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help! Serious problem loading windows

I don't have another working PC here

also I ran a few different antivirus checks and kaspersky found loads of stuff that all the others missed and TBH I'm not sure how many of them are really viruses

The problem might be nothing to do with a virus, although the problem with the keys is one I've had before when I had a virus
 
Odds are it's the windows files that are messed up, that's fairly common. To fix that you NEED a windows XP disc, no other way around it really. I'd try to borrow an XP cd (illegal, legal, whatever) from another urb or anyone who's got a blank cd and a bit torrent client.

If it's a virus (unlikely but possible) then that's unusual, to fix that you need to boot to windows or do an end run by booting from another OS that hasn't had viruses get their fingers into it.
 
Horribly unhelpful, I know, but the best advice I can give.

Longer term, it would probably be a Good Idea to get yourself a liveCD and practice with it a little. Should windows ever get its knickers in a twist again you'll still be able to boot off the liveCD and use your kit (even to read your windows files!)

Those nice people at Ubuntu's Shippit will even post you a liveCD for nothing. Or they can be bought very cheaply from somewhere like linux emporium (you'll want the version described as Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Live/Install CD).

Having a liveCD handy can be a real show saver to keep you going on those occasions when windows croaks!
 
so should I not reboot from disk as suggested earlier?

I just don't know how to do this

I didn't think it would be too complicated, just pressing f something and then taking things from there

thanks for the link garf, not being ungrateful and I'll follow it if I have to

:)
 
Louloubelle said:
so should I not reboot from disk as suggested earlier?

I just don't know how to do this

I didn't think it would be too complicated, just pressing f something and then taking things from there

thanks for the link garf, not being ungrateful and I'll follow it if I have to

:)
Click to expand...

basically what this does is reset your pc to day zero again but keeps your files settings and most of your programs should still work (some reinstalling of programs maybe necessary avg for example hates repair installs).

drivers like sound card graphics adaptors chipsets and lan connections will all need to be reinstalled.

this is in essence a step beyond pressing f8 and doing a last know good configureation reset.
 
Louloubelle said:
so should I not reboot from disk as suggested earlier?

I just don't know how to do this

I didn't think it would be too complicated, just pressing f something and then taking things from there

thanks for the link garf, not being ungrateful and I'll follow it if I have to

:)
Click to expand...

Reboot your pc and go into your bios, which can be done by pressing the delete key (next to 'end') or F8 or F9 and then go to CMOS settings and change the boot order to put your cd drive first. Then put the cd in the drive, save the settings and it will reboot.

As it's booting it will say press any key to boot from cd, press a key and then wait for it to get to the screen where it asks if you want to repair the installation using the recovery console or install a new version of windows. Choose install new version.

It will then search for old versions of XP and when it finds yours it will ask if you want to repair it by pressing R. If you press R it will delete all XP files, whilst keeping everything on your pc exactly as it is. You WILL need to input the serial number for your copy of XP so make sure you have that. It will take you through a setup process and at the end you will have your pc back in a state from which you can work with it again.

I suggest that whatever it was that you last installed is either downloaded again and reinstalled or just don't bother.
 
Bob Marleys Dad said:
Reboot your pc and go into your bios, which can be done by pressing the delete key (next to 'end') or F8 or F9 and then go to CMOS settings and change the boot order to put your cd drive first. Then put the cd in the drive, save the settings and it will reboot.

As it's booting it will say press any key to boot from cd, press a key and then wait for it to get to the screen where it asks if you want to repair the installation using the recovery console or install a new version of windows. Choose install new version.

It will then search for old versions of XP and when it finds yours it will ask if you want to repair it by pressing R. If you press R it will delete all XP files, whilst keeping everything on your pc exactly as it is. You WILL need to input the serial number for your copy of XP so make sure you have that. It will take you through a setup process and at the end you will have your pc back in a state from which you can work with it again.

I suggest that whatever it was that you last installed is either downloaded again and reinstalled or just don't bother.
Click to expand...

arghh!

nooooo!

I can't find the wrapper for the xp disk
it had the serial number in it and I'm worried that I've thrown it away by accident
Is there no way to get the serial number from the disk itself?

I'm so stressed as I'm trying to do too many things anyway and I know that I do silly things when I'm stressed, I can't believe I've done this

*slaps self* :(
 
Have another read of BtL's advice above -- he's anticipated that the original installation media might not be available, as this is often the case.

Apart from sheer frustration, why are you stressed? I mean, what do you need from the 'puter? iyswim
 
Louloubelle said:
arghh!

nooooo!

I can't find the wrapper for the xp disk
it had the serial number in it and I'm worried that I've thrown it away by accident
Is there no way to get the serial number from the disk itself?

I'm so stressed as I'm trying to do too many things anyway and I know that I do silly things when I'm stressed, I can't believe I've done this

*slaps self* :(
Click to expand...

