should i get new xp cd to do repair?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cathyace
  • Start date Start date
C

Cathyace

I went to a restore point on my computer that was too far back, the computer
froze for over an hour and I turned it off & on. Both mistakes. I have no
restore points now, cannot do a search (nothing there but a dog) & some of my
programs don't work correctly. I also think that IE (which is version 7) is
not working properly, as well as my AOL program. Other MS programs on my
computer also not working correctly.

I have a Dell dimension 8200 purchased in 2002 with windows xp home. The
install CD is old and has no updates.

I read about all of the problems with the SP updates and having to reinstall
them, etc. Would I be better off purchasing a new CD full XP version with the
SP 1 and 2 included to do the repair? I am not a tech type person. I'm more
concerned about doing the repair then the cost of the CD.

I don't want to lose everything on the computer if possible. Already did a
full reinstall in 2005. Thanks.
 
You slipstream SP3 with the original CD and then burn a new CD that is now
anXP w/SP3 CD. A Google search on slipstreaming will result in plenty of
info and instructions. Also, I use AutoStreamer to make the slipstreaming
process easier - a Google search should find a place to download it.
 
you might simply
try booting with
the windows cd
you have.

then you should be
provided with the option
to install or repair or exit.

for the suggestion i will
provide, you should select
repair, which you will then
end up with a disk prompt>:

at the prompt type the
following commands:

chkdsk /r
fixmbr
fixboot

then exit and try booting
your system again w/o
the cd.

---------------

in the event the above
commands proved to be
futile, then you can use your
cd again and select the
install option, which should
then provide you with the
option to repair your system.

however, the above step
only works if your cd version
is the same as the one on
your disk.


--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
 
Jerry said:
You slipstream SP3 with the original CD and then burn a new CD that is now
anXP w/SP3 CD. A Google search on slipstreaming will result in plenty of
info and instructions. Also, I use AutoStreamer to make the slipstreaming
process easier - a Google search should find a place to download it.
Click to expand...


Cathyace:
As Jerry infers, there's really no pressing need to purchase another XP
operating system (OS) installation CD, even it contains the later Service
Pack(s). While his "slipstreaming" suggestion is possibly a good one, it
might be best at this point to hold off on that for at least a moment until
you try to straighten out the current situation. Also, since (I'm assuming)
your XP CD was provided by Dell there possibly could be a problem affecting
that CD when its slipstreamed with a later XP Service Pack. Its something to
ascertain from Dell tech support. But in any event make one or more copies
of the CD you have if you have not already done so.

I wish you hadn't mentioned those magic words "AOL". They're the root cause
of so many problems affecting a PC, it boggles the mind. Anyway since you're
connected via AOL we have to live with that.

I take it you were attempting a System Restore because "programs on my
computer are also not working properly". Is that right?

It appears that your Dell CD will allow you to undertake a Repair install of
the XP OS, saving all your programs & data. See...
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/solve.htm#1136934
But I'm not quite sure about that - the part about salvaging all your
programs & personal data I mean. So consult your user manual to determine if
that's so.

Obviously it's impossible to tell just how corrupted your OS is. It doesn't
sound good from your description of the problem but perhaps a Repair install
will put things right again. Frankly my inclination would be to advise you
to undertake a "fresh install" of the OS (as apparently you did in 2005),
and let it go at that, but I can sympathize with your desire to save all
your data if possible. At least in the meantime while the system is at least
bootable, can you save whatever personal data you need or desire to
removable media such as a CD, flash drive, floppy disk, etc?

And of course we're assuming your system is malware-free, right? No viruses,
etc.? You've checked this out?

If the Repair install works and the system boots without incident and
properly functions following bootup, then you can install download from
Microsoft SP2 and install it on the machine. If things go smoothly
thereafter, then download/install SP3.

