mgb41238

I had a test installation of Ubuntu 14.04 on the same hard-drive as Win XP. __ Win XP had too many programs. So, I deleted all the partitions - including MBR. Now the hard-drive had nothing on it. I have a couple of rescue programs running on LessLinux and Ubuntu started from a USB flash drive. I managed to create NTFS and ext2 partitions on the hard-drive, thinking this would cater for each OS. As generally advised, I then started the XP installation from a CD. But I had an error message stating that no hard-drive could be found . As a test, I attempted an Ubuntu installation, which resulted in the messages: "No root file system is defined." "Correct from partitioning menu." What is expected to be done in the partitioning menu? Supposedly, I need to get MBR and Grub2 on to the hard-drive. But how? I looked at the terminal command, but found nothing to comprehend there. What have I missed? Complete frustration! I have a Seagate 120 GB hard-drive in a HP Notebook with ample USB slots and an optical disk-drive.

Thank you for your rapid replies. MS think they rule the roost - and still do so. As you point out, MS owns the title, copyright, and other intellectual property rights in the Software. The Software is licensed, not sold. I vaguely recall that there was an upsurge against this situation - at the EU parliament (where they are again rolling out the guns against its IE) also want to ensure that the person with the Wuindows SW is ALSO the owner. Many a person wants to sell his used SW when he purchases a newer version. This should be his right.

Having installed Windows XP Home and re-started it, a dialogue window appears stating that the new installatiion must be ACTIVATED, and this within 30 days. Only trouble was that one has no means of doing so - rather not allowed to do so, as the number of activations has been has been reached. Firstly, I'm annoyed that this is even demanded: the Windows XP Home has been purchased and is not MS's property. Secondly, each new day brings the same window - but with one day less. Presumably, one day will see the PC no longer starting....? How can one get round this high-nuisance dialogue?

My mother has Windows XP Home (using it solely for eMails). Having got a broadband connection, I set about creating a user account with minimal rights, i.e. NO ADMINISTRATOR. The obvious aim being to minimise any attacks from the internet. I wanted the PC to start straight into XP Home with her account (no password) - the least bother for my mother, the better. Now I have Windows XP Professional, and have always been used to seeing an ADMINSTRATOR account being generated automatically during a new installation. This account name never appears on the logon screen - very useful for keeping what the 'normal' users can do to a minimum. I know that chap is there, they don't. I expected similar to happen when installing XP Home. But no ADMINSTRATOR account was generated, which I find most unusual. I feel sure that a simple tweak in the Registry would make the Home work just like the Professional - and there'll be a hidden ADMINISTRATOR on the Home PC. (One can never be without this latter account, as many a program demands full rights for installing/updating.) I would very happy if somebody could save me from going mad.....

My mother has Windows XP Home (using it solely for eMails). Having got a broadband connection, I set about creating a user account with minimal rights, i.e. NO ADMINISTRATOR. The obvious aim being to minimise any attacks from the internet. I wanted the PC to start straight into XP Home with her account (no password) - the least bother for my mother, the better. Now I have Windows XP Professional, and have always been used to seeing an ADMINSTRATOR account being generated automatically during a new installation. This account name never appears on the logon screen - very useful for keeping what the 'normal' users can do to a minimum. I know that chap is there, they don't. I expected similar to happen when installing XP Home. But no ADMINSTRATOR account was generated, which I find most unusual. I feel sure that a simple tweak in the Registry would make the Home work just like the Professional - and there'll be a hidden ADMINISTRATOR on the Home PC. (One can never be without this latter account, as many a program demands full rights for installing/updating.) I would very happy if somebody could save me from going mad.....