tried to install clean new XP on sisters laptop - have mucked everything up

[millym]

Hi

my sisters laptop was a bit glitchy so in my wisdom i thought id try to help and install a completely new XP home version. It is an acer aspire, i seem to have ended up after all my fiddling with the acer instal still there and 2 XP home versions on the hardrive. When you turn the computer on you are asked to choose which version to use ie: XP home, XP home or Xp media centre ( i presume is the original installation on the pc) when i try to use the original version i get an error message " windows couldnt start because file is missing or corrupt: <windowsroot>\system32\hal.dll". When i look at My Computer on the pc i can see C: ACER, D:ACERDATA and then the new XP installation. If when booting up i use one of the new XP instals ( that ive obviously done) no modem whatsoever is detected. How can I get rid of my botched new instals of XP and return this computer to how it was before. The way it is now the whole computer harddrive is full of my new installations & i cant get the original to run ( the error message ive detailed above) And also can t find a modem or get it to connect to wifi.When i installed the new XP ( 2 attempts) on one of them i think i created a new partition or something...........Please help in simple terms, I think i fiddled way beyond my knowledge( stupid i know) id like to try & get my lond suffering sisters computer back to what it was- ie: worked if a bit glitchy but with internet/wifi easily conecatable and a harddrive that doesnt have multiple operating choices with all the discs practiaclly full.

Thanks

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

It sounds as if you have created another partition and installed XP onto that.

 

If I were you I would format the drive and start over.

 

Before you do this you will need to copy anything that is needed by way of files - photos etc onto an external drive or DVD.

Take a look here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html

You need to look at number 13 onwards.

 

You will need to check that the CDROM is the first boot device in the BIOS.

If you need help with this just shout :)

 

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XP does not have too many drivers - you will need to locate drivers for video cards - network interface cards etc.

We can help with this.

 

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[millym]

Hi & thank you, - the ehow guide was very good but im not sure what you mean by checking the CD drive is the first boot drive in the bios means ( sorry im sure this makes you wonder what on earth i was doing in the 1st place!!! - i had installed xp on my old laptop with no dramas in the past) Can you explain a bit more? Also do i need to delete the other partitions i seem to have created on the harddrive or will this happen once i follow the ehow guide.

thanks again

[RandyL]

i thought id try to help and install a completely new XP home version. It is an acer aspire

Did you use the Acer e-recovery media?

 

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/0000/Acer/AspireE360/AspireE360faq67.shtml

 

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/desktop/0000/acer/aspiree360/aspiree360faq40.shtml

[KenB]

Thanks Randy ............I was assuming that there was a full installation disk.

 

I assume that you DO have a CD which is a full installation version of XP ?

I don't think a recovery disk would give you the option of creating a new partition.

 

If you have a disk - what does it say on it ?

[danzil]

Hi

D:\acerdata is the partition that holds the image to re-install windows to Acer factory default,,, usually you will be prompted to press a key on startup to acces the recovery, or you would have a Acer recovery Disc.

when you say you have 2 xp home installs can you remember formatting the drive etc. can you see your old data on the root of the hard drive.

you maybe able to edit the boot.ini and set the original install as active, back this file up first. then locate your newly install xp and remove the file. with out more information it is hard to say the best method.

i would suggest backing up all data on that drive, if you have access to another machine you can attach the drive using a caddy or direct depending on type of drive and PC, back up all data then do a full factory restore, then reinstate your data.

this will mean you will have to reinstall all your applications.

[millym]

Thanks very much - i havent tried the acer recovery sites will get stuck into a mega attempt when i have time

The xp disc i have is a genuine one that we bought.

Thanks again - maybe i CAN do this without a visit to pc world( with your help!!)

[KenB]

maybe i CAN do this without a visit to pc world

That should be the very last resort !!!!!

Stick with us - I am sure, together, we will be able to sort your installation problem :)

[millym]

Hi thanks again, Havent sat down & had a good go yet - work has got in the way of my life as usual!!!but my next run of days off i will be trying everything suggested.

[millym]

hi again, after many weeks of effort have managed to get clean install of xp, drivers for almost everything- wifi,video codecs etc but now cant get sound to work- aaaaaaaargh! can anyone help me again please?? Cant seem to find what i need on the acer support page - or maybe im not ooking in the right pace.

thanks

[KenB]

Which Acer machine do you have?

(Aspire 5735 for example)