It just occurred to me that your Dell takes RDRAM (RAMBUS memory). I would
hope you would have 512 MB of that RAM installed. Do you? RDRAM was
wonderful memory in its day; even to this day it's hard to find a more
stable & solid type of RAM. But it's been superseded by the DDR type of RAM
so RAMBUS has slowly disappeared from the market. When you do find it from
some online vendor the cost for add'l modules are usually astronomical in
comparison with DDR memory. They're just not economically feasible any more.
Anna
 
Anna said:
Cathyace:
As Jerry infers, there's really no pressing need to purchase another XP
operating system (OS) installation CD, even it contains the later Service
Pack(s). While his "slipstreaming" suggestion is possibly a good one, it
might be best at this point to hold off on that for at least a moment
until you try to straighten out the current situation. Also, since (I'm
assuming) your XP CD was provided by Dell there possibly could be a
problem affecting that CD when its slipstreamed with a later XP Service
Pack. Its something to ascertain from Dell tech support. But in any event
make one or more copies of the CD you have if you have not already done
so.

I wish you hadn't mentioned those magic words "AOL". They're the root
cause of so many problems affecting a PC, it boggles the mind. Anyway
since you're connected via AOL we have to live with that.

I take it you were attempting a System Restore because "programs on my
computer are also not working properly". Is that right?

It appears that your Dell CD will allow you to undertake a Repair install
of the XP OS, saving all your programs & data. See...
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/solve.htm#1136934
But I'm not quite sure about that - the part about salvaging all your
programs & personal data I mean. So consult your user manual to determine
if that's so.

Obviously it's impossible to tell just how corrupted your OS is. It
doesn't sound good from your description of the problem but perhaps a
Repair install will put things right again. Frankly my inclination would
be to advise you to undertake a "fresh install" of the OS (as apparently
you did in 2005), and let it go at that, but I can sympathize with your
desire to save all your data if possible. At least in the meantime while
the system is at least bootable, can you save whatever personal data you
need or desire to removable media such as a CD, flash drive, floppy disk,
etc?

And of course we're assuming your system is malware-free, right? No
viruses, etc.? You've checked this out?

If the Repair install works and the system boots without incident and
properly functions following bootup, then you can install download from
Microsoft SP2 and install it on the machine. If things go smoothly
thereafter, then download/install SP3.

It just occurred to me that your Dell takes RDRAM (RAMBUS memory). I would
hope you would have 512 MB of that RAM installed. Do you? RDRAM was
wonderful memory in its day; even to this day it's hard to find a more
stable & solid type of RAM. But it's been superseded by the DDR type of
RAM so RAMBUS has slowly disappeared from the market. When you do find it
from some online vendor the cost for add'l modules are usually
astronomical in comparison with DDR memory. They're just not economically
feasible any more.
Anna
Click to expand...

If the OP has updated her computer to SP 2 or SP 3 she will have to
slipstream the latest (or her currently installed) service pack to her GOLD
OEM CD. Without it she will get the "trying to install an older version"
error when she tries to do a repair install.

IIRC from other posts about 3 months ago, you have to first slipstream SP1a
to the Gold CD then you can apply the SP3 update and complete the new CD.
SP3 won't install on a Gold CD from what I remember others stating.
 
LVTravel said:
IIRC from other posts about 3 months ago, you have to first slipstream
SP1a to the Gold CD then you can apply the SP3 update and complete the
new CD. SP3 won't install on a Gold CD from what I remember others
stating.
Click to expand...

That is incorrect. While it is true you need SP1a or later to *upgrade*
to SP3, it is possible to slipstream SP3 to *any* earlier version of
Windows -- even Gold:

http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm
 
Cathyace:
As Jerry infers, there's really no pressing need to purchase another XP
operating system (OS) installation CD, even it contains the later Service
Pack(s). While his "slipstreaming" suggestion is possibly a good one, it
might be best at this point to hold off on that for at least a moment until
you try to straighten out the current situation. Also, since (I'm assuming)
your XP CD was provided by Dell there possibly could be a problem affecting
that CD when its slipstreamed with a later XP Service Pack. Its something to
ascertain from Dell tech support. But in any event make one or more copies
of the CD you have if you have not already done so.

