd-rom some say atapi, if you have cd-rom pick it).

5. Hit esc and when asked to save changes hit 'yes' (if it doesn't ask you to save, you will have to go back and redo it and then find where it says "save changes and exit"

6. It will reboot itself and during the boot will say "Press any key to boot from cdrom..." - so hit any key (not the any key, just whichever key you want)

7. From there it should it should load up into the windows install again, in which you can simply follow the on screen instructions to delete the partition and create a new one, then format the new partition and choose it to install windows on.

sorry it took a while, I got home and had to take a shower and relax a little.

Again, if you have any questions let me know before you start because your computer will be incapacitated after you delete the partition, until you reinstall windows.

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Elf,
When, exactly, do I hit delete during the boot? I put the cd in, then before the screen came up I hit "restart" and I held the delete key, but it still just loaded like normal. It goes to a black screen first that asks me what I want to run...xp home, xp pro, windows or set up. I told it xp home and kept trying to hit delete, but it all just loaded like normal.

Jen

 

[elf]

You'll hit delete before it gets to the screen asking you which windows you want to run.

It doesn't matter if you restart real fast after inserting the cd, just when you restart *tap* delete repeatedly.

One more thing, do you have a DELL? because DELL changed the key to get into the BIOS and I will have to look it up.

Oh and that pm was right, the link worked and everything

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Nope...not a dell...an HP.

Going to try it again.

Jen

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Nope...didn't work...I'm still here just like usual.

It seems like I have had to do something like this before with other computer problems, but I always hit an F key. Is there an F key that will work for what you are having me do? I would hold the F key when the blue HP screen came up. Does that sound right?

Jen

 

[elf]

Yes, it should be F1 while it is displaying the HP logo screen.

My computer is home built and it defaults to delete, HP and DELL and most major corporations change theirs.

 

[mom2jrjedis]

Okay...off to try again. You are going to be so happy to be rid of me. :grin:

Jen