Reinstalling Windows XP - RAGE!

[Carnage95]

Alright, let's get straight to it shall we?

Yesterday, I went over to my friend's house to fix his computer. Little did I know, his father went to his friend and had his entire computer re-formatted to Windows XP. However it was in Chinese. Despite being one, my knowledge of the language has downgraded a lot over the years. But I managed to go over to Control Panel and click on Regional and Language, I tried to change it back to English, but all I get is some window in Chinese with a exclamation mark.

So the only way to resolve this, I thought, was to re-install WinXP all over again but in English this time. I headed back home and grabbed a old copy of Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3. I inserted the CD and rebooted the computer. I did everything followed on here:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxphome/sp2sp3installxpcdoldhdd/index.htm

However, since this was all new to me, I forgot to delete the C: partition. The setup formatted and the next day I had to do it all over again because the screen displayed that it might be damaged? (Sorry, I have terrible memory.)

So today, I came over to his house again, and started the whole thing again. However, this time I remembered to delete the C: partition and let them thing format itself.

Just a couple of minutes ago, my friend called and said the the format was complete. Unfortunately, the computer displayed that the disk was damaged and now I'm at a complete lost. I told my friend to exit the setup, take out the disk and turn off the computer, while I figure out what to do.

So what do I do? Get a new disk? I have an extra one but it is Windows Vista and I don't want that. Moreover, I get the feeling my friend's father will be quite mad at me. If not, I will then have to re-install Windows Vista. Also, can someone tell me if I do try this with Vista, can I do a quick format instead? Cause, the full format is taking almost half a day.

This is really making me very mad, and talking to his father is quite difficult since he only speaks Chinese.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Upgrade to Windows 7. Or use the Vista disc. But since you don't seem to want Vista, you're probably against 7, too...

So, buy a new XP disc, if you're that attached to the OS.

 

[Antari]

Removing partitions can allow bad sectors to be reached if the drive is old enough and has them. Its a cheap 50 dollar fix for a new hard drive. That'd be my recommendation.

 

[Gxas]

I'm gonna recommend getting away from XP, seeing as Microsoft is now beginning to cut support for it. Windows 7 is the way to go now.

 

[CCountZero]

Upgrade to Windows 7. Or use the Vista disc. But since you don't seem to want Vista, you're probably against 7, too...

So, buy a new XP disc, if you're that attached to the OS.

I haven't personally experienced anything but joy from Windows Vista, but it's common knowledge that it had and still has its share of problems.

Depending on the age of the PC, upgrading to Vista could severely hamper it, and 7, while not as bad as Vista, might be too RAM-heavy as well.

Far as I can see, the only way to get XP on it is to grab a new disc.

Personally, I wouldn't skimp out on formatting when doing a fresh OS install.

 

[Carnage95]

Upgrade to Windows 7. Or use the Vista disc. But since you don't seem to want Vista, you're probably against 7, too...

So, buy a new XP disc, if you're that attached to the OS.

I like Windows 7, my computer is using it. However, to buy a new disk? I am definitely not going to buy a new one, since it's my friend's computer. I doubt his father is willingly to spend the money to buy a new one, he isn't very tech savvy. Moreover, even if I wanted to get a new disk for my friend, I won't be able to.

I guess I have to use the Vista disk. I've heard lots of negativity about it like being slow.

 

[BENZOOKA]

There's not a single reason to install Vista, when you can get Windows Se7en.

You're not making any sense though...

You always need to format the partition you're putting a new OS in. And if it says it's damaged, then throw a bird with it. But you couldn't have damaged it with formatting. You went to fix it in the first place? So it could be that the disk was damaged already, causing problems.

You can use the disk that has Vista. It doesn't matter if it has every OS ever known to man on 200 different partitions. It doesn't matter what's in there, as you'll format it anyways.

 

[darth.pixie]

Considering you didn't mention the error, I don't have much advice.

The disk damaged thing can also come due to a reading error. I would recommend re-installing, remaking all the partitions this time and using quick-format.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Removing partitions can allow bad sectors to be reached if the drive is old enough and has them. Its a cheap 50 dollar fix for a new hard drive. That'd be my recommendation.

How's that going to run you 50 dollars? You can remove and make partitions however you want anyways. Even then it's a long-shot.

50 dollars will get you a new disk. If not 1 TB, then at least close.

They're consumables anyways.

 

[Carnage95]

I apologize if I'm not making any sense. It's 12:04 AM here and I'm really exhausted. Hell, I will admit that I pretty much confused too.

Can someone give me clear steps on what to do? Sorry.

 

[darth.pixie]

Did it give an error code? Is so, post it.

Errors can come from bad copying of files. Those can be mostly ignored as long as you put the file in place before installing drivers. Format again (the site is good) as long as you delete ALL partitions, make new ones for all the memory, then format with NTFS (quick)

Edit: Oh, how big is the hard?

 

[sooperman]

My advice: replace it. [http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iMac-MC508LL-21-5-Inch-Desktop/dp/B002QQ8IO6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298909159&sr=8-1] If you are really attached to XP, partition the hard drive and run it alongside OSX.

Short of a new computer, though, I suggest a new XP install disk. This same thing happened to me a few months back, got a new desktop running 7, but it was in French. So we bought a new XP disk. :/

Sorry I can't be of more help, but your options are limited here.

There's not a single reason to install Vista, when you can get Windows Se7en.

A new copy of 7 costs about $150. I'd say that counts as a reason.

 

[Carnage95]

Did it give an error code? Is so, post it.

