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  • #2202631

    I need help!!! =[

    Locked

    by throwbak ·

    Hello… Im trying to reformat my step dads computer. It has windows XP, which was recently reformatted off of a partition located on the computer. The partition, I believe, was corrupted at 1 time, and gives multiple errors dealing with the SVCHost and other critical processes. Instead of trying to fix this, I figured lets try reformattin from a boot disc.

    So I went ahead and got a windows XP boot disc, with SP2 already installed.. burnt it… And tried to use it.

    The result :
    Restarted the computer, inserted the disc, and set the computer up to boot from disc. It doesn’t do anything, except sit on a black screen and it has a blinking underscore. I let the computer sit for about 15 minutes like this.

    I know the Boot disc works, as I recently used the EXACT same disc(Same disc i burned…) to reformat/reinstall windows xp on another machine. The machine with the working XP runs perfectly fine, and I had no problems with installation.

    Its like the boot disc is trying to boot, but fails with no kind of error reporting. Please Help.. =[

    PS. The system specs are below for the computer that won’t boot(Let me know if you need more information)…

    HP Pavilion – AMD Athlon XP 3200+ 2.2GHZ processor. Currently has Windows XP Home Edition(32-bit of course).

    Tried using a Windows XP Professional 32-bit iso file, which I already said, worked on another desktop(A Dell optiplex).

All Answers

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    Replies
    • #2946391

      Clarifications

      by throwbak ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      Clarifications

    • #2946386

      “[i]burnt it… And tried to use it.[/i]” …

      by older mycroft ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      So right off, from the very start, we have a suspect install disc.

      What do you mean you “[i]got a windows XP boot disc, with SP2 already installed.. burnt it… And tried to use it.[/i]” – [b]Why don’t you have the disc that came with the machine?[/b]

      Also “[i]Restarted the computer, inserted the disc, and set the computer up to boot from disc.[/i]” ~ [b]This is all arse over t|t. If you restart the PC and [u]THEN[/u] put the install disc in, it’ll [i]NEVER[/i] boot from it.[/b]

      I’m curious as to why your are trying to install from an ISO of a boot disc that came from somewhere, rather than using the bespoke install disc that came with the computer?

      You cannot have a common install disc and just go around willy-nilly installing with it whenever and wherever you choose to. I dare say you cannot even declare that this ISO is a genuine installer.

      • #2946381

        indeed.. but…

        by throwbak ·

        In reply to “[i]burnt it… And tried to use it.[/i]” …

        HP doesn’t include discs with thier computers, instead they have Parition(usally d:/, called recovery).. And as I stated it was currupted before formatting came up.

        And the ‘common disc’ that you are referring to is a Windows XP boot disc MADE from another XP machine. I do know it works, because I installed it(The EXACT SAME DISC) on another machine with no problems… Thus meaning(at least to me) that it works…

        And by the ‘REstarted computer.. then inserted disc..’ It wasn’t the order I did it.. I restarted, inserted, booted up from C:, Then restarted again WITH disc in the drive…

        If the installation disc was the problem, I would of never posted here(I’m a hobbiest programmer.. So I know most common troubleshooting methods). Thats why I came for help…

        • #2946370

          New Question

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to indeed.. but…

          you say that you created a boot disk (xp) from another XP system — this wouldnt be the OS disk for the other system would it?

          If so, I dont think that it will work.

    • #2946375

      Have you tried

      by rob miners ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      reloading the OS from the Recovey Partition.

      • #2946371

        I dont think it works

        by the scummy one ·

        In reply to Have you tried

        the recovery partition on my HP system is for diagnostics AND to allow (in Windows) to create the install disks

        • #2946369

          So

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I dont think it works

          that would mean that if you didn’t create the install disks you are up the creek. 😉

        • #2946364

          On the very first boot, an HP unit invites the user …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to So

          To create a set of Recovery Discs, which includes the reinstall recovery disc.