You shouldn't need the serial number to do a repair install, but for future reference, try the wonderfully named Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder which you can download here:

http://sourceforge.net/project/downloading.php?groupname=keyfinder&filename=keyfinder.2.0.1.zip

^ just unzip and run keyfinder.exe, then write down the code :cool:

I assume this will work in safe mode.
 
thanks so much

any idea how I can back up my outlook and outlook express files as i can't access hem in safe mode

I'm pretty sure that most of my other data is backed up as I back them up regularly
 
thanks wreckhead :)

I found out the serial number of the version of xp that is on my computer but not the one that is on the new disk

is that OK?

will it want to original number or the one on the cd?
 
STOP

if you don't have the serial then you will have problems.

1. the serial you have on your machine now is specific to the version of XP installed on your machine if this isn't the version you've got on your disk it will not accept it even though it's a vaild windows serial.

2. You will always have to re-input the serial in a repair install. Either during the install itself (sp1 and below) or during as part of the re-verification process (sp2 and corp/Volume Licence).
 
Louloubelle said:
thanks so much

any idea how I can back up my outlook and outlook express files as i can't access hem in safe mode

I'm pretty sure that most of my other data is backed up as I back them up regularly
Click to expand...

It may be a bit of a complex procedure to do this in Outlook Express but take a look at this site: http://www.insideoe.com/backup/. I'm not so sure about Outlook, but you could try opening it in safe mode by holding down Ctrl when you run it.

It's likely that all of the Outlook/Outlook Express data will still be OK after a repair install, but if you don't back up you run the risk of losing it all.
 
If the serial on the disk is different to the one on your machine (detected by the magic bean app) then the serial on the machine is the one you need to use whenever you install XP on that machine. You can use any disk as long as it's the same version (Professional / Home / Media Centre Edition). The serial is tied to the machine not the disk.
 
How do I find out which version it is on my machine and on the disk?

they may in fact be the same version but I'm not 100% sure

apologies for all the questions :o

eta

according to magic bean (what a wonderful name for a software program) the windows on the PC is XP home edition

the DVD says This software is already installed on your computer" Reinstallation DVD Microsoft windows XP media centre version 2005 with update rollup 2
 
If you right-click My Computer and select Properties, it should say under System:

Microsoft Windows XP
Home (or Professional)

Written on the disk should be the same thing (i.e. they both should be Home most likely).

Unfortunately another thing to consider is whether the disk is "retail" (off the shelf) or "OEM" (came with a PC). If the version of XP on your machine is the one that came with the PC, I think you need an OEM disk. You can tell the difference because the CD will be plain shiny silver if it's OEM, and all nice and colourful if it's retail. Someone else may be able to correct me as to whether this is important, but I think it is. :(

Apologies that they make this so complicated. Ironically it's much easier with a pirated version. ;)
 
Louloubelle said:
the DVD says This software is already installed on your computer" Reinstallation DVD Microsoft windows XP media centre version 2005 with update rollup 2
Click to expand...

Sorry to say you're back to square one, you can't use that disk to repair. :(

If Windows came installed on your PC then you need a Windows XP Home OEM CD. Any one will do, even one burned off the net. Someone more daring may help you "acquire" one.
 
I think that the DVD is the one that came with the PC

a couple of years ago my PC got sick and a friend who had upgraded gave me his old one with windows on it

I think (not 100% sure) that this is the DVD that came with the original PC, so it's not retail it says on it that it is only for distribution with a new PC

It also says "the DVD is not for reinstallation of programs or drivers"
 
wreckhead said:
Sorry to say you're back to square one, you can't use that disk to repair. :(

If Windows came installed on your PC then you need a Windows XP Home OEM CD. Any one will do, even one burned off the net. Someone more daring may help you "acquire" one.
Click to expand...

I don't like using pirated software, but for these purposes I'd make an exception

out of interest why would a cracked version work where a legit version would not?
 
I'm pretty sure you can't use a Media Centre DVD to repair your current XP Home install. 99.9% certain, but someone may be along to correct me.
 
Louloubelle said:
I don't like using pirated software, but for these purposes I'd make an exception

out of interest why would a cracked version work where a legit version would not?
Click to expand...
Well in your case it wouldn't make a difference as you have a legit version which you need to repair. The "benefit" of a dodgy version is that you don't have to worry about activation so you can change the key to your heart's content. The downside is you won't get all the Windows Updates and you run the risk of being locked out if Microsoft get wind of it when it "phones home".

For the record I use a legit version :hmm:
 
A friend is coming round with a laptop at 10.30 - 11 ish this morning

I'm not at all techie and would really appreciate it if anyone could link to anything or give some advice on how I can reboot using her laptop

People mentioned doing this earlier in the thread but I was unsure of exactly how to do it

Thanks so much

:)
 
anyone?

I'm getting really stressed about this as I have some massively important deadlines on Thursday

*bites nails and tears at hair*
 
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