Hey, I was trying to install uxtheme for my windows xp sp2. I didn't notice that the patcher i downloaded was for sp3. It still installed and it restarted my computer. When it restarted, it said invalid system disk, replace the disk, and press any key before it started windows. Instead i pressed f9 and booted it. It started windows and i logged in. I renamed the uxtheme.dll to uxtheme.dll.old and downloaded a uxtheme for sp2. It still goes to the invalid system disk error whenever i start windows. It's a hassle to do the f9 thing and I don't think this is good for my computer. Is there anything i can do to make windows start normally without using a disk to reinstall windows?

Hi samisemo

F9 is the key used to restore factory settings.
So when you press F9 you are reverting your PC back to its original state
When you first purchased your PC.
This is a intensive process using the hard drive and the processor to its maximum.
So your right when you say " I don't think this is good for my computer" especially every time you
Restart your PC.
What I'm finding curious is that the problem is recurring after the Factory Reset.
That is unless you are reinstalling uxtheme as soon as the PC starts.
So are you re-installing uxtheme as soon as the PC starts?
The second question is when the PC is restored are you preventing windows from going through
its update process and keeping it at its service pack 2 state.
Finally when the pc first starts after the reset and when you can go online.
Could you go to D_A_L's online hardware scan here Hardware Scan | D-A-L Computer Help
Do the scan and post the link at the top of the scan results page here

JIm

D-A-L Computer Hardware Scan Results

Computer System
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Model: HP 2133
Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2)
Version: 5.1.2600
Build Number: 2600
Install Date: 08/10/2008
Install Directory: C:\WINDOWS
Locale: English (en) - United States (US)
DirectX version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
Motherboard
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Model: 3030 (vKBC Version 07.17)
Bios
Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Model: 68VGU Ver. F.06
Release Date: 11/11/2008
Processors
VIA C7-M Processor 1200MHz (CentaurHauls)
Max clock speed: 1.20 GHz
Socket: CPU 1
Version: Model 13, Stepping 0
Memory
Total Current Physical Memory: 0.87 GB
Total Current Virtual Memory: 2.00 GB
Maximum Memory Capacity: 4.00 GB
Memory Devices:
Type: SDRAM* - Speed: MHz - Capacity: 1.00 GB
Video Devices
VIA Chrome9 HC IGP Family
Resolution: 1280 x 768
Colour Depth: 32 Bits
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
Sound Devices:
SoundMAX Integrated Digital HD Audio
Physical Disk Drives
ST9120817AS
Size: 111.79 GB
Number of Partitions: 1
Volumes
Logical Disks
C:
Disk Type: Local Fixed Disk
File System: NTFS
Capacity: 111.79 GB
Free Space: 99.36 GB
Page Files:
C:\pagefile.sys
Initial Size: 1.31 GB
Current Size: 1.31 GB
Maximum Size: 2.63 GB
File System: NTFS
Optical Drives
Printers
Network Adapters
Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet - Packet Scheduler Miniport
IP Address: 0.0.XXX.XXX
Default Gateway:
Subnet Mask:
Primary DNS:
Broadcom 802.11a/b/g WLAN - Packet Scheduler Miniport
IP Address: 42.240.XXX.XXX
Default Gateway: 42.240.220.97
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.252
Primary DNS: 10.1.7.249
Broadcom NetLink (TM) Gigabit Ethernet - Packet Scheduler Miniport
IP Address: 0.0.XXX.XXX
Default Gateway:
Subnet Mask:
Primary DNS:
Security Software
Anti-Virus
Firewall


okay. the startup stopped giving me this error report. However, im still concerned that there is something wrong

Originally Posted by samisemo

okay. the startup stopped giving me this error report. However, im still concerned that there is something wrong

Hi samisemo

I note you are still on Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Service Pack 2)

Is there some reason you are preventing it from updating to service pack 3 ?.

By not doing so you are missing many security updates.

You say "okay. the startup stopped giving me this error report. However, im still concerned that there is something wrong"

What is concerning you.
Could you give us some details about your concerns.

Jim

I'm not sure. nothing technical but just kinda in the back of my head.
Anyways. how can i update to sp3? Is this going to mess with the uxtheme thing and give me that error again?

Originally Posted by samisemo

I'm not sure. nothing technical but just kinda in the back of my head.
Anyways. how can i update to sp3? Is this going to mess with the uxtheme thing and give me that error again?

Hi

You did say at the being of this thread "I didn't notice that the patcher i downloaded was for sp3"
So if you decide to do all your updates. It will take a considerable amount of time.
You will need to unistall uxtheme until the updates are complete.
Then download the sp3 patcher for uxtheme and reinstall it.
The updates can be done in two ways.
1) turn on automatic updates by right clicking on My Computer and select
The Automatic Updates tab there you have 3 options . Select the one that best
suits you
2) You will need Internet Explore 6 or higher for this.
Open Internet Explorer and got to Microsoft Update
Once there. If you've never been there befor
You will need to go through the validation process. Just follow the prompts to do this.
When finished you will be returned to the update page were you have 2 options.
You can click on the Express button which will then download all the High Priority
updates for your PC
If you click on Custom this will give a list of all available updates for your PC and
you can select the one you wish to download and install.

JIm

hmm. very thorough explaination. But before i go through that. I would like to say i've been using sp2 for a long while without complaints. Is there any better/improved features in sp3 that makes sp2 look insignificant?