          I’ve seen users complain that HP doesn’t supply an install disc, then when I ask them if they made a recovery disc on their initial boot they mumble something about “Yeah I saw that screen come up but just ignored it…”

          That’s the usual response which usually ellicits a gasp of despair from me. 😉

        • #2946361

          It does it again 2 weeks later

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to On the very first boot, an HP unit invites the user …

          if it was not made

        • #2946359

          Yep

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to On the very first boot, an HP unit invites the user …

          I know that feeling. It’s also a bummer when you replace a Hard drive and you get a code purple. That is with the install DVD. 😉

        • #2946363

          Yup

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to So

          and what is worse — it only allows 1 set of disks. This almost screwed me previously, because I made the disks, however the second disk wouldnt be read for about 6 tries.

        • #2946357

          That has always been

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to Yup

          a concern for me. You only need one glitch and your hosed. 😉

        • #2946355

          Personally, I think the restricion should be

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to That has always been

          3 sets

        • #2946353

          You won’t know

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to Personally, I think the restricion should be

          if you have a working copy until it’s needed. It’s a real catch 22. 😉

        • #2946352

          or, even if it works

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to Personally, I think the restricion should be

          accidents happen.
          An accidental scratch :0
          a poor quality disk :0

        • #2946821

          I don’t rely on recovery disks.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Yup

          I buy an OS disk, hunt down the drivers if I can’t get a disk with the machine, ‘own’ the software I run, therefore having install disks for it.

          Saved my ass a couple times running this way.

        • #2946819

          I don’t buy

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t rely on recovery disks.

          proprietary Systems full stop. To pinch a phrase, I roll my own. 😉

        • #2946818

          I do too.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          Except with laptops. Don’t even wanna fiddle in them dinky spaces.

          First time a lappie goes down though, I blow away the recovery partition and build what I want with it software wise at any rate.

        • #2946801

          Up until this system

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          I built my own. However, I decided to have everything all in 1 place, not spending nights hunting down drivers/warranties, etc..

          Less than 3 months went by and I had the bug to build a system — however not the cash 🙁

        • #2946794

          I’ve had a few

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          proprietary Systems passed over to me and I’ve worked on a few over the years. I find that they have just enough grunt to operate. They always seem to have a low wattage PSU and an insufficient amount of RAM. The chipset is a lucky dip as well.

          I’ve also found that it may not always be cheaper but I end up with a kick@ss System. That is until it’s outdated. 😀

        • #2946776

          This one still works fine for me

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          so I aint complainin bout it. Of course I shelled out $1700 for it, but I didnt have to think about what works with what, or any other issues (HW).

        • #2946740

          Take 2

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          You can get a good one every now and then.

          I will see if I get kicked off this time when I submit.

        • #2946730

          I was getting kicked off

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          quite a bit earlier — it passed.

        • #2946728

          LOL

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          that clock must be getting ready for the weekend. 😀

        • #2946685

          I recently bought a used Dell system simply because it

          by deadly ernest ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          was so cheap I couldn’t buy another 64 bit 3 ghz chip or a motherboard for the price of the used system. 512 MB RAM on board graphics and sound, 80 GB HDD with Win XP home on it, a dying mouse moved faster than it did. I put in a spare 300 GB HDD, put two 2GB RAM chips, loaded Kbuntu – damn thing flies at light speed now. Just need a decent low profile PCI graphics card for it. Total cost, except for the HDD (the one from the system whose motherboard went west on me), was A$200 – had to buy the 4 GB of RAM as the system uses DDR2 and I had no DDR2 chips in any other system.

        • #2946576

          Isn’t it funny

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          how a Linux install will run super fast on some of these older Systems. Looks like you had a win win DE. 😉

        • #2946572

          Yep, sure did, a cheap replacement with a better chip

          by deadly ernest ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          the only problem is the cheap on board graphics is no good for games – but that’s no problem as I just finished rebuilding a P2 400 as my Win 98 games box with a couple of gig of RAM – sweetest Win 98 box I’ve ever had.

        • #2946567

          Junee

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          situated on the the only road to take if you are going from Queanbeyan to Wagga. I’ve passed through it quite a few times. Nice place. I lived in Coolamon for a couple of years before heading up here.

          I have an old AMD based System here somewhere that is the fastest Win98 System that I’ve ever seen. I can’t put my hands on it at the moment to check the specks. I know it’s in the shed somewhere.

