Hi,
I'm trying to re-install windows xp, after getting the blue screen. I've inserted the windows xp disk into the computer and then re-started the computer. By the way it's my friends desktop computer. Which is a Dell Dimension 2400. The machine appears to start the setup, but it gets to the point where it offers you three options; to setup windows xp now, press enter, to repair press R, to quite set up press f3. But the computer has frozen at this point and does nothing.
If there are any clever people out there that can assist please drop me a line.

Yours hopefully

Dave

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install (Just below the first bold red bar on the page.

Please read the entire page first though.) BEFORE running this, go to C:\WINDOWS\system32 and copy the;
wpa.bak wpa.dbl
files to a safe location. After the repair install, if asked to VALIDATE WINDOWS, try copying these two files BACK INTO the C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder and do a restart. (You may not have to revalidate Windows.)

Hi,
Thanks very much for your quick reply to my thread. I have to admit, I'm a complete novice here. My friend has asked me to format his HD, and he has no information on his PC which he needs to save.
I'm honestly, very grateful for your reply. But, I have to hold my hand up, and say that I don't understand it. I really need to be told....'push this button'/'type this word' and 'do that'. As my knowledge of computing is 'limited' to say the least.

Thank you once again my friend.


Yours Sincerely


Dave

This is your 5th thread on similar issues. As I mentioned in one of your other threads, please stick with one unless the problem is really different. Makes it hard to keep track of what is going on and who is helping you do what.

Hi,
So what do you want me to do? As I said I am a complete novice, and I really don't know what to do next.

Dave

Dave, what part of Dan's post don't you understand? Did you read the information at the link he provided?

If you don't want to do a Repair Install, but instead want to do a Clean Install which means formatting the hard drive during the Install Process, these are good tutorials for doing that:

Clean Install - Michael Stevens Tech
Clean Install - WinSuperSite

They are both very much step by step. If you are having problems understanding what is being described then perhaps it would be good to get someone who has more experience with computers to help?

Otherwise, read through them then come back and ask questions. At this point I think that's the best way to go.

And please, stick to this thread, don't start another.

Hi,
I apologies if my last response appeared slightly blunt. But, I've recently come out of hospital after spinal surgery. I'm sat here at home with not a lot to do, and I'm trying to do my friend a favour.
when I try do carry out these various reboots/installations etc. The computer just freezes up. It also appears that the keyboard malfunction i.e as soon as the computer powers up, the num lock light always defaults to the 'on' position. Also, at times I hit various keys.i.e.enter, or the function keys. Sometimes they work and at other times they do nothing, and the computer just locks up. And I'm left with no other alternative to power down the computer and restart the whole process again.


Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave, sorry to hear about the back surgery. I have a good friend who has recently gone through it and he said he would never do it again.

Numlock being on at boot time is normal, but the problems with various keys is not. Does the key problem occur only after XP is booted or does it happen while you are trying to reinstall XP?

The quickest thing to do is swap out the keyboard and see if the problem persists. If not, replace the keyboard.

At what point does the computer freeze when trying to do the reinstall?

One of the first things I do when this happens is open the computer case and remove everything except mouse, keyboard and video card (if it's a PCI and not integrated). Unplug any USB devices, remove all but one stick of memory (if there is more than one) then try the install again.

Are you booting the CD?

Hello,
It freezes during the set up process. It appears at first sight to be installing. It quotes there are about 39 minuts to go. And then it gives you the option to continue by pressing enter, or to repair by pressing 'r' and another option, which off the top of my head I can't remember. But, it's normally at this stage the computer/keyboard locks up. The mouse doesn't function either.

Regards

Dave

Have you tried removing everything not necessary as I mentioned, including memory, leave 1 stick in place. There are 3 areas that normally cause a system to lockup like you are seeing.

Hard drive is defective
CD/DVD drive is defective
Memory is defective (most likely)

One other possibility is to press F7 when you see the Press F6 prompt during install. This tells Windows that you are not an ACPI Uniprocessor machine, but a "Standard PC", which is sometimes the cause of weird hangs like this.