PC is bolloxed - reload advice needed

[guitarman]

I f'ing hate XP. My 6 month old PC is now almost unusable. Eudora won't start, PC reboots after stand-by, also reboots after changing users. It won't start in safe mode due to "XP installation missing", explorer often hangs, DVDs won't format and when it does run it runs like a dog. The system information seems really odd. According to the Device Manager I've got 2 terminals and 2 processors. I now get the blue "error screen" every day. I've been onto Mesh who gave me a list of things to do but none of them worked.

I've got no idea what's causing the problem. I can't find anything in the restore "calendar" that matches with the start of the failures so it looks like a reload.

I've already backed up all the data files I need but is there anything else (network settings etc.) that I should backup? Should I just reinstall XP or do I have to do anything else? Bearing in mind that it appears to be a driver problem (or at least that's what Windows error processing is telling me) how can I make sure I'm not going to re-introduce the error?

Cheers

Dick

 

[Clive795]

Might be worth trying a repair before a full install - boot from the XP CD, you get to a point where it says something like 'press enter to install, R to repair@ - weirdly you do not press R but go with 'enter'. It will go through the process of looking at the hard drive and loading some temp files before you get a true option to repair.

As far as the two processors in task manager- this is probably just hyperthreading enabled in the BIOS. In technical terms it is some jiggery-pokery that the BIOS/processor does to fully utilise the processor i.e. it fools the software into thinking you have two processors. Not sure what you mean by two terminals.

Course it could be that none of the above applies and you have a seriously fecked up machine that needs complete re instal.

Clive

 

[guitarman]

Thanks Clive. I've not heard of this "repair" before. Is it something that happens when you boot from the Windows disk?

Terminals - sorry I've been on mainframes for too long - what I mean is that Device Manager tells me I've got 2 Viewsonic VDUs.

Cheers

Dick

 

[cookie]

save (export) your address book in OE + any emails you may want (you'd have to look up how to do that as i never bother).

save IE favourites too.

now, i might have mentioned this before: when it's done, partition your hard drive, keep all the system files on "C", put all data files on the new partition, then back up C with acronis, ghost, whatever.

it's dead simple & a restore will take less than 15 minutes

 

[guitarman]

save (export) your address book in OE + any emails you may want (you'd have to look up how to do that as i never bother).

save IE favourites too.

now, i might have mentioned this before: when it's done, partition your hard drive, keep all the system files on "C", put all data files on the new partition, then back up C with acronis, ghost, whatever.

it's dead simple & a restore will take less than 15 minutes

I've already got the mails backed up.

Not enough in IE favourites to make it worthwhile.

OK, can I partition it before I reload XP and I assume I have to buy Ghost or Acronis?

I take it that having partioned it then a restore won't affect the data not in the "c" part?

Cheers

Dick

 

[cookie]

I've already got the mails backed up.

OK, can I partition it before I reload XP and I assume I have to buy Ghost or Acronis?
Cheers

Dick

yes you can partition it before loading windows. it can be done by windows install disc i believe, but it's not straightforward.

i use partition manager or acronis disc director. it can be set up now in windows if it's still functional, or you need to make a boot disc within the partitioning program.

I take it that having partioned it then a restore won't affect the data not in the "c" part?

Cheers

Dick

that's the idea

 

[guitarman]

yes you can partition it before loading windows. it can be done by windows install disc i believe, but it's not straightforward.

i use partition manager or acronis disc director. it can be set up now in windows if it's still functional, or you need to make a boot disc within the partitioning program.



that's the idea

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. A bit better than having to reload all my data. I've just ordered the Norton stuff from Amazon so expect another "help" posting later in the week.........

Cheers

Dick

 

[Fanum]

Don't bother trying to repair it Dick.....it ain't worth the bovver mate....

As long as you're happy you have the info you want, dig out the XP disc and JFDI......use the option to format the drive first though so you're starting as cleanly as possible.

