HELP!! - Can I reload Windows XP???

[Suz]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Hi All -

For some reason, when I d/l'd & installed SP2 - my entire system is now
wacked out (looks weird, is acting funny on most programs: i.e. they never
start, etc.). This happened immediately after SP2 came out, too and system
restore supposedly "fixed" it the first time.

(I'm sending this from my laptop since it's my desktop that's affected).

I've tried system restore and backup restore as well and something just
still is not right.

At this point (after trying everything else I can think of) I think i need
to fdisk my C: drive and re-install Win XP Pro.

A couple questions:

1.) My hard disk is partitioned right now as follows: C:=NFTS while D: and
E: are FAT32. When I format with XP should I specify that C: should be
FAT32 also? Could this be part of the problem??

2.) Will re-installing affect the "activation" requirement -- in other
words, will MS give me another number since it was their "SP2" that caused
the problem? (It had to be since I've avoided downloading it since the
first attempt until I thought I had the system "cleaned up" enough to try
again and I haven't added any programs or changed any settings since then
either.)

3.) If I CAN do a clean re-install, should I do all windows updates (even
SP2) before loading anything additional (i.e. McAfee, ZoneAlarm, etc.)??

Thanks in advance to all you gurus out there!! I appreciate any help you
can give me.

Susie
***suz_xman@adelphia.leavemealone.net***
(remove stars and "leavemealone" to directly email me)

 

[Suz]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Hi Shenan - thanks for your reply with all the great information - I really
appreciate all the time you took to help me out - just a couple questions
below...


"Shenan Stanley" <news_helper@hushmail.com> wrote in message
news:<eVWVYr6vEHA.1340@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl>...
> Answers inline...
>
> SuZ wrote:
> > For some reason, when I d/l'd & installed SP2 - my entire system is
> > now wacked out (looks weird, is acting funny on most programs: i.e.
> > they never start, etc.). This happened immediately after SP2 came
> > out, too and system restore supposedly "fixed" it the first time.
>
> You used System Restore to "uninstall" SP2?

It didn't "uninstall" it -- it just undid enough to make WinXP marginally
work again apparently.

>
> > (I'm sending this from my laptop since it's my desktop that's
> > affected).
> >
> > I've tried system restore and backup restore as well and something
> > just still is not right.
> >
> > At this point (after trying everything else I can think of) I think i
> > need to fdisk my C: drive and re-install Win XP Pro.
> >
> > A couple questions:
> >
> > 1.) My hard disk is partitioned right now as follows: C:=NFTS while
> > D: and E: are FAT32. When I format with XP should I specify that C:
> > should be FAT32 also? Could this be part of the problem??
>
> You mean NTFS. You can mix any formats that Windows will allow. This is
> not what your problem is. I do recommend, however, since you seem to know
> what you are doing essentially - going all NTFS.

When I get done fixing the C: drive (leaving it in NTFS), I'll definitely
redo the others to be the same.

>
> > 2.) Will re-installing affect the "activation" requirement -- in other
> > words, will MS give me another number since it was their "SP2" that
> > caused the problem? (It had to be since I've avoided downloading it
> > since the first attempt until I thought I had the system "cleaned up"
> > enough to try again and I haven't added any programs or changed any
> > settings since then either.)
>
> I doubt it was "SP2 that caused the problem", however, you can reinstall
> Windows XP on the same machine as many times as you want. If it is
> retail, you can remove it from one machine and install it on another
> machine as many times as you want. You purchased the USE of the operating
> system.
>
> > 3.) If I CAN do a clean re-install, should I do all windows updates
> > (even SP2) before loading anything additional (i.e. McAfee,
> > ZoneAlarm, etc.)??
>
> I would recommend this, yes. Matter of fact - I have a list I think you
> should follow if you are going to do this clean installation.
>
> > Thanks in advance to all you gurus out there!! I appreciate any help
> > you can give me.
> >
> > Susie
>
>
> 1) Backup all your important files, emails, contacts, documents, pictures,
> etc.
> 2) Disconnect from the Internet.

****Should I fdisk and reformat c: before proceeding here???***

> 3) Reinstall Windows XP from CD.
> 4) Turn off system restore, turn on system restore, make a manual
> restoration point.
> 5) Turn on your Internet Connection Firewall.
> 6) Connect to the Internet.
> 7) Go to each of the manufacturer web pages for your hardware
> (motherboard,
> video card, sound card, etc.) and download/install the latest hardware
> drivers.
> 8) Make a manual restoration point.
> 9) http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ -> scan for updates, write down the
> critical update numbers you need and perform the critical updates.
> (Should
> include SP2.)
>
> Now that you have Windows up to date and such, install your AntiVirus and
> AntiSpyware immunizations. Keep your system clean with the following
> tips:
>
> *WARNING* This is a LONG spill, all in plain text and simplified so that
> even non-techs should be able to understand it. Hopefully this will
> assist some people in not only repairing their systems, but in making
> them faster and more stable tools for them to use. It contains advice
> on many things, many considered "common knowledge" to 'IT' people
> everywhere. It is split into major sections, hopefully this will make
> it easier to navigate. *WARNING*
>
> Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC. Every attempt
> has been made to be general and an assumption of a "Windows" operating
> system is made here as well - although in some ways, this could be
> adapted to any OS.
>
>{and there was clippage.....}

> Hope it helps.
>
> --
> <- Shenan ->

It WILL help - thanks again,
Susie
> --
> The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
> yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
> responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
> getting into before you jump in with both feet.
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

SuZ wrote:
> Hi Shenan - thanks for your reply with all the great information - I
> really appreciate all the time you took to help me out - just a
> couple questions below...
>> 1) Backup all your important files, emails, contacts, documents,
>> pictures, etc.
>> 2) Disconnect from the Internet.
>
> ****Should I fdisk and reformat c: before proceeding here???***
>

No.. That's part of the NEXT step. It will ask you the partition you wish
to install Windows XP on during the "Boot from CD, next next next" steps.
You simply erase the partition in question and create a new one and continue
with the install.

>> 3) Reinstall Windows XP from CD.
>> 4) Turn off system restore, turn on system restore, make a manual
>> restoration point.

--
<- Shenan ->
--
The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
getting into before you jump in with both feet.

 

[Suz]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (More info?)

Thanks again - I *really* appreciate your help and the list you sent. I'm
going to roll up my sleeves and dive in probably Saturday.

Take care!
Susie

"Shenan Stanley" <news_helper@hushmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23weAgUOwEHA.3088@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> SuZ wrote:
>> Hi Shenan - thanks for your reply with all the great information - I
>> really appreciate all the time you took to help me out - just a
>> couple questions below...
>>> 1) Backup all your important files, emails, contacts, documents,
>>> pictures, etc.
>>> 2) Disconnect from the Internet.
>>
>> ****Should I fdisk and reformat c: before proceeding here???***
>>
>
> No.. That's part of the NEXT step. It will ask you the partition you wish
> to install Windows XP on during the "Boot from CD, next next next" steps.
> You simply erase the partition in question and create a new one and
> continue with the install.
>
>>> 3) Reinstall Windows XP from CD.
>>> 4) Turn off system restore, turn on system restore, make a manual
>>> restoration point.
>
> --
> <- Shenan ->
> --
> The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
> yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
> responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
> getting into before you jump in with both feet.
>