Guest Tom _Hyde Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Since my original posting seems to have disappeared I am sending another copy with the subsequent contribution. 21/08/07 To date, the reinstall of XP on my Inspiron has only been partially successful, that is, I can still use it but the programs which needed to be repaired do not function. These are the problems: 1. The Autorun feature on the system disk failed to download the C:I386 folder. (I have since installed I386 manually). 2. Internet Explorer was only partially downloaded and cannot be used. 3 The Help and Support routine cannot access the internet. 4. The Automatic Update fails to work correctly and about 75 KB's fail to install. I have inspected some of the log files and these list an astronomical number of non-functioning items.I have also searched elsewhere for advice, e.g. Microsoft Support websites and Dell User Forums here, http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&thread.id=194367To date none of the advice given has solved my problems. If you look at the contributions on the Forum page you will see that, initially, I raised the problems last year when they occurred on my Dimension desktop, but they have proved to be much more difficult to solve on the Inspiron. I would be pleased to receive your comments. T.Hyde 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 >
Guest Daave Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP "Tom _Hyde" <anonymous@discussion.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:eHFYTz$4HHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Since my original posting seems to have disappeared [snip] Your postings haven't disappeared; they're still there. Since your problem seems to be with the clunky Web interface to this news server, why don't you use a news client instead? And since you already have Outlook Express, have a look at: "Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express" http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 21, 2007 Posted August 21, 2007 Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP 1. The I386 folder (which contains the Setup files) is not normally copied to the hard disk during a standard WinXP installation. The files are used directly from the CD. Dell put that folder onto the HD to make things easier. You putting it on your HD won't help much unless you locate all the pointers in the Registry from the {CD}:\I386 folder to C:\I386 2. You keep saying "downloaded". Files are copied from the CD to the HD, not downloaded. And your reasoning is simplistic. I doubt very much that IE isn't working because the files weren't copied from the CD. If that happened, or if the files were corrupted during the copy operation (or on the original CD) you would have received an error message. 3. It makes sense that Help can't access the internet, since it uses IE to do so. 4. Same as above. I don't understand what is going on, but that long delay isn't a good sign. Usually, I'd blame hardware, but that might not be the case here. Since this is a Dell, I presume you've contacted Dell Support? You should continue that support incident until the thing is fixed. Have you tried a new Repair install? -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Tom _Hyde" <anonymous@discussion.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:eHFYTz$4HHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... > Since my original posting seems to have disappeared I am sending another > copy with the subsequent contribution. > > 21/08/07 > > To date, the reinstall of XP on my Inspiron has only been partially > successful, that is, I can still use it but the programs which needed to > be repaired do not function. These are the problems: > > 1. The Autorun feature on the system disk failed to download the C:I386 > folder. (I have since installed I386 manually). > 2. Internet Explorer was only partially downloaded and cannot be used. > 3 The Help and Support routine cannot access the internet. > 4. The Automatic Update fails to work correctly and about 75 KB's fail to > install. > > I have inspected some of the log files and these list an astronomical > number of non-functioning items.I have also searched elsewhere for advice, > e.g. Microsoft Support websites and Dell User Forums here, > http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&thread.id=194367To > date none of the advice given has solved my problems. If you look at the > contributions on the Forum page you will see that, initially, I raised the > problems last year when they occurred on my Dimension desktop, but they > have proved to be much more difficult to solve on the Inspiron. > > I would be pleased to receive your comments. > > T.Hyde > > > > 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 >> > >
Guest Tom _Hyde Posted August 25, 2007 Posted August 25, 2007 Re: Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP Re: Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP Tto Gary S.Terhune. Thank you for your response which gave some important information about the content of the Windows Reinstallation disk. Rather than bore you with the complete history I now seem to have managed to make the system work. I did some housekeeping and removed some programs I had not used such as Fresh Devices and the corpse of the Avant browser which had also stopped working. This seemed to enable the failed IE7 to splutter into life. I also found this program which I installed and ran: http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix This was recommended in the Internet Explorer newsgroup which I entered via the Microsoft website not via Outlook Express. I carried out the advice about preparation and checking the hard disk and my XP problem was solved. On re-booting, Windows downloaded the 70+ updates which it had refused for weeks. Help and Support is now back I wish I had found Dial-a-fix a few weeks ago. T.Hyde "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message news:u71SilC5HHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > 1. The I386 folder (which contains the Setup files) is not normally copied > to the hard disk during a standard WinXP installation. The files are used > directly from the CD. Dell put that folder onto the HD to make things > easier. You putting it on your HD won't help much unless you locate all > the pointers in the Registry from the {CD}:\I386 folder to C:\I386 > > 2. You keep saying "downloaded". Files are copied from the CD to the HD, > not downloaded. And your reasoning is simplistic. I doubt very much that > IE isn't working because the files weren't copied from the CD. If that > happened, or if the files were corrupted during the copy operation (or on > the original CD) you would have received an error message. > > 3. It makes sense that Help can't access the internet, since it uses IE to > do so. > > 4. Same as above. > > I don't understand what is going on, but that long delay isn't a good > sign. Usually, I'd blame hardware, but that might not be the case here. > Since this is a Dell, I presume you've contacted Dell Support? You should > continue that support incident until the thing is fixed. Have you tried a > new Repair install? > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "Tom _Hyde" <anonymous@discussion.