FAILED XP Repair?

[aldin39]

HI, I have been having problems with my OS lately so I decided to repair it by borrowing an XP CD from my friend. Unfortunately, It was so dumb of me to notice that the CD i borrowed is a windows xp professional kit while I am running Windows XP Home. I inserted the disk and run setup utility so i can repair my OS, I did that SOLELY for the purpose of repairing my Windows OS, not for software piracy. i just want my pc to be up and running in top shape. I did not know that it asks for a validation key so the setup did not run succesfully. Now, everytime I run my pc it always flashes the setup page and how it was unsuccessful so it restarts again, and the cycle goes on. What step(s) do i need to do so that i can log in and possibly back up my files or get the OS, even the old one , running again? Please help, I am at my wits end.:confused:

[Tony D]

On doing the XP Repair, it seems that you actually did an XP install. There is a difference. You may have lost your data and applications.

 

Why did you have to borrow an XP install CD from your friend? If this computer was purchased from a major manufacturer, the Product Key should be attached to the computer chassis via a label. You will need the XP Home CD that came with the computer or a restore disk that you should have made when you purchased the computer.

 

Is there a Product Key attached to the computer chassis? You will need the Product Key that came with your computer to continue.

 

What make/model is this machine?

[aldin39]

hi!

 

I borrowed my friend's cd cause my OS was pre-installed and i do not know about the product validation key or something. i may have run over it when i was browsing system info but I have not taken the code down.. And now I don't have a way of knowing what was my product key.:confused:

[aldin39]

i have to tell you that when i bought the pc from a vendor, they did not include the xp installation cd nor did they tell me or give me notes about my product key. maybe they kept it to themselves, and i was just a "newbie" that time so i did not care about it. But now that it's a different story i know that i made a mistake of not getting my product key or asking my vendor about it. What do you suggest I do?

[AdvancedSetup]

Do you have access to another PC with Internet access where you can burn a CD if needed?

 

Why were you trying to repair the system? What was wrong with it?

[Seth]

I think you may have installed XP instead of repairing it as kelly suggested. As, if I remember correctly, you can't repair Home with Pro and vice versa.

 

Did you check the back of the computer for the Microsoft product key sticker?

[aldin39]

Hi! Sadly im one of those poor computer enthusiasts that don't have an internet connection. I am still in the process of deciding whether to get connected or not, considering my constraints.About the product key code, I checked the documentation and the back of my case, even the motherboard but there is no such thing as special code in it. I have been having this problem which says that 2 sectors of my physical disk is damaged. That's why i repaired my OS.

[Tony D]

Obviously you have an Internet connection because you are conversing with us via the Internet.

 

Consider purchasing a retail version of XP Home and using that to get your computer up and running.

[aldin39]

I am conversing to you through a public internet cafe. But you are right, I should have bought a Retail version again, which I have done(though I am running PRO now)! Anyways, thank you for the help.

[Dalo Harkin]

Glad it's all sorted - on the internet side -

I for one would be LOST without it - internet in the UK you can get for as little as £7.50 per month ;)