Reinstallation of Windows XP SP2

[Guest Tom _Hyde]

I have recently tried to use the Windows XP SP2 system disk in order to

reinstall Windows on my laptop.. The first time I used the telephone

assisted support method which required me to type in nine six-digit numbers

dictated over the telephone in order to authenticate my disk. I managed to

do that and the process insisted on a complete download and warned me that

after installation the first boot-up of Windows would take much longer than

normal. In fact, after two hours of looking at the black Windows XP

opening screen, carrying the message "Please wait...", I switched-off the

computer then switched it on again. The computer booted-up and I was able

to use it normally, except for IE6 and AVG Antivirus. I have used it in

that condition for several days but I always receive the message that there

are Windows Updates available for download but the computer is unable to

download them. Not only that, the hard disk continually clicked,

indicating that it was being read or written to.

 

This morning I decided to try a Repair/Reinstall of Windows but the program

did not offer the option and I followed the procedure for a complete

reinstall. This is continuing now and all of the downloads are

complete and the computer has re-booted. However, after waiting for

about 30 minutes I am still looking at a black screen carrying the message

"Please wait....."

 

Has anybody got any idea how long I should wait before the booting-up will

be complete, or should I close down the computer and re-start manually as I

did last time?

 

p.s. I am sending this message from my desktop.

 

T.Hyde

[Guest Tom _Hyde]

Re: Reinstallation of Windows XP SP2

 

As reported below, I have finally downloaded Windows XP from disk but it is

still faulty. I have compared the systems files between the faulty

computer (Dell Inspiron laptop) with a fully-working desktop (Dimension

4500) and there are considerable differences. For example, there is no

C:/I386 folder on the laptop and Internet Explorer does not work. Also

the automatic update which was required after the repair/reinstall of

Windows XP fails to download a large number of updates.

 

If/when I make any progress I will report back.

 

T.Hyde

 

"Tom _Hyde" <anonymous@discussion.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:e8TzWBc1HHA.3768@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>I have recently tried to use the Windows XP SP2 system disk in order to

>reinstall Windows on my laptop.. The first time I used the telephone

>assisted support method which required me to type in nine six-digit numbers

>dictated over the telephone in order to authenticate my disk. I managed

>to do that and the process insisted on a complete download and warned me

>that after installation the first boot-up of Windows would take much longer

>than normal. In fact, after two hours of looking at the black Windows XP

>opening screen, carrying the message "Please wait...", I switched-off the

>computer then switched it on again. The computer booted-up and I was

>able to use it normally, except for IE6 and AVG Antivirus. I have used it

>in that condition for several days but I always receive the message that

>there are Windows Updates available for download but the computer is unable

>to download them. Not only that, the hard disk continually clicked,

>indicating that it was being read or written to.

>

> This morning I decided to try a Repair/Reinstall of Windows but the

> program did not offer the option and I followed the procedure for a

> complete reinstall. This is continuing now and all of the downloads

> are complete and the computer has re-booted. However, after waiting

> for about 30 minutes I am still looking at a black screen carrying the

> message "Please wait....."

>

> Has anybody got any idea how long I should wait before the booting-up will

> be complete, or should I close down the computer and re-start manually as

> I did last time?

>

> p.s. I am sending this message from my desktop.

>

> T.Hyde

>