        • #2946565

          Now why were YOU going from Queanbeyan to Wagga?

          by deadly ernest ·

          In reply to I don’t buy

          I actually moved down here from Queanbeyan for personal reasons – leave Queanbeyan Canberra or be sent crazy by my ex and my sister.

          You must have been in the Queanbeyan area for a while to have called it that instead of Canberra.

        • #2946559

          Born

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to I don’t rely on recovery disks.

          in Cooma. Had nearly 30 years in Queanbeyan and around the area. Bungendore a couple of times, Captains Flat. I know that area well as we used to live and work on properties. We used to Chrismas break at Weejasper, I worked for Weejasper station for awhile. I still have four sisters in Queanbeyan and one in Noosa. I will be heading down to Queanbeyan in january for my nephews wedding. I still have a lot of mates down there so I will be taking a break while I’m there.

    • #2946341

      Did it ever cross your mind that it could be…

      by thumbsup2 ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      … the reader is bad (try another CD/DVD ROM) or even that the particular media you used to burn the ISO can’t be read by that particular reader? Happens all the time!

      • #2946293

        A test

        by ed woychowsky ·

        In reply to Did it ever cross your mind that it could be…

        Get a Linux Live CD and see if you can boot off of that. If you can then ThumbsUp2 is right.

        • #2946289

          Mmm – not entirely sure about that …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to A test

          Don’t you have to burn the ISO to [b]GET[/b] a Linux Live CD?

          He’d be burning it onto the same media stock. 😉

        • #2947076

          Don’t be a git, OM ;)

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Mmm – not entirely sure about that …

          He can “get” (meaning “obtain”) the Live CD of his choice from http://www.linuxcd.org/.

          If he’s willing to pay and wait, that is… 🙂

        • #2947065

          Jeez !! PAY for open source software ? …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to Don’t be a git, OM ;)

          Well now, – THAT is clever. 😉

        • #2946826

          You just knew somebody would come up with it

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to Jeez !! PAY for open source software ? …

          What surprises me is that, as a business model, it appears to be successful.

          Who knew?

          BTW, I DO like the new avatar. Things looking Up for you? 😉

        • #2946822

          You get the t-shirt and the cigar !! …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to You just knew somebody would come up with it

          You’re the first peer to spot what the avatar is, in terms of where I lifted it from.

          A 78-year-old hero seemed rather apt, for my brain.

          Well done! 😀

          [i]That calls for a change in my expression![/i] 😉

        • #2946729

          Unfair advantage

          by nicknielsen ·

          In reply to You just knew somebody would come up with it

          I happen to like animated movies.
          .
          .
          .
          It also happens that I saw the trailer the other day. 😀

        • #2946820

          www.osdisc.com, too.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to Don’t be a git, OM ;)

          I never get a good burn. I gave up. I order them for about $3 apiece. Yahoo. Less aggravation, cheap.

        • #2946817

          LOSER !! …

          by older mycroft ·

          In reply to www.osdisc.com, too.

          Honestly – one hundred and one Thumbs and you can’t burn a decent disc??!! 😉

        • #2946816

          Phbbbbt.

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to LOSER !! …

          I think the downloads go wrong somewhere. Those freaking torrents drive me up a wall. Slower than snail schit.

        • #2946510

          Oh, to answer your question…

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to LOSER !! …

          I’ve a bunch of thumbs for recipes, smartassishness, opinion, and incredible wit. B-)

        • #2946501

          Hey Box, that bit about wit

          by deadly ernest ·

          In reply to LOSER !! …

          sounds about half right.

        • #2946498

          Oh, my. DE!

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to LOSER !! …

          I’m gonna have to remember that for future use. ]:)

        • #2946811

          I’ve had an excellent run

          by rob miners ·

          In reply to www.osdisc.com, too.

          with Pioneer DVD Drives. 😉

        • #2946804

          I’ve had an excellent run

          by boxfiddler ·

          In reply to I’ve had an excellent run

          with Plextor. My problem is anything Torrent. Gave up on Torrents. Bah.