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:eHFYTz$4HHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >> Since my original posting seems to have disappeared I am sending another >> copy with the subsequent contribution. >> >> 21/08/07 >> >> To date, the reinstall of XP on my Inspiron has only been partially >> successful, that is, I can still use it but the programs which needed to >> be repaired do not function. These are the problems: >> >> 1. The Autorun feature on the system disk failed to download the C:I386 >> folder. (I have since installed I386 manually). >> 2. Internet Explorer was only partially downloaded and cannot be used. >> 3 The Help and Support routine cannot access the internet. >> 4. The Automatic Update fails to work correctly and about 75 KB's fail >> to install. >> >> I have inspected some of the log files and these list an astronomical >> number of non-functioning items.I have also searched elsewhere for >> advice, e.g. Microsoft Support websites and Dell User Forums here, >> http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&thread.id=194367To >> date none of the advice given has solved my problems. If you look at >> the contributions on the Forum page you will see that, initially, I >> raised the problems last year when they occurred on my Dimension desktop, >> but they have proved to be much more difficult to solve on the Inspiron. >> >> I would be pleased to receive your comments. >> >> T.Hyde >> >> >> >> 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 >>> >> >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted August 26, 2007 Posted August 26, 2007 Re: Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP Re: Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP Glad to hear you're back on your feet, Tom. And thanks for the feedback. Hadn't heard of dial-a-fix, and though I tend to shy away from such utilities, I'll take look at it. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Tom _Hyde" <anonymous@discussion.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:%235yQdhz5HHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > Tto Gary S.Terhune. Thank you for your response which gave some > important information about the content of the Windows Reinstallation > disk. > > Rather than bore you with the complete history I now seem to have managed > to make the system work. I did some housekeeping and removed some > programs I had not used such as Fresh Devices and the corpse of the Avant > browser which had also stopped working. This seemed to enable the failed > IE7 to splutter into life. I also found this program which I installed > and ran: > > http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix > > This was recommended in the Internet Explorer newsgroup which I entered > via the Microsoft website not via Outlook Express. I carried out the > advice about preparation and checking the hard disk and my XP problem was > solved. On re-booting, Windows downloaded the 70+ updates which it had > refused for weeks. Help and Support is now back > > I wish I had found Dial-a-fix a few weeks ago. > > T.Hyde > > > > > "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message > news:u71SilC5HHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... >> 1. The I386 folder (which contains the Setup files) is not normally >> copied to the hard disk during a standard WinXP installation. The files >> are used directly from the CD. Dell put that folder onto the HD to make >> things easier. You putting it on your HD won't help much unless you >> locate all the pointers in the Registry from the {CD}:\I386 folder to >> C:\I386 >> >> 2. You keep saying "downloaded". Files are copied from the CD to the HD, >> not downloaded. And your reasoning is simplistic. I doubt very much that >> IE isn't working because the files weren't copied from the CD. If that >> happened, or if the files were corrupted during the copy operation (or on >> the original CD) you would have received an error message. >> >> 3. It makes sense that Help can't access the internet, since it uses IE >> to do so. >> >> 4. Same as above. >> >> I don't understand what is going on, but that long delay isn't a good >> sign. Usually, I'd blame hardware, but that might not be the case here. >> Since this is a Dell, I presume you've contacted Dell Support? You should >> continue that support incident until the thing is fixed. Have you tried a >> new Repair install? >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "Tom _Hyde" <anonymous@discussion.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:eHFYTz$4HHA.1148@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >>> Since my original posting seems to have disappeared I am sending another >>> copy with the subsequent contribution. >>> >>> 21/08/07 >>> >>> To date, the reinstall of XP on my Inspiron has only been partially >>> successful, that is, I can still use it but the programs which needed to >>> be repaired do not function. These are the problems: >>> >>> 1. The Autorun feature on the system disk failed to download the C:I386 >>> folder. (I have since installed I386 manually). >>> 2. Internet Explorer was only partially downloaded and cannot be used. >>> 3 The Help and Support routine cannot access the internet. >>> 4. The Automatic Update fails to work correctly and about 75 KB's fail >>> to install. >>> >>> I have inspected some of the log files and these list an astronomical >>> number of non-functioning items.I have also searched elsewhere for >>> advice, e.g. Microsoft Support websites and Dell User Forums here, >>> http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&thread.id=194367To >>> date none of the advice given has solved my problems. If you look at >>> the contributions on the Forum page you will see that, initially, I >>> raised the problems last year when they occurred on my Dimension >>> desktop, but they have proved to be much more difficult to solve on the >>> Inspiron. >>> >>> I would be pleased to receive your comments. >>> >>> T.Hyde >>> >>> >>> >>> 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 >>>> >>> >>> >> >> > >
Guest thyde9337 Posted August 28, 2007 Posted August 28, 2007 Re: Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP Re: Re: Failure to Reinstall Windows XP For a review of Dial-a-Fix see here: http://www.softsea.com/review/Dial-a-fix.html T.Hyde "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > Glad to hear you're back on your feet, Tom. And thanks for the feedback. > Hadn't heard of dial-a-fix, and though I tend to shy away from such > utilities, I'll take look at it. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com >
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