Another problem installing windows xp

[ibiza chick]

I'm back with another xp problem...here is what happened.

I was having problems with sp2 so i uninstalled it in add/remove programs this is where i had huge problems i turned my pc back on after uninstalling sp2, my pc did load but only the wallpaper on my screen loaded no icons or task bar nothing so i left my pc running for a while see if it would load the desktop but it didn't.

Anyway after rebooting my pc several times i decided the only way to get my pc to work was to re-install windows so that is what i did i got my pc to work by doing that, but when i came to my pc this morning every time i booted up my pc would get to the windows xp screen then turn itself off this was happening loads:mad:

So i put in my dodgy copy of windows xp home and installed that and now my pc is working fine the only prob with xp home is that i only have 30 days activation.

Can anyone help me what i really want is my legit xp pro back on my pc :confused:

[Paul Komski]

So i put in my dodgy copy of windows xp home and installed that and now my pc is working fine the only prob with xp home is that i only have 30 days activation.Why is that a problem? Even if you used the OEM product key on the side of the PC you should be able to activate it as long as that product key relates to that PC and that PC only and as long as you used the right edition (eg home) of windows from any installation CD.

You will probably have to phone MS (toll free) and activate that way. I advise you to speak to a rep and to not do everythng by typing numbers into the phone pad. I have known the total automation route of activation fail but had success when speaking to a real person.

[ibiza chick]

Why is that a problem? Even if you used the OEM product key on the side of the PC you should be able to activate it as long as that product key relates to that PC and that PC only and as long as you used the right edition (eg home) of windows from any installation CD.

You will probably have to phone MS (toll free) and activate that way. I advise you to speak to a rep and to not do everythng by typing numbers into the phone pad. I have known the total automation route of activation fail but had success when speaking to a real person.

I explained it all wrong i sent you a PM earlier asking you to delete this thread so as i can re-write it.

[ibiza chick]

This is what i meant to write :rolleyes:

Having problems with sp2 so i uninstalled it in add/remove programs this is where i had huge problems i turned my pc back on after uninstalling sp2, my pc did load but only the wallpaper on my screen loaded no icons or task bar nothing so i left my pc running for a while see if it would load the desktop but it didn't.

Anyway after rebooting my pc several times i decided the only way to get my pc to work was to re-install windows xp pro so that is what i did and i got my pc to work.

Anyway i came to my pc this morning and when i booted it up it kept turning itself off :confused: so i put in the legit windows xp pro cd and i got this message saying can't read the cd this might not be a windows cd :confused:

So i put a dodgy copy of xp home in and that loaded and installed fine :confused:

So why can't i get my legit copy of xp pro to install???

[Paul Komski]

Cant delete a first post without it deleting the thread as a whole and you had double posted inititially so it was assumed that is what you were referring to.

So why can't i get my legit copy of xp pro to install?Perhaps it is corrupt or scratched etc. What is the exact message verbatim? Are you trying to clean install or parallel install or repair install and are you attempting this from within windows or by booting to the CD?

What PC is it - was it a Dell from Memory? You could include your specs in your profile to save having to keep re-entering them.

So i put a dodgy copy of xp home
So why can't i get my legit copy of xp pro

Home and Pro mismatch maybe? Were you trying to repair thing with the incorrect edition.

[ibiza chick]

Cant delete a first post without it deleting the thread as a whole and you had double posted inititially so it was assumed that is what you were referring to.

Perhaps it is corrupt or scratched etc. What is the exact message verbatim? Are you trying to clean install or parallel install or repair install and are you attempting this from within windows or by booting to the CD?

What PC is it - was it a Dell from Memory? You could include your specs in your profile to save having to keep re-entering them.



Home and Pro mismatch maybe? Were you trying to repair thing with the incorrect edition.

I was booting from cd, with the legit copy of pro at first not sure what make of pc it is...how would i find that out it doesn't say it on the pc anywhere :confused: i bought the pc from a friend of a friend it had a dodgy copy of xp pro on it they also gave me a dodgy copy of home on cd.

I was trying to re-install my legit copy of pro as i could not get my pc to work after uninstalling SP2.

Hope i have explained that ok :)

[Paul Komski]

The most important thing from an activation etc point of view is that you use a valid product key. If you cant boot to the legit installation CD then it must either be bad in itself or be balking because of what is already on the PC.

I would be inclined to backup and wipe the hard drive and then try and boot to your legit CD. If that doesnt work you could borrow a legit CD of the same edition and use it but use your own product key.

I was wondering about the make of pc because if it was one of the big OEMs you might have been able to get a replacement installation CD or restoration CD. If its an I built it then it doesn't really matter.

[ibiza chick]

The most important thing from an activation etc point of view is that you use a valid product key. If you cant boot to the legit installation CD then it must either be bad in itself or be balking because of what is already on the PC.

I would be inclined to backup and wipe the hard drive and then try and boot to your legit CD. If that doesnt work you could borrow a legit CD of the same edition and use it but use your own product key.

I was wondering about the make of pc because if it was one of the big OEMs you might have been able to get a replacement installation CD or restoration CD. If its an I built it then it doesn't really matter.

I will wipe the hard drive and try install the legit copy that i have a key for, i think the person who used to have the pc built it them self.

I have installed my legit cd before no problems i don't understand why it won't install now :confused:

Anyway i'm gonna go back up my drive then wipe it and do a clean install with my legit copy, wish me luck...i will report back when/if i get back online :)

[ibiza chick]

Sorted my pc...got my genuine xp cd to install :)