[bodyslide]

My computer runs on WinXP Pro. Lately, it has started showing some trouble in processing speed. If more than one Internet Explorer windows are opened, or if applications like ADOBE Photoshop are used, the system slows down to almost a standstill. Even using the Windows Task Manager to shut down certain processes doesn't help.
I've run virus scans and spyware scans and the problem still persists.
So, I've decided to resort to the oldest solution: reinstall windows XP!
However, when I run the installation CD and try to choose "Fresh installation", the setup program returns a message "Product Key invalid".

My questions:

1. Can I format the hard drive and reinstall win xp without doing a fresh installation?
2. If I have to do an upgrade installation (which Im guessing is the same as a reinstall?), then how can i get rid of all the old data that's lying scattered around on my hard disk?
3.I'm connected to the internet through an NTL Broadband 1MB link (cable). Does this have anything to do with it? Also, I recently uninstalled LIMEWIRE; could that be causing any problems?

I would REALLY appreciate it if anyone could throw some light on this problem or make suggestions that may be helpful.

Hope to get an answer soon!

Regards
Bodyslide

:dead:

 

[Erudit]

Hi

Before you try a reinstall try running a repair from the XP CD.

Start up from the CD as if you are going to perform an installation.

You will be prompted to use the recovery console to do a repair - DO NOT CHOOSE THIS OPTION

continue as though you are doing an install. when you get through to the stage that askes you about partitions the Installation will detect the old version and ask you if you want to install a fresh copy of XP (esc) or repair the installation (R).

Select R and let it continue, if this doesnt fix the issue reinstall the system completely.

 

[petercj]

Hi welcome to TSF

Assuming that you do have a valid product key and a windows CD (not a restore disc) and that you are not bothered about retaining any data - I would suggest downloading the drive-manufacturer's diagnostic utility from their website - it will be free and usually goes on a floppy but can be put on CD - and use it to do a low level format on the drive - write zeros to it. This will wipe everything off.

You should then be able to do a high level format with the XP CD and re-install windows - if not, please post up the details.

Peter

 

[petercj]

If you want to be sure of cleaning off any malware/infection and you want to clear out your data, there is no point in doing a 'repair' install.

Peter

 

[shadow121]

Try clearing some programs from the startup
start>run/> type MSCONFIG> services> tick on hide all microsoft services>uncheck programs u don't want to run when starting up>startup " tab along the top"> again uncheck programs u don't want to run when starting up.> apply >and reboot the system

If you have norton installed tru uninstalling it to see if that makes a difference,, It will believe me cos norton is the biggest lump of turd you will ever see

 

[tinyhu]

Couple questions I have for you are:
1. What processor do you have & speed?
2. How much RAM do you have? (with Adobe Photoshop, I would suggest an absolute min of 512mb, but recommend 1 gig or more)

As someone mentioned, if it is spyware/virus related, running a repair install or upgrade (probably wont work tho) won't help you because the viruses/spyware will still be there. When you check the Task Manager, what program(s) is taking up the most CPU percentage?

Are you getting any errors or popups giving you any info on the slowness or problems?

 

[tinyhu]

Oh, and what anti-virus and anti-spyware programs do you have?

 

[bodyslide]

Hi

Before you try a reinstall try running a repair from the XP CD.

Start up from the CD as if you are going to perform an installation.

You will be prompted to use the recovery console to do a repair - DO NOT CHOOSE THIS OPTION

continue as though you are doing an install. when you get through to the stage that askes you about partitions the Installation will detect the old version and ask you if you want to install a fresh copy of XP (esc) or repair the installation (R).

Select R and let it continue, if this doesnt fix the issue reinstall the system completely.

I had a similar problem about 3 months back and I tried a fresh install with the CD. I followed the steps the way you've described them thinking that this would essentially wipe all the data from my HDD and install a fresh win XP. However, when I later did a search, I discovered that all the old files were stored away in a "My Documents" folder!

 

[petercj]

How can we help?

 

[bodyslide]

Hi welcome to TSF

Assuming that you do have a valid product key and a windows CD (not a restore disc) and that you are not bothered about retaining any data - I would suggest downloading the drive-manufacturer's diagnostic utility from their website - it will be free and usually goes on a floppy but can be put on CD - and use it to do a low level format on the drive - write zeros to it. This will wipe everything off.

You should then be able to do a high level format with the XP CD and re-install windows - if not, please post up the details.

Peter

Thank you for your reply, Peter! I guess everything depends on the validity of the license key I have. I bought this CD off Ebay and received a CD-R with 'windows xp' scribbled on it, and a piece of paper with a serial number/product key jotted down. The CD worked fine the first time I'd used it for much the same purpose as what Im trying to do now. However, the serial number/product key doesn't seem to work now.
COuld this be because my computer already has win xp running on it which has used the serial number?

 

[bodyslide]

Couple questions I have for you are:
1. What processor do you have & speed?
1 GHz
2. How much RAM do you have? (with Adobe Photoshop, I would suggest an absolute min of 512mb, but recommend 1 gig or more)
256 MB

As someone mentioned, if it is spyware/virus related, running a repair install or upgrade (probably wont work tho) won't help you because the viruses/spyware will still be there. When you check the Task Manager, what program(s) is taking up the most CPU percentage?
Internet Explorer!

Are you getting any errors or popups giving you any info on the slowness or problems?

None

The antivirus software is NORTON and I've run spyware/adware scans with SPYSWEEPER, SPYBOT and AD-AWARE SE PERSONAL

 

[bodyslide]

I suppose I should mention that the slow performance is not seen when using OPERA to browse the web.
But the moment I run IE or MSN MEssenger things start dragging.

 

[petercj]

>>"Thank you for your reply, Peter! I guess everything depends on the validity of the license key I have. I bought this CD off Ebay and received a CD-R with 'windows xp' scribbled on it, and a piece of paper with a serial number/product key jotted down."<<

Because it seems highly likely that you have bought an invalid copy of windows we cannot help as any reply would fall outside of TSF terms and conditions - in effect we would be supporting pirating of microsoft products.

You can apply to microsoft if you feel you were misled into buying an invalid product - but from what you say I wonder how sympathetic they will be: "CD-R with 'windows xp' scribbled on it, and a piece of paper with a serial number/product key jotted down."<< But what have you got to lose?

Peter

PS: If you have a look on the TSF IE board there is a lot of advice there on speeding things up.

 

[Stu_computer]

I bought this CD off Ebay and received a CD-R with 'windows xp' scribbled on it, and a piece of paper with a serial number/product key jotted down.

Peter is correct about the matter of pirated software. You have been sold an illegal copy and may persue the issue with ebay and microsoft.

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting_FAQ.mspx

This thread is now closed.