I wish you hadn't mentioned those magic words "AOL". They're the root cause
of so many problems affecting a PC, it boggles the mind. Anyway since you're
connected via AOL we have to live with that.

I take it you were attempting a System Restore because "programs on my
computer are also not working properly". Is that right?

It appears that your Dell CD will allow you to undertake a Repair install of
the XP OS, saving all your programs & data. See...
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim8200/solve.htm#1136934
But I'm not quite sure about that - the part about salvaging all your
programs & personal data I mean. So consult your user manual to determine if
that's so.

Obviously it's impossible to tell just how corrupted your OS is. It doesn't
sound good from your description of the problem but perhaps a Repair install
will put things right again. Frankly my inclination would be to advise you
to undertake a "fresh install" of the OS (as apparently you did in 2005),
and let it go at that, but I can sympathize with your desire to save all
your data if possible. At least in the meantime while the system is at least
bootable, can you save whatever personal data you need or desire to
removable media such as a CD, flash drive, floppy disk, etc?

And of course we're assuming your system is malware-free, right? No viruses,
etc.? You've checked this out?

If the Repair install works and the system boots without incident and
properly functions following bootup, then you can install download from
Microsoft SP2 and install it on the machine. If things go smoothly
thereafter, then download/install SP3.

It just occurred to me that your Dell takes RDRAM (RAMBUS memory). I would
hope you would have 512 MB of that RAM installed. Do you? RDRAM was
wonderful memory in its day; even to this day it's hard to find a more
stable & solid type of RAM. But it's been superseded by the DDR type of RAM
so RAMBUS has slowly disappeared from the market. When you do find it from
some online vendor the cost for add'l modules are usually astronomical in
comparison with DDR memory. They're just not economically feasible any more.
Anna
Click to expand...
Thanks everyone for all this useful info.
From what I have read since my XP cd is from Dell I cannot do the
slipstreaming thing. True? It is not a gold CD, but burgandy. When I put the
CD in it does give me that message about a newer version already being on my
computer. That is why I thought if I just got a new XP CD with everything on
it it would be better.
As for memory, I have upgraded to about 1gig.
No viruses or malware. I was going back to a previous restore because I
thought I may have deleted something I needed to uninstall a program that
conflicted with a new install of my McAfee. Dumb of me. Prior to that the
computer worked fine. I couldn't reinstall the Mcafee because of the other
program so I installed a different virus program.
I guess my best bet would be to back up what I can salvage on to my newly
purchased exterior hard drive and try the repair option. If it doesn't go
well then I'll have to do a fresh install. You all think I should just use
the original Dell CD and then just do all the updates?
 
From what I have read since my XP cd is from Dell I cannot do the
slipstreaming thing. True?
Click to expand...

Not true. But since Dell's disks do differ from generic OEM disks, there
are a number of other steps you need to take. Here are the basic
instructions:

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

When you follow these instructions along with the instructions from

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/installing-windowsxp,877.html

you can create a slipstreamed Dell disk. This method works with what are
called "Dell reinstallation" disks, which are essentially slightly
modified generic Windows installation disks (one of the advantages is
that activation is not necessary because of the nature of the OEM's
SLP). When you get to the "Extracting the bootloader step" from

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/installing-windowsxp,877-6.html

you will see Dell.img in place of MicrosoftCorporation.img .
It is not a gold CD, but burgandy.
Click to expand...

Gold in this case is not a color! It just means that it is the initial
release of Windows XP -- without any Service Packs. On your burgundy
disk, do you see the words Service Pack? If not, it is possible to
create a slipstreamed disk with SP3, but it *might* be a little too
difficult for you (based on what yousaid in your first post). If you
decide to perform a clean install (assuming you do have XP gold), it
would be handy to have both SP2 and SP3 beforehand (either the .exe
files or disks which can be created from .iso files -- both which can be
downloaded from Microsoft). Even though SP3 is for the most part
cumulative (that is, including SP2 plus a whole messs of later updates),
you still need to have an SP level of SP1a or later in order to apply
SP3 (remember we're talking abut installing, not slipstreaming!). So you
might as well upgrade from gold to SP2 and then you may upgrade to SP3.
I hope this isn't TMI!
When I put the CD in it does give me that message about a newer
version
already being on my computer.
Click to expand...