    • #2946244

      Try….

      by c f usa ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      Try booting from a Knoppix CD to see if it works, if not, make sure your bios is set to boot from CD…

      IF Bios is good and/or Knoppix works,then bad CD, if neither work, check your CD Drive…could be bad 🙁

      Next try one of your “burnt discs” in another machine, not to install, just to boot.

      Worst case, if our drive is good, google your Model and you can find a few people selling Recovery CD’s that HP/Compaq no longer offer.

      Also may want to make sure your HDD didnt go out…just a thought they MAY or may not have been overlooked

      Good Luck

      • #2946165

        Hmm

        by throwbak ·

        In reply to Try….

        Thanks for everyones support(and the little side convo made it feel like some real support from instore lol :P).

        I’m pretty sure the CD/DVD Reader works fine. When I insert a disc into either drive(It has 2, one for CD/DVD reading and the other is a DVD-RW Drive) after the computer boots from C:/ it works. I tried using different discs, and even other burning programs. Its like my drive/comptuer freezes when it tries to boot from it. I’m possitive that the Boot is set up for the CD Drive(s) first, THEN hard-disk.

        Like I said, the computer pretty much works fine off the hard disk, no hardware problems that I know of. It gets multiple errors, and all start up programs return errors and close.

        ALSO The Recovery Partition has been currupted; Meaning that IF I do use it to make a recovery disc, it will not work( I have tried). I also tried to reformat through the recovery partition(thats why the current windows installed is fucked).

        I do have 1 Question though, does the Windows XP Install disc need to be on a CD-R, or can it be on a DVD-R?(I heard that only CD-R’s are used for XP installation, but the DVD-R i used on the dell worked fine. That might be the problem?)

        • #2946160

          it used to be

          by sue t ·

          In reply to Hmm

          that you could call HP and they would send you recovery CDs. Yes, they will charge you for it but I believe it used to be about $10. From what you said though, I think I would be scanning the computer for virus and malware and run sfc (system file checker) to scan for and replace any bad system files. Also, was new hardware or a new program installed before you started having problems?
          Good luck.

        • #2946142

          Or — without calling

          by the scummy one ·

          In reply to it used to be

          you can go to http://www.hp.com and look at the drivers for the system, there should be an option to have an image disk mailed to you.

          My brother did that a couple of years ago — cost was $18 and it took 4 days to arrive.

        • #2946124

          Drivers yes…CD’s maybe

          by c f usa ·

          In reply to Or — without calling

          The drivers are almost always there (http://support.hp.com) but for the CD’s depending on when it was made, they may not be available. A quick google search will give him/her some options as to “copies” of recovery cd’s or perhaps he can find someone who actually made the backup.

          I was quite disappointed to learn that HP does not keep a copy for sale, but alas, their company, their rules.

        • #2946126

          CD/R DVD/R

          by c f usa ·

          In reply to Hmm

          To my knowledge it doesnt matter, I have seen both used.

          As far as checking to see if the computer is set up to boot from CD, hit F2 (or whatever button appears on startup of the pc) and enter your bios and check your boot options.

          Concerning the replacement CD’s from HP, they may or may not have them. One of my clients could not order them, they no longer sold them. They were able to purchase a set made by someone else offline. I would advise that if you did have to purchase from another source, scan them first 🙂

          Best of Luck!

    • #2946686

      HP, Dell, etc provide rebuild discs for a reason

      by deadly ernest ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      that reason being they often have critical information and drivers on a hidden partition of the hard drive or they have special hardware for which the drivers aren’t generally available and the build needs that specific configuration and drivers on the rebuild disc. General MS Windows discs often do not work on HP, Dells, etc. unless you remove all partitions before you repartition and reformat the drive – all partitions. If any data is on the system, us a Linux live CD live Knoppix or Small Linux or any Linux system to get access and copy the data off before you do anything.

    • #2946637

      You might need to do a complete format for this to work….

      by peconet tietokoneet ·

      In reply to I need help!!! =[

      So click on here and download Killdisk:
      http://www.killdisk.com/
      This will take upto four hours to do a full format of your drive. After it has finished, load on your disk, if you still having problems then try another CD/DVD drive to run it from, get an External one, these are pretty good and cheap.

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