I think I'm going to have to reinstall XP - help please?

[DelJo63]

GREAT just get the drivers BEFORE you wipe it clean and you will do fine.

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

the problem is, I don't know how to wipe it clean. :-(

 

[DelJo63]

Boot from the CD and it will prompt for a Fresh/Clean install. That will format the partition and BINGO! it's all gone.

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

will it be like it was when I bought it? After that I will just need to install all of the windows drivers right and then my programs and I'll be set?

 

[DelJo63]

each OEM could be different --- heck -- after all you've already gone thru AND
seeing you've recovered your files -- just go for it

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

if the Dell guy doesn't respond, I may just have to!! Thanks!

 

[almcneil]

How old is your Dell comp? They started the factory image restore feature in July 2004. If you bought before that time, it doesn't have it.

Also, you may have to try several times before you are able to get it. I had some customers where we had to restart and attempt 4 times before we got it. Again, wait until you see the Dell logo then keep pressing cntrl-F11, not too fast, not too slow. You'll know when you kick in the utility because the screen changes to "System Restore by Symantec".

No, the Windows System Restore will not work.

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

I got it in July 05. I've tried it a million times...hitting them at he same time, one then the other...is there any other way to do it? I'll try again some tomorrow, I sat with it for an hour or so.

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

ok, I've ctrl f11'd a million times and nothing...is there anything else I can do? Thanks

 

[DelJo63]

HOLD the <ctl> and pluse only the F11 ...

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

Still nothing and very desperate...

tried that for about half an hour and nothing...please, anyone? I am in desperate need to get this computer going.

 

[almcneil]

I recall posting this the other day but it doesn't appear in the list. Strange, I'm sure I did but I'll repost it again.

If you can't kick in the factory image restore utility, then you're out of luck. Either the hard drive was reformatted at some time and the image erased or the Master Boot Record (MBR) has been updated and the link to the image restore utility overwritten. It is possible to find the location of the image and then updated the MBR so this will work but it's very hairy, detailed procedure. You stated you want a simple, straightforward procedure to get your comp working again. Something you can't mess up.

That leaves a reformat & reinstall. Sorry but that's you're only viable option now. I wish I could offer you something better.

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

Could you tell me how to do it?

Or how to reformat and reinstall even? I'm opne to both at this point, I'm just desperate!!

 

[CCT]

http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/fixes.htm

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

thanks - i looked at that the other day and totally didn't understand it.

 

[almcneil]

Try the official site: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896526

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

"It is possible to find the location of the image and then updated the MBR so this will work but it's very hairy, detailed procedure."


How would I do this?

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

oh and I know how to reinstall, I've done it before, the problem is I don't know how to erase all the stuff from the last 3 times I've done it. I'm running out of disk space and I know it's because of all that. I just want to free up my disk space and then I can go from there.

 

[CCT]

During install, a screen will appear that shows what partitions you have on the drive - since your recovery sector is useless now, you select each in turn and then click delete (close to that anyway) until there is only one partition left then you opt to install to that partition.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

thanks - may be an ***** question but will that free up all my disk space and get rid of ALL old versions of XP and files?

 

[almcneil]

"It is possible to find the location of the image and then updated the MBR so this will work but it's very hairy, detailed procedure."


How would I do this?

You'll just have to trust me on this one. Someone wrote a detailed article on how to find the factory image partition and update the MBR. But it's a hairy, detailed procedure that only someone who is an experienced comp tech would understand and be able to accompish. You've mentioned that you want a procedure that is simple and striaghtforward, that you can't mess up. Then this procedure is not for you.

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

alright...well thanks for all of your help. I guess it's about time to buy a new one. I'll try the deleting of the partitions. What do I have to lose?

 

[CCT]

Get this in Free Version - start fresh like a brand new drive:

http://www.killdisk.com/


edit: on second thought, it may well be that Windows Authentication won't work online if you use that so just do the other. Unless you bought a new XP install disk,

 

[GeorgiaGirl47]

ok...but here's the thing, right now I can't get online because I haven't installed all the drivers and stuff, so can I download that to a disk and then install it on my laptop?

 

[CCT]

Read my edit - and read the info at that site. Time to slow down a bit and READ. Look through that install guideline and there is a good one here somewhere also (main page Guides or Guidelines).