Do the partitioning thing Cookie suggests as well- it'll make things much easier next time round.

After you've reformatted partitioned and installed windows again, I'd suggest the following order to do things in;

1) D/load and patch AVG (free and better than Norton security et al.)
2) D/Load and patch Zonealarm. (same applies)
3) Use windows update site and d/load SP2, all the security updates and let it install any drivers it finds for your kit along the way.
4) D/load and patch Firefox but don't get the Beta 2 version....it's buggy
5) D/load and install latest sound card, graphics, printer and any other peripheral drivers.
6) Mapsource, office, and any other apps you use go on last.

7) Copy all your install discs and the drivers into a folder called 'Install discs' on your D drive, then next time you won't have to piss about swapping discs, you can just do it from D:/

8) sit back and admire how fast your PC is

9) Stop and desist in your regular visitations to the sort of sites that have undoubtedly caused your systrem to fall over......I'll give you a list of 'safe' ones if you like

 

[guitarman]

Don't bother trying to repair it Dick.....it ain't worth the bovver mate....

As long as you're happy you have the info you want, dig out the XP disc and JFDI......use the option to format the drive first though so you're starting as cleanly as possible.

Do the partitioning thing Cookie suggests as well- it'll make things much easier next time round.

After you've reformatted partitioned and installed windows again, I'd suggest the following order to do things in;

1) D/load and patch AVG (free and better than Norton security et al.)
2) D/Load and patch Zonealarm. (same applies)
3) Use windows update site and d/load SP2, all the security updates and let it install any drivers it finds for your kit along the way.
4) D/load and patch Firefox but don't get the Beta 2 version....it's buggy
5) D/load and install latest sound card, graphics, printer and any other peripheral drivers.
6) Mapsource, office, and any other apps you use go on last.

7) Copy all your install discs and the drivers into a folder called 'Install discs' on your D drive, then next time you won't have to piss about swapping discs, you can just do it from D:/

8) sit back and admire how fast your PC is

9) Stop and desist in your regular visitations to the sort of sites that have undoubtedly caused your systrem to fall over......I'll give you a list of 'safe' ones if you like

Thanks Bill, excellent instructions but I'm a little wary of a complete reformat but if I can't fix it with a re-partition and reload of XP then that's what I'll have to do.

The only site I regularly visit on that PC is this one Mind you I've no idea where the rest of the family goes..........

Cheers

Dick

ps got some links to the "safe" sites then ?

 

[Iain Hogg]

Dick, I've got SP2 on CD if you don't want to wait for the download

Iain

 

[Fanum]

Thanks Bill, excellent instructions but I'm a little wary of a complete reformat but if I can't fix it with a re-partition and reload of XP then that's what I'll have to do.

The only site I regularly visit on that PC is this one Mind you I've no idea where the rest of the family goes..........

Cheers

Dick

ps got some links to the "safe" sites then ?

The re-format and complete re-install option is actually easier IMO....far less chance of a fekkup and although it takes longer, will pretty much guarantee a successful outcome whereas repairing stuff through the xp console can cause all sorts of problems as you get older versions of system files conflicting with newer versions under SP2 etc etc.

PS try xnxx.com for a start

A certain lady of this site put me onto myfreepaysite.com recently....some good full length films if you have BB capable of streaming speeds but it does require a valid email addy....do a google search for temporary email hosters though and you're sorted.....it's messy and has some pop ups but it's good (and I've had full security on it all the time and not detected any virii/trojans etc etc)


PS Microsoft will send you a free cd with SP2 on it if you email them......might not be quick enough this time but it's usefull to have for the future.