Errors can come from bad copying of files. Those can be mostly ignored as long as you put the file in place before installing drivers. Format again (the site is good) as long as you delete ALL partitions, make new ones for all the memory, then format with NTFS (quick)

I'm sure it did give an error code during the first run, unfortunately my memory is shit, but if I recall right it said something of XP has already been installed or something and that if it continues (this happened when "Setup is formatting" was complete) it might damage the computer.

I would like to add that before this all happened, my friend's computer OS was Vista. Till something happened and the computer kept crashing during random periods of time. I assumed it was malware but I don't know.

So my Windows XP disk is probably spoilt. There were also three partitions, C: , H: (recovery) , and F:

Let me make this clear, I will have to delete all three partitions, and format all three with NTFS (quick). Right?

 

[BENZOOKA]

My advice: replace it. [http://www.amazon.com/Apple-iMac-MC508LL-21-5-Inch-Desktop/dp/B002QQ8IO6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298909159&sr=8-1] If you are really attached to XP, partition the hard drive and run it alongside OSX.

Short of a new computer, though, I suggest a new XP install disk. This same thing happened to me a few months back, got a new desktop running 7, but it was in French. So we bought a new XP disk. :/

Sorry I can't be of more help, but your options are limited here.

There's not a single reason to install Vista, when you can get Windows Se7en.

A new copy of 7 costs about $150. I'd say that counts as a reason.

Everyone has a Vista, so it's free.

Good logic there.

 

[darth.pixie]

Did it give an error code? Is so, post it.

Errors can come from bad copying of files. Those can be mostly ignored as long as you put the file in place before installing drivers. Format again (the site is good) as long as you delete ALL partitions, make new ones for all the memory, then format with NTFS (quick)

I'm sure it did give an error code during the first run, unfortunately my memory is shit, but if I recall right it said something of XP has already been installed or something and that if it continues (this happened when "Setup is formatting" was complete) it might damage the computer.

I would like to add that before this all happened, my friend's computer OS was Vista. Till something happened and the computer kept crashing during random periods of time. I assumed it was malware but I don't know.

So my Windows XP disk is probably spoilt. There were also three partitions, C: , H: (recovery) , and F:

Let me make this clear, I will have to delete all three partitions, and format all three with NTFS (quick). Right?

What is the size of the hard? (it matters)

Yes, delete all three. If there is something no one wants to lose, you can just format the C:/ but I prefer deleting them all and installing everything again. It's usually smoother.

Then install with quick NTFS on C. If it gives an error, post it.

 

[BENZOOKA]

Did it give an error code? Is so, post it.

Errors can come from bad copying of files. Those can be mostly ignored as long as you put the file in place before installing drivers. Format again (the site is good) as long as you delete ALL partitions, make new ones for all the memory, then format with NTFS (quick)

I'm sure it did give an error code during the first run, unfortunately my memory is shit, but if I recall right it said something of XP has already been installed or something and that if it continues (this happened when "Setup is formatting" was complete) it might damage the computer.

I would like to add that before this all happened, my friend's computer OS was Vista. Till something happened and the computer kept crashing during random periods of time. I assumed it was malware but I don't know.

So my Windows XP disk is probably spoilt. There were also three partitions, C: , H: (recovery) , and F:

Let me make this clear, I will have to delete all three partitions, and format all three with NTFS (quick). Right?

Just a quick meddling. You can't do any physical damage to the components, if you don't do anything physical to them. Misuse of electricity and static also count as such.

Delete all partitions, but always do full format: NTFS. Not the quick one.

 

[darth.pixie]

Just a quick meddling. You can't do any physical damage to the components, if you don't do anything physical to them. Misuse of electricity and static also count as such.

Delete all partitions, but always do full format: NTFS. Not the quick one.

I only met the damage thing when someone installed 2 windows on the same partition, but you're right.

And quick NTFS is useful because he already formatted before. The normal NTFS is when he does a fresh format. NTFS is advised for fresh drives while NTFS Quick is advised for recently formatted drives.

 

[Carnage95]

Just a quick meddling. You can't do any physical damage to the components, if you don't do anything physical to them. Misuse of electricity and static also count as such.

Delete all partitions, but always do full format: NTFS. Not the quick one.

I only met the damage thing when someone installed 2 windows on the same partition, but you're right.

And quick NTFS is useful because he already formatted before. The normal NTFS is when he does a fresh format. NTFS is advised for fresh drives while NTFS Quick is advised for recently formatted drives.

I see. I was wondering what was the difference between the full format NTFS and the quick one.

But let's say that once I done all this and it comes up with the disk damage error again. Then I'll have to resort to Vista, correct?

PS. I'm trying to find the computer model, it is a DELL desktop. I assume that the hard drive is 320GB. Now that I think about it... I think it is 320GB.

 

[darth.pixie]

Depends on the error really. As I said, if it's a file that won't copy you can insert it manually and it will work fine. 7 is better than Vista but it's your choice.

And if you find the whole computer design, cpu/ram, whatever and post it I could just say if Vista would work better or not. On some more advanced computers, XP works as well as Vista would on Pentium 4.

 

[Carnage95]

Alright after some searching on Google, I've managed to find the computer model here [http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-inspiron-531s/4507-3118_7-32486102.html?tag=mncolBtm;rnav].

I was checking how to reinstall Vista at WindowsReinstall [http://vistahomebasic.windowsreinstall.com/reinstallvista/index.htm], there's a step I'm quite confused about the available space and size in part 2. Can someone explain that to me?