Reinstalling Win XP

[ribs55]

I cannot begin where my PC problems are. I would like to reinstall Wi
XP from my reinstall CD (its a Dell) I would like to NOT lose m
settings pics etc.
I understand I can boot up my system using the Disc and go for th
install
The problem is it wants me to delete the existing partition t
install on.
I tried the REPAIR (R) but it does nothing. So, I guess I am asking i
I delete the existing partition and reinstall will that do it withou
losing everything? Trying to save the "important" things woul
be........well, I would need another PC to load it to.
Right now the only way to get he PC to work is the F8 and get t
last known good configuration.
lost my DEFRAG a while ago and figured I was hit with a Trojan appro
2 mos ago (the Registry HAS to be a disaster). All I can say is i
someone out there can help please be plain about it. I know my wa
around somewhat

Thanks in advance for any help
Bob R
(e-mail address removed)

 

[GreenieLeBrun]

I cannot begin where my PC problems are. I would like to reinstall
Win XP from my reinstall CD (its a Dell) I would like to NOT lose my
settings pics etc.
I understand I can boot up my system using the Disc and go for the
install
The problem is it wants me to delete the existing partition to
install on.
I tried the REPAIR (R) but it does nothing. So, I guess I am asking
if I delete the existing partition and reinstall will that do it
without losing everything? Trying to save the "important" things
would be........well, I would need another PC to load it to.
Right now the only way to get he PC to work is the F8 and get to
last known good configuration.
lost my DEFRAG a while ago and figured I was hit with a Trojan approx
2 mos ago (the Registry HAS to be a disaster). All I can say is if
someone out there can help please be plain about it. I know my way
around somewhat

Thanks in advance for any help
Bob R
(e-mail address removed)

Try booting with a live CD, you should then be able to save to a USB drive
or memory stick. You may have to have the USB drive connected and powered up
for it to be detected.

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
http://www.ubcd4win.com/

Knoppix
http://www.knoppix.org/

Ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[DL]

If you delete the parition you will lose everything that is on it.
If you have no data backups you might want to do that now, before anything
else.

 

[Bill in Co.]

If you delete the parition you will lose everything that is on it.
If you have no data backups you might want to do that now, before anything
else.

Be more specific. When selecting Repair, did you just go into the Recovery
Console?

 

[db.·.. >]

sounds like either your
ntfs or your master boot
record crashed and perhaps
your dell cd is a factory
restore cd, with no option
to repair.

perhaps if you could log
into the recovery console
and access the disk system
prompt, there might be
some method to correct
the disk issues.

the recovery console is
provided by a (any) windows
installation cd and there
are a number of commands
that can be initiated to
correct problems.

another option might be
to simply add a harddrive
to your system and proceed
to install the new o.s. onto
it.

your system will then have
two disks in which one can
be used to work on the other.

and if you are successful, then
you will find having two h.d.'s
as helpful as two pc's - not
totally the same but helpful
none the less.

with all the above in mind,
you should go to the dell
newsgroup and repost you
issue there and see what the
guru's and technicians can
recommend.

it will also give you the
opportunity to pose the
above suggestions to them
and ascertain a response from
them.

here is more info on the
above:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/

 

[Daave]

I cannot begin where my PC problems are. I would like to reinstall
Win XP from my reinstall CD (its a Dell) I would like to NOT lose my
settings pics etc.

Sounds like you want to perform a Repair Install. In that case, what
Service Pack level of XP is currently on your PC? To find out:

Right-click My Computer and select Properties. (Look under System.)

And what Service Pack level is your Dell reinstallation CD? They need to
be at the same level to work.

I understand I can boot up my system using the Disc and go for the
install
The problem is it wants me to delete the existing partition to
install on.

If you delete the existing partition, that means instead of performing a
Repair Install, you are trying to perform a *Clean* Install, which means
all your data and settings will be gone.

It is important for you to back up all your data and settings -- even if
you just intend to do a repair install (just in case something goes
wrong). Backing up is always important. If your hard drive dies, for
instance, how do you plan on salvaging the data on it?

I tried the REPAIR (R) but it does nothing.

There are two Rs in the procedure. The first R is for the Recovery
Console. The second R is for the Repair Install. Again, for a Repair
Install to work, the Service Pack levels of XP must be the same. Here
are good instructions:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

So, I guess I am asking
if I delete the existing partition and reinstall will that do it
without losing everything?

Absolutely not! If you delete the existing partition, you will lose
everything!

Trying to save the "important" things
would be........well, I would need another PC to load it to.