 

[guitarman]

Dick, I've got SP2 on CD if you don't want to wait for the download

Iain

Thanks Iain but I've got an XP SP2 disk with the PC. Looks like I've got a fun weekend ahead, not

Cheers

Dick

 

[guitarman]

The re-format and complete re-install option is actually easier IMO....far less chance of a fekkup and although it takes longer, will pretty much guarantee a successful outcome whereas repairing stuff through the xp console can cause all sorts of problems as you get older versions of system files conflicting with newer versions under SP2 etc etc.

PS try xnxx.com for a start

Bill, I'm sure you're right but the idea of a complete reformat does worry me. It's a good job I've got another working PC so I can still post "help" pleas here

ps I really haven't been onto dodgy sites (when the PC is in the family room... ) so I don't think that's been a problem. I'm also running Ad-aware, AVG and ZA so would have hoped they might have stopped anything damaging. But, I know a certain member of the family has been known to visit file sharing sites. Has anybody had any experience of Kazaa and the like causing problems?

Thanks again.

Cheers

Dick

 

[Iain Hogg]

Thanks Iain but I've got an XP SP2 disk with the PC. Looks like I've got a fun weekend ahead, not

Cheers

Dick

That's fine if it's better than the one provided with my Dell machine - it's not a bootable CD so is COMPLETELY useless for a complete clean reformat/re-install

I have managed a workaround in the past though

I'm around and unemployed this weekend for some assistance or a ride as necessary

Iain

 

[guitarman]

That's fine if it's better than the one provided with my Dell machine - it's not a bootable CD so is COMPLETELY useless for a complete clean reformat/re-install

I have managed a workaround in the past though

I'm around and unemployed this weekend for some assistance or a ride as necessary

Iain

Hmmmm, I think I need to speak to Mesh to see if it is a bootable version.... I'll be going out to Wessons on Sat morning if you fancy a trip out so maybe I can get the disk from you then.

Cheers

Dick

 

[cookie]

KAZAA

try taking that off before you do anything. it's so loaded with spyware, it can cripple your pc. i've seen it happen.

as regards non booting XP disc, i have to ask "what's the point?" so you can pick off a few files as needed? tossers!

however, as long as it's got all the files on it, and you have a cd burner + nero, i can tell you how to make it bootable

i can even send you simple(ish) instuctions on how to slipstream SP2 onto the disc so it installs with XP.

 

[guitarman]

KAZAA

try taking that off before you do anything. it's so loaded with spyware, it can cripple your pc. i've seen it happen.

as regards non booting XP disc, i have to ask "what's the point?" so you can pick off a few files as needed? tossers!

however, as long as it's got all the files on it, and you have a cd burner + nero, i can tell you how to make it bootable

i can even send you simple(ish) instuctions on how to slipstream SP2 onto the disc so it installs with XP.

Kazaa eh? It was uninstalled just after it was loaded and I've since run spyware checks without turning up anything suspicious.

I've still got to check with Mesh if their disk is bootable or not but Iain has a bootable disk so perhaps I can avoid any further complications but I'll let you know.

Cheers

Dick


Any instructions would

 

[Iain Hogg]

but Iain has a bootable disk

Unfortunately not, I have a workaround which is not all that clean

To test if it yours is bootable, put it in the drive and turn the PC off. Restart and go into the BIOS where you set the first boot device to be the CD drive and continue.

It will either boot from the CD, the HD or complain.

Iain

 

[guitarman]

Unfortunately not, I have a workaround which is not all that clean

To test if it yours is bootable, put it in the drive and turn the PC off. Restart and go into the BIOS where you set the first boot device to be the CD drive and continue.

It will either boot from the CD, the HD or complain.

Iain

Just spoken to Mesh. Their CD is bootable and they agree that a reformat and a reload is probably the way to go although they have a "return to factory settings" option on recovery that I'll try first.

Wessons Saturday Iain?

Cheers

Dick

 

[Iain Hogg]

Wessons Saturday Iain?

Possibly, it depends how much I have to "help" my friend on Friday evening , he was made redundant yesterday

Anyway, off to the Jobcentre now myself to do the necessary

Iain