All that means is that you booted off your hard drive rather than off
the CD-ROM. You need to boot off the CD-ROM! One way to do this is to
enter your BIOS and alter your boot order. For more info:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
That is why I thought if I just got a new XP CD with everything on
it it would be better.
Click to expand...

It would save a few steps. Slipstreaming produces the equivalent of "a
new XP CD with everything on it." But even if you don't have an
installation CD with the latest Service Pack (3) integrated into it, you
can still get the job done. It will just take more steps.
As for memory, I have upgraded to about 1gig.
Click to expand...

If you were upgrading from 512MB, that probably wasn't necessary, but it
certainly won't hurt. Then again, if you originally had lower than
512MB, that was a good move.
No viruses or malware. I was going back to a previous restore because
I
thought I may have deleted something I needed to uninstall a program
that
conflicted with a new install of my McAfee. Dumb of me. Prior to that
the
computer worked fine. I couldn't reinstall the Mcafee because of the
other
program so I installed a different virus program.
Click to expand...

What do you mean by the phrase "previous restore"? If you are referring
to Windows XP's System Restore restore points, you can only "go back"
with regard to registry settings, etc.

McAfee has its own removal tool, which is necessary as using Windows
XP's Add or Remove Programs winds up leaving too many traces of it:

http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=TS100507&lc=1033
I guess my best bet would be to back up what I can salvage on to my
newly
purchased exterior hard drive and try the repair option. If it doesn't
go
well then I'll have to do a fresh install. You all think I should just
use
the original Dell CD and then just do all the updates?
Click to expand...

That method will work. But you should still download SP2 and SP3 from
Microsoft. If this is what you would like to do, post back and we will
be happy to instruct you in the best way to accomplish this.
 
Cathyace said:
Thanks everyone for all this useful info.
From what I have read since my XP cd is from Dell I cannot do the
slipstreaming thing. True? It is not a gold CD, but burgandy. When I put
the
CD in it does give me that message about a newer version already being on
my
computer. That is why I thought if I just got a new XP CD with everything
on
it it would be better.
As for memory, I have upgraded to about 1gig.
No viruses or malware. I was going back to a previous restore because I
thought I may have deleted something I needed to uninstall a program that
conflicted with a new install of my McAfee. Dumb of me. Prior to that the
computer worked fine. I couldn't reinstall the Mcafee because of the other
program so I installed a different virus program.
I guess my best bet would be to back up what I can salvage on to my newly
purchased exterior hard drive and try the repair option. If it doesn't go
well then I'll have to do a fresh install. You all think I should just use
the original Dell CD and then just do all the updates?
Click to expand...


Cathyace:
First of all, forget about the color of the CD. It's meaningless. And forget
about the slipstreaming process at this point. We can come back to that at a
later date, but for now all you want to do is to get your system back to a
bootable, functional state, right? That's your primary objective, yes?

So...

Anyway, you're wise to back up as much as your data as possible at this
time. Make that your first order of priority.

Is there any reason why you do not want to try the Repair install from your
Dell installation CD? Assuming such an install is available to you from that
CD, and if it is, return your system including all of your programs &
personal data to a workable machine, why not try it? What's there to lose?
If it's not available or if it is and it just doesn't work in your
particular situation, then you'll simply fresh install the OS, etc. as
you've indicated.

One way or another, after you've gotten the machine back to a bootable,
functional state, i.e., it's working properly with no problems...

Then you'll download & install Service Pack 2 from Microsoft at...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

(It's a huge file so it will take some time to download assuming you have
only an AOL dialup phone connection available to you. MS did have an SP2 CD
available but I'm not sure it still is available.)

Hopefully all will go well after you've installed SP2. If it does, then you
can download & install SP3 which will bring you pretty much up-to-date with
the critical security updates, etc. and there will not be to many of those
that you will have to install that were released after SP3 was released in
May of 2008.