Best plan for now: Obtain an external USB hard drive and copy your data
to it. Here is one you may want to consider:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136175

Right now the only way to get he PC to work is the F8 and get to
last known good configuration.

lost my DEFRAG a while ago and figured I was hit with a Trojan approx
2 mos ago (the Registry HAS to be a disaster). All I can say is if
someone out there can help please be plain about it. I know my way
around somewhat

You can either try fixing the problem or just copy your data and
settings and start from scratch with a Clean Install (or you could try
the repair install first, and if that doesn't work, *then* try the clean
install):

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

If you decide to fix the problem (which in your case may wind up taking
longer than a clean install), your best bet is to use guided help from
an appropriate support forum, using tools such as HijackThis and
Deckard's System Scanner. Follow David H. Lipman's advice in this post:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.security.virus/msg/32b071cde6fc6028?hl=en

Good luck.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I cannot begin where my PC problems are. I would like to reinstall Win
XP from my reinstall CD (its a Dell) I would like to NOT lose my
settings pics etc.
I understand I can boot up my system using the Disc and go for the
install
The problem is it wants me to delete the existing partition to
install on.
I tried the REPAIR (R) but it does nothing. So, I guess I am asking if
I delete the existing partition and reinstall will that do it without
losing everything? Trying to save the "important" things would
be........well, I would need another PC to load it to.
Right now the only way to get he PC to work is the F8 and get to
last known good configuration.
lost my DEFRAG a while ago and figured I was hit with a Trojan approx
2 mos ago (the Registry HAS to be a disaster). All I can say is if
someone out there can help please be plain about it. I know my way
around somewhat

Thanks in advance for any help
Bob R
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I cannot begin where my PC problems are. I would like to reinstall Win
XP

In my view, this is usually a mistake. Reinstalling shouldn't be used
as a substitute for troubleshooting. Besides being a lot of work, you
will never find out what was wrong, what you did to cause the
problems, and will likely repeat that behavior, and quickly find
yourself back where you started.

from my reinstall CD (its a Dell)

Is that an installation CD, or just a restoration CD? Probably the
latter.

I would like to NOT lose my
settings pics etc.
I understand I can boot up my system using the Disc and go for the
install
The problem is it wants me to delete the existing partition to
install on.
I tried the REPAIR (R) but it does nothing. So, I guess I am asking if
I delete the existing partition and reinstall will that do it without
losing everything? Trying to save the "important" things would
be........well, I would need another PC to load it to.

lost my DEFRAG a while ago and figured I was hit with a Trojan approx
2 mos ago (the Registry HAS to be a disaster).

Several comments here:

1. If you have a restoration CD, you have no choices at all. All it
can do is put the computer back to the condition it was in when it
left the factory.

2. If it's a regular installation CD, you have the choice of a clean
installation, or what's called a repair installation. However a repair
installation is not a real reinstallation (I wish they had just called
it a "repair" instead). It solves a few kinds of problems if they
aren't too severe, but it certainly is far from a cure-all for all
problems. You say "I was hit with a Trojan approx 2 mos ago (the
Registry HAS to be a disaster)" and that suggests to me that a repair
installation won't help you at all.

3. If you do reinstall, almost certainly you need to do a clean
installation. You say "I understand I can boot up my system using the
Disc and go for the install The problem is it wants me to delete the
existing partition to install on." That's exactly correct. That's what
a clean reinstallation is. It wipes the drive clean and starts over.

4. I understand that you don't want to lose your "settings pics etc.,"
but there is no option. If you do a clean installation that's what
happens. You need to back up whatever you don't want to lose,
reinstall, then restore from your backup.

5. You say "Trying to save the 'important' things would
be........well, I would need another PC to load it to." That is not
correct. You can save things to media such as CDs, DVDs, thumb drives,
and external hard drives.

6. Considering the quotation in number 5 above, you apparently have no
procedure in place for regular periodic backup of those "important"
things. If that's the case, I need to point out to you that you are
playing with fire. If those are truly things that are important to
you, you need to realize that you are *always* at risk of losing
everything on your drive to any of a number of common problems: a hard
drive crash, user error, nearby lightning strike, virus attack, even
theft of the computer, can cause the loss of everything on your drive.

 

[ribs55]

I want to thank all of you for your replies. Just for further info the
CD that came with the PC say's Reinstallation CD
Microsoft "windows" xp home edition
While the PC did not come with service pack 2 it is in there now, ( I
had Microsoft mail me the CD in case I needed it again, instead of
having to download)
I guess I can try the recovery again but There are no prompts after
hitting R?
Perhaps the external HD would do? Doesen't that have to be formatted?
Well, I am not sure where to go from here.



Bob R

 

[Daave]

I want to thank all of you for your replies. Just for further info
the
CD that came with the PC say's Reinstallation CD
Microsoft "windows" xp home edition
While the PC did not come with service pack 2 it is in there now, ( I
had Microsoft mail me the CD in case I needed it again, instead of
having to download)
I guess I can try the recovery again but There are no prompts after
hitting R?
Perhaps the external HD would do? Doesen't that have to be formatted?
Well, I am not sure where to go from here.

