Windows XP restore fault

[DwainHicks]

Hi

I have been trying to re install windows XP Home edition on my computer

my system didnot come with a copy of XP on disk it was pre installed and I was unable to use system restore in the Tools section.

So I bought a OEM version of Windows XP Home Edition SP3.

I have followed the instructions to boot the computer from CD and and went through the options for using the restore a previously installed version of Windows XP.

About a third of the way into the installation a window popped up asking for the file VIAAGPI.SYS on VIA AGP FILTER DRIVER DISK IS NEEDED,

(this is a driver for the AGP slot) with the option to type the file path or browse for the file but could not find it so I just clicked on skip the instalation continued and the system rebooted but all that came up was the message you must register this version of Windows with microsoft YES or NO which ever choise I make I will either get to the User logon page or just my desktop wallpaper no Icons just the wallpaper.

I did a google search and found this is a common problem when repairing Windows XP. I found the driver online and put it on a floppy disk.

I started the repair from the start and when the window popped up asking for the VIAAGPI.SYS driver I installed it from the floppy drive.

The windows installation accepted it and continued installing Windows XP and rebooted my system to complete the instalation.

When it rebooted the Windows XP screen comes up with the message please wait... and then stops. the mouse curser is in the shape of a hour glass and I can move the curser around the screen but no login screen or Desktop comes on.

Thx

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Why didn't you just do a new install?

[Tootech]

When it rebooted the Windows XP screen comes up with the message please wait... and then stops. the mouse curser is in the shape of a hour glass and I can move the curser around the screen but no login screen or Desktop comes on.

 

Try booting to Safe Mode.

 

You may need to install your board/video drivers from Safe Mode, then try booting normally again.

 

Another thought occurred to me. If you have run a repair with XP SP3, and you didn't originally have SP3 installed it could make a real mess.

 

To be honest, if you can get to Safe Mode, I'd be tempted to back up all the data and then do a clean install, it could be the only way to get things 100% again.

 

One last thing - what was wrong in the first place ?

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Dwain,

 

It has come to our attention that you have posted for help on another forum(s).

 

The address is here- Windows XP restore fault

 

Normally we would close this thread straight away, however I will give you the chance to make your mind up as which forum you wish to stay with.

We do sympathise and understand that you want your problem solving as quickly as possible. Posting on multiple forums, however, is not the answer.

 

Whether this is a malware or other problem you must realise that a great deal of time is spent by moderators and helpers in researching possible solutions for you. Under normal circumstances we do not begrudge you this time at all. After all, that is why we are here.

 

It is, however, very frustrating to find that our colleagues on this, and other help forums, are being asked to spend time on a topic that is receiving assistance elsewhere.

 

There is also the problem of conflicting information. There is often more than one way of solving a particular problem and if you are receiving assistance from two or more sources, this will invariably conflict or be duplicated. Either way this is a waste of helpers’ time.

 

As you have posted on two or more sites you now have a decision to make.

We are happy to help you here but you must inform the other

forum(s) and ask for your thread to be closed so that you are not wasting other helpers’ time.

 

Similarly, if you choose to get assistance elsewhere - please let us know and we will close the thread and wish you luck solving your problem.

 

Please let us know your decision within the next 48 hours.

 

If there is no reply after this period we will assume that you are receiving help elsewhere and your thread here will be closed.

Nev.

[DwainHicks]

Hi

I would like to apologise to the moderators for posting on multiple forums as I thought this would be the best way to get the widest possible amount of advise. I have closed all threads in the other forums I posted on and would like to continue here if that is OK.

To make things a bit more clear I was following the instructions on this site Langa Letter: XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option -- InformationWeek=

 

But my system hangs on screen 16 "please wait..." I let my system run for about 4 hours with no change.

Could a possible solution be Buying a new hard drive installing XP on it setting the new drive as the master, then setting my old drive to slave would the data on the slave drive be accesable ?

 

P S

The OEM Disk that I bought was exactly the same operating system that was installed on my computer Windows XP with SP3

 

 

Thx

Edited June 28, 2009 by DwainHicks

[Guest Wolfeymole]

What seems to have happened here is that you tried to repair an installation by using a standard OEM rather than making some recovery disks.

 

Here's an example ok with my setup which is an HP box that came with no disks, I immediately made some recovery/re-install disks should I need them, this is what you should have done.

 

The only way to get any of your stuff off that drive is to do as you mentioned and use it as a slave.

 

Get a new HDD and install that XP OEM SP3 disk.

 

If you don't and are not bothered about your stuff then you must choose to delete any previous versions of Windows on the original drive and then install.

[DwainHicks]

Hi

Thanks to all for there replys and help !

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Bear in mind that you will have to activate to Microsoft and then get additional updates that are available plus all drivers for that box at the manufacturers site.