XP boot problem

[Bigduke6]

I've got a similar problem, probably slightly worse. I recently installed Windows XP Professional SP1, but when it gets to the desktop top stage all I see is the wallpaper, no icons, no task bar and no right click. If I press Crtl Alt & delete to bring up task manager, that appears. From there I can see that there is no CD drive recognised, although when you put the CD in you can hear it start then it stops.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

PS I'm new to this PC tinkering

[Statica]

Bigduke6 - welcome to PCMech .. always helpful if you start a new thread with your issue so that we can deal with each individual's issues.

You mention that you've got SP1 running. Is your system clean? Have you run scans for malware using an updated antivirus/spyware scanner?

[Bigduke6]

Firstly I apologise for not posting a new thread, I'm new to these forums. Anyway back to the problem. I'm finding difficult to actually do anything at the moment.

It' s an oldish computer which i'm trying to repair (something for the kids to use basically for school and older games etc.) Bascically a while ago I reformatted C drive, reloaded windows XP, reactivated it with Microsoft and after that it just cuts straight to the wall paper, No icon, no task bar etc. One strange thing though. Direct x version 9.0c is on there?

The system won't recogise my CD drive so I can't load any anti virus or scanners to check for malware (what is malware?) Could it be a CD problem and if so how do I check?

thanks

[Ob1]

http://forums.winforums.org/showthread.php?p=63049

[macko72]

"Malware" is short for 'malicious software' and is usually used as a catch-all term to refer to any software which causes damage to a single computer, server, or computer network.
Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
And if successful update windows to SP2 and rest of the updates!!!

[Bigduke6]

Talk about pulling my hair out, nervous breakdown material or what? Having trouble with suggestions made due to not having a XP CD other than a recovery disk. I bought my PC from PC World (I know, I Know) and there wasn't one in the package. Should I have one? A colleague at work also purchased a machine from there and didn't get one either.

One thought has been to completely wipe the machine back to basics and I have even considered just installing 98 as I have a full disk. How would I wipe the machine?

How do I get to the command prompt (not in XP safe mode?)

Most of previous discussion seem to be relating to partially cleaning the system, I think I want more.

All I can use is task manager.

Please Please Help before I go completely mad

[macko72]

http://www.easydesksoftware.com/recovery.htm

[Bigduke6]

Thanks Macko 72, I've managed to make a copy of I386 as described in article recommended, the only problem now is windows doesn't recognise my CD drive. I've checked BIOS and it is mentioned in there, it also appears when the machine starts up on the DOS screen jusst before windopws kicks in. When in DOS in safe mode the drive doesn't appear. As I mentioned earlier my options seem to be very limited and XP seems to have a self preservation for it's self. I think I was better off with Win' 98 at least I got an original disk with that machine package and not just a recovery with my PC World one.

But again how do I cure this CD Drive problem?

Please help

