As this is my first post, let me start by saying hello to everyone - you have a great reputation.

My problem is that my computer started behaving badly, not installing Windows updates, screen freezing, Run Time error etc. It was recommended that I reinstall XP. I have a new Seagate 160gb external HD, so I loaded it with all the important stuff, detached it, then started to instal XP. Half way through the instal, it stopped loading and was just looping the messages (this was at 34 minutes to go - drivers).

I closed down then restarted, and this time it installed without any problem. It was only after I had attached the external HD and had synced it to the donor, and had restarted a couple of times after reloading programs, I noticed I was still experiencing the same problems. Then I realised that there were now 2 XP Pros loaded (presumably the first half of the fail, plus the reload). Obviously I must assume that the problems have now transfered to the external as well.

Now I need to start again, I think in the following order:

I. Attach external and format it (not sure how to do this).
2. Copy necessary folders/files to the external.
3. Check external for viruses.
4. Detach the external.
5. Reinstall from XP disc.
6. Attach external, synced to donor.
6. Start to reload programs again.

Am I doing anything I shouldn't do, or have I missed anything?

Welcome to D-A-L.

If you have your important data backed up (on the external disk, or elsewhere), then before you start from the begining again, segregate the operational O/S, set it as default, then boot into it, and delete the failed install. See if your problems are cleared up from this measure.

Post back with your results and any further questions.

Thank you for the very quick reply Dan. I have 2 questions ( I'm not very competent with computers):

a) when I boot into the bad XP - how do I uninstal it?

b) as I don't know which XP was being used when I started loading programs - how can I be sure the external hasn't already imported the problems?

When you start the machine, do you get a Startup Menu asking which XP Pro you wish to boot into?

Yes - top is bad lower is good

I could really do with some help here.

Boot into the "good" version.

Right click on My Computer, Properties, Advanced. Under Startup and Recovery click the Settings button. Under System startup click the Edit button. Copy and paste the contents of the boot.ini file into your next post. Close the boot.ini file without any changes at this point.

see below:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

Yes - top is bad lower is good

You have two installs on the same hard disk, in different partitions. (ie; C and D? as an example.)

It appears that the current default boot is the "bad". (Based upon top/bottom choices.)

Is this correct? (If you let it boot without choosing, you go into the bad?)

===================================
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Micro soft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
===================================

To further segregate and ensure good from bad, you can change the name of the two choices by adding a numeric character to the three lines;

default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOW S2
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS2="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS1="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect


If the above is true, you can set it to automatically go into the good (partition(1)) by editing the default line;

FROM:
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS2

TO:
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS1

If you wish to preclude the 30 second wait and/or hitting ENTER to continue the boot;
Right click on My Computer. Choose Properties, Advanced Tab. Under Startup and Recovery, click the Settings button.

Under System startup, remove the check mark from the box for; "Time to display list of operating systems:".


The following presupposes that you have Administrator rights when you boot into Windows.


Once you're booting into the good, you'll have to check the USER directories (folders) in the bad install for anything (data) you want to keep. (Programs, since they write to the registry, must be reinstalled.)

Check in C:\Documents and Settings\%YOUR-USER-NAME%\My Documents. Hopefully, the USER names are different from the D:\Documents and Settings directories. If not, then you'll have to ensure you're in the correct installation by looking at the partition letter (C or D). (ie; When you click on My Documents, and My Computer opens into that directory, check the drive letter in the address bar.)

Lets get this sorted to this point before we go any further.

OK - good XP automatically boots up. There is nothing I want to save from the bad XP.

User name for good is MIK, for bad "Unknown user".

I am the Administrator and there is no other user name.

As I can't do any work (because I can't save it to the external) and my internet speed is almost zero, often zero in fact, please help me to a speedy conclusion. Your assistance to date is much appreciated.