Assuming the external hard drive is not an eSATA drive, the answer is
no.

Since your system seems to be compromised, you might as well perform a
clean install (once you back up all your data and settings). You will
also need drivers for your PC (they should be on another Dell disk you
should have or you may obtain them from Dell's Web site). And Service
Pack level doesn't even enter into the equation.

If you want to try a Repair Install anyway, it is still wise to back up
all your data and settings -- just in case something goes wrong. But
also, Service Pack level *does* enter into the equation. You have two
choices: You can create a new installation disk, slipstreaming SP2 into
it (this way, both Service Packs will be at the same level -- SP2) or
you can simply remove SP2 from your PC, using Add or Remove Programs in
Control Panel (again, both Service Packs will be at the same level --
this time SP1). Since slipstreaming a *Dell* installation disk (Dell
calls them Reinstallation disks, but it's the same thing) is trickier
than slipstreaming ordinary ones), you would have an easier time
removing SP2 from your PC.

The make sure you follow the instructions here:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Still, I think a Clean Install is the better solution:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

And you definitely need to teach yourself safer online habits to greatly
minimize your chances of being re-infected.

 

[ribs55]

"ribs55" (e-mail address removed) wrote in message

I want to thank all of you for your replies. Just for further info
the
CD that came with the PC say's Reinstallation CD
Microsoft "windows" xp home edition
While the PC did not come with service pack 2 it is in there now, ( I
had Microsoft mail me the CD in case I needed it again, instead of
having to download)
I guess I can try the recovery again but There are no prompts after
hitting R?
Perhaps the external HD would do? Doesen't that have to be formatted?
Well, I am not sure where to go from here.-

Assuming the external hard drive is not an eSATA drive, the answer is
no.

Since your system seems to be compromised, you might as well perform

clean install (once you back up all your data and settings). You will
also need drivers for your PC (they should be on another Dell disk yo

should have or you may obtain them from Dell's Web site). And Service
Pack level doesn't even enter into the equation.

If you want to try a Repair Install anyway, it is still wise to back u

all your data and settings -- just in case something goes wrong. But
also, Service Pack level *does* enter into the equation. You have two
choices: You can create a new installation disk, slipstreaming SP2 int

it (this way, both Service Packs will be at the same level -- SP2) or
you can simply remove SP2 from your PC, using Add or Remove Programs i

Control Panel (again, both Service Packs will be at the same level --

this time SP1). Since slipstreaming a *Dell* installation disk (Dell
calls them Reinstallation disks, but it's the same thing) is trickier
than slipstreaming ordinary ones), you would have an easier time
removing SP2 from your PC.

The make sure you follow the instructions he

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Still, I think a Clean Install is the better solution:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

And you definitely need to teach yourself safer online habits t
greatly
minimize your chances of being re-infected.

Thank you for all the info, Tho I am not sure what slipstreaming is?
Actually I was thinking about getting a External HD to put my stuff on.
It seems a New HD would be about the same , which would really give me
clean install. Would I still be able to get my PICS etc off of it onc
the new HD is installed?
Just as an FYI I have Zone alarm as a firewall and was running McCafe
while all this was happening
Bob R
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Daave]

Replies are inline.

Thank you for all the info, Tho I am not sure what slipstreaming is?

A slipstreamed installation disk is one you create, using your original
installation disk and adding to it any subsequent service packs. It's
generally a straightforward process, but many people have reported
problems slipstreaming *Dell* CDs. Still, if you're curious, here are
some links:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2326421,00.asp

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/Slipstreaming_Windows_XP_Service_Pack_3.html

http://vbdotnet.home.comcast.net/~vbdotnet/XP_SP2.htm

Still, I wouldn't focus on that now since a clean install is probably
your best bet. And you can use your existing installation disk for that.
If you're able to successfully create a new installation disk with SP3
slipstreamed into it, that's great, and you'll be able to do a clean
install with that, too. But, again, there are many reports that
slipstreaming Dell CDs are problematic, so if I were you, I wouldn't
look into doing it (at least, not now).

Actually I was thinking about getting a External HD to put my stuff
on. It seems a New HD would be about the same , which would really
give me a clean install. Would I still be able to get my PICS etc
off of it once the new HD is installed?

Does your motherboard support eSATA? If you're not sure, just Google the
make and model number. If it doesn't, en external USB-connected hard
drive is still a great idea. You should backup all your important data
to it (including your pictures). Then you can perform a clean install
using the internal hard drive you already have.

Just as an FYI I have Zone alarm as a firewall and was running McCafee
while all this was happening

If you are running Zone Alarm, you have to make sure you are *not*
running the Windows firewall because there could be a conflict. McAfee
is a big resource hog and is known for slowing systems down. If I were
you, I would uninstall it. Then again, if you perform a clean install,
it shouldn't be there. But for reference, see:

http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=107083&lc=1033

Replace with something much lighter like Avast. Free version available:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Choose the custom installation because email scanning (Internet Mail and
Outlook/Exchange) is redundant and resource-consuming.