There's an SP3 CD available from MS at a slight cost. See...
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/V...e890e6b4f5b&LocaleCode=en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes

Or you can download the file. See...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx

So get your machine up & running via the above and then we can talk about
the slipstreaming process. And of course you'll continue to check out the
system with your anti-virus program and any other anti-malware programs you
generally use.

Glad to hear you have 1 GB of RAMBUS (RDRAM) installed in your machine.
That's great! Rare that we find that much RDRAM in those older machines. You
can't be too rich or too thin or have too much RAMBUS!

Good luck.
Anna
 
Anna said:
Cathyace:
First of all, forget about the color of the CD. It's meaningless. And
forget about the slipstreaming process at this point. We can come back to
that at a later date, but for now all you want to do is to get your system
back to a bootable, functional state, right? That's your primary
objective, yes?

So...

Anyway, you're wise to back up as much as your data as possible at this
time. Make that your first order of priority.

Is there any reason why you do not want to try the Repair install from
your Dell installation CD? Assuming such an install is available to you
from that CD, and if it is, return your system including all of your
programs & personal data to a workable machine, why not try it? What's
there to lose? If it's not available or if it is and it just doesn't work
in your particular situation, then you'll simply fresh install the OS,
etc. as you've indicated.

One way or another, after you've gotten the machine back to a bootable,
functional state, i.e., it's working properly with no problems...

Then you'll download & install Service Pack 2 from Microsoft at...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

(It's a huge file so it will take some time to download assuming you have
only an AOL dialup phone connection available to you. MS did have an SP2
CD available but I'm not sure it still is available.)

Hopefully all will go well after you've installed SP2. If it does, then
you can download & install SP3 which will bring you pretty much up-to-date
with the critical security updates, etc. and there will not be to many of
those that you will have to install that were released after SP3 was
released in May of 2008.

There's an SP3 CD available from MS at a slight cost. See...
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/V...e890e6b4f5b&LocaleCode=en-us&JavaScriptOn=yes

Or you can download the file. See...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsxp/sp3/default.mspx

So get your machine up & running via the above and then we can talk about
the slipstreaming process. And of course you'll continue to check out the
system with your anti-virus program and any other anti-malware programs
you generally use.

Glad to hear you have 1 GB of RAMBUS (RDRAM) installed in your machine.
That's great! Rare that we find that much RDRAM in those older machines.
You can't be too rich or too thin or have too much RAMBUS!

Good luck.
Anna
Click to expand...

Anna, to do a repair install of XP the OP will need an install CD with XP of
at least the currently installed SP level. The OP may very well have to do
the slipstream to do the repair install. A repair install NEEDS the XP CD,
whether OEM or retail, of the current or later SP already on it otherwise
when the OP boots with the CD she will get the "newer version" error.
 
LVTravel said:
Anna, to do a repair install of XP the OP will need an install CD with XP
of at least the currently installed SP level. The OP may very well have
to do the slipstream to do the repair install. A repair install NEEDS the
XP CD, whether OEM or retail, of the current or later SP already on it
otherwise when the OP boots with the CD she will get the "newer version"
error.
Click to expand...


LVTravel:
Note that the OP is working with her *original* XP OS installation CD that
apparently does not contain any SP. In any event it's immaterial whether she
subsequently installed any of the SPs onto her system (although she infers
that she has not). Her machine is about six years old.

But in any event it doesn't matter. There is no need (at this point) to use
a "slipstreamed" XP OS installation CD containing this or that SP. She can,
and should, (if possible) run the Repair install (at this point) with her
original installation CD. The *real* problem here is that she indicated she
has the Dell-supplied XP OS installation CD and because of OEM
considerations it's uncertain whether that CD will permit a Repair install
of the system.

Should she be able to do so and the Repair install is successful, then she
can subsequently install SP2, and if all goes well at that point, install
SP3. Given her situation at this point my recommendation is to undertake the
Repair install with her original installation CD. Then we can talk about
"slipstreaming".
Anna
 
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