Hello everyone,
I'm having some problems reinstalling XP Home on an old Toshiba Satellite Pro M15-S405. Its an old laptop and I bought it from a computer tech who helped me create a backup of the OS when I first got it from him. So, I have my retail key for the OS along with the backup I created. Its been a few years since I have even powered it up and want to get it running so I can give it to a young woman in need. I just wanted to delete my personal files and scan the system for any problems. I used UltimateBootCD tools to make sure I deleted everything and there were no infections. Once I opened the tools and had it search the computer, I found viruses and malaware I think were attached to locations that must have affected the OS since I couldn't boot the computer after I deleted them.
Then, I accidently inserted the wrong backup disc (for my Dell desktop running Windows XP Professional) and really messed things up. When I realized what I had done I tried using the command prompt to repair any files from using the wrong disc but when it was finished, it said to insert my Windows disc to repair my system. I inserted the original backup disc I made for it and attempted to repair. After waiting a long time, the machine restarted with the same message as before. So, I figured I would have to do a reinstallation. Actually, I thought that would be a better idea anyway since I didn't recognize some of the files my previous scan had found.
So, I'm using the backup I created and insert the disc. Everything was going fine and it seemed as if it was going to work until the very end. In fact, it had already restarted itself once, maybe twice, which I assumed was part of the process. Then, I get an error that my disc is missing some files and setup cannot continue. I don't understand how that can be since the files on my disc came from that machine. Does anyone have any idea what I've done and how I can correct it? I already promised this machine to her and don't really want to tell her I ruined it. I'm not very good at this kind of stuff but I want to learn. Could there be a problem with the drive reading my disc? If so, I guess I would have to install using a flash drive but I have no idea how to create one.
I also have an older Sony Vaio desktop running XP Home that I had bought for my son. Thinking it was broken he gave it back to me and I just finished cleaning all the infections it had and got it running again. I'd like to create a separate partition on the hard drive for just the OS and then create a backup of it but I don't know how on this older machine. I use Clickfree for my file backups but the only drawback is it won't backup the OS. I think it will back up just about everything else but I have to create my own discs to backup my OS. I'm thinking there should be a way for me to create a new disc from that computer but I don't think that would work since they both have different drivers, hardware, etc. I did get in touch with Sony and am buying a set of restoration discs. Still, restoration is not the same as installation so I wouldn't be able to use those. Toshiba says I can't get the restore from them.
Can anyone tell me where I should go from here? I can't believe I messed up like this but hopefully, I can figure it out with your help.
Thanks,
Dana
I'm having some problems reinstalling XP Home on an old Toshiba Satellite Pro M15-S405. Its an old laptop and I bought it from a computer tech who helped me create a backup of the OS when I first got it from him. So, I have my retail key for the OS along with the backup I created. Its been a few years since I have even powered it up and want to get it running so I can give it to a young woman in need. I just wanted to delete my personal files and scan the system for any problems. I used UltimateBootCD tools to make sure I deleted everything and there were no infections. Once I opened the tools and had it search the computer, I found viruses and malaware I think were attached to locations that must have affected the OS since I couldn't boot the computer after I deleted them.
Then, I accidently inserted the wrong backup disc (for my Dell desktop running Windows XP Professional) and really messed things up. When I realized what I had done I tried using the command prompt to repair any files from using the wrong disc but when it was finished, it said to insert my Windows disc to repair my system. I inserted the original backup disc I made for it and attempted to repair. After waiting a long time, the machine restarted with the same message as before. So, I figured I would have to do a reinstallation. Actually, I thought that would be a better idea anyway since I didn't recognize some of the files my previous scan had found.
So, I'm using the backup I created and insert the disc. Everything was going fine and it seemed as if it was going to work until the very end. In fact, it had already restarted itself once, maybe twice, which I assumed was part of the process. Then, I get an error that my disc is missing some files and setup cannot continue. I don't understand how that can be since the files on my disc came from that machine. Does anyone have any idea what I've done and how I can correct it? I already promised this machine to her and don't really want to tell her I ruined it. I'm not very good at this kind of stuff but I want to learn. Could there be a problem with the drive reading my disc? If so, I guess I would have to install using a flash drive but I have no idea how to create one.
I also have an older Sony Vaio desktop running XP Home that I had bought for my son. Thinking it was broken he gave it back to me and I just finished cleaning all the infections it had and got it running again. I'd like to create a separate partition on the hard drive for just the OS and then create a backup of it but I don't know how on this older machine. I use Clickfree for my file backups but the only drawback is it won't backup the OS. I think it will back up just about everything else but I have to create my own discs to backup my OS. I'm thinking there should be a way for me to create a new disc from that computer but I don't think that would work since they both have different drivers, hardware, etc. I did get in touch with Sony and am buying a set of restoration discs. Still, restoration is not the same as installation so I wouldn't be able to use those. Toshiba says I can't get the restore from them.
Can anyone tell me where I should go from here? I can't believe I messed up like this but hopefully, I can figure it out with your help.
Thanks,
Dana