 

[smlunatick]

Replies are inline.





A slipstreamed installation disk is one you create, using your original
installation disk and adding to it any subsequent service packs. It's
generally a straightforward process, but many people have reported
problems slipstreaming *Dell* CDs. Still, if you're curious, here are
some links:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2326421,00.asp

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/Slipstreaming_Windows_XP_Ser...

http://vbdotnet.home.comcast.net/~vbdotnet/XP_SP2.htm

Still, I wouldn't focus on that now since a clean install is probably
your best bet. And you can use your existing installation disk for that.
If you're able to successfully create a new installation disk with SP3
slipstreamed into it, that's great, and you'll be able to do a clean
install with that, too. But, again, there are many reports that
slipstreaming Dell CDs are problematic, so if I were you, I wouldn't
look into doing it (at least, not now).


Does your motherboard support eSATA? If you're not sure, just Google the
make and model number. If it doesn't, en external USB-connected hard
drive is still a great idea. You should backup all your important data
to it (including your pictures). Then you can perform a clean install
using the internal hard drive you already have.


If you are running Zone Alarm, you have to make sure you are *not*
running the Windows firewall because there could be a conflict. McAfee
is a big resource hog and is known for slowing systems down. If I were
you, I would uninstall it. Then again, if you perform a clean install,
it shouldn't be there. But for reference, see:

http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=107083&lc=1033

Replace with something much lighter like Avast. Free version available:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Choose the custom installation because email scanning (Internet Mail and
Outlook/Exchange) is redundant and resource-consuming.

Several DELL CDs are not true XP install CDs. They appear to be some
type of recovery CD, which will only install XP back to the factory
original XP set up.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Several DELL CDs are not true XP install CDs. They appear to be some
type of recovery CD, which will only install XP back to the factory
original XP set up.

I also believe that some are the real thing, and are not just recovery CDs.

 

[Big_Al]

I also believe that some are the real thing, and are not just recovery CDs.

Whatever Dell sent me is a true XP SP2 CD. It works and feels and does
just as my retail CD does, except that its an OEM and has the logic in
the install to skip the CD Key and activation.
There is a restore partition but I reclaimed that after proving the CD
was what it was advertised to be.

 

[Bill in Co.]

Whatever Dell sent me is a true XP SP2 CD. It works and feels and does
just as my retail CD does, except that its an OEM and has the logic in
the install to skip the CD Key and activation.

Yup, got the same thing here too.

There is a restore partition but I reclaimed that after proving the CD
was what it was advertised to be.

Haven't reclaimed the DSR restore partition yet. Once in awhile I think
about it, but I also know if you simply delete it, there will be some
problems at boot time. I think the "boot.ini" file needs to changed to fix
that problem, but I'm not sure. Is that it?

 

[Big_Al]

Yup, got the same thing here too.


Haven't reclaimed the DSR restore partition yet. Once in awhile I think
about it, but I also know if you simply delete it, there will be some
problems at boot time. I think the "boot.ini" file needs to changed to fix
that problem, but I'm not sure. Is that it?

I just deleted both partitions, made a new one using the full drive and
then reloaded with the CD.

 

[Bill in Co.]

I just deleted both partitions, made a new one using the full drive and
then reloaded with the CD.

Just??? Sounds quite a bit more involved than simply changing the
"boot.ini" file (if that works) and thereby avoiding any and all possible
problems and potential file overwrites with any windows reinstall
operations.

 

[Daave]

Several DELL CDs are not true XP install CDs. They appear to be some
type of recovery CD, which will only install XP back to the factory
original XP set up.

This is correct. This is what a Restoration CD looks like:

http://dsnimg.dell.com/images/external/images/OS/SRCD-2.jpg

From the description, I had assumed the OP was talking about a
Reinstallation CD:

http://www.djdenham.com/New_user_images/XP_CDs.gif

The good news is if someone has the first type, they can create their
own version of the second type.

 

[Big_Al]

Just??? Sounds quite a bit more involved than simply changing the
"boot.ini" file (if that works) and thereby avoiding any and all possible
problems and potential file overwrites with any windows reinstall
operations.

I'm sure you could do it different, but I had a need to reload and took
the opportunity. Kinda like this thread. Besides, I'm retired and
have a few minutes spare on my side.

I don't have that expertise in boot.ini etc, and in my opinion the C:
drive was the 2nd partition and using Partition Magic was even a bad
idea.

I agree now with Ken Blake (I think he said it) that reloading may fix
the problem but does not tell you what you did wrong to begin with.
After being on these NG's for months now, I've seen and picked up tools
that might both help me keep clear of problems or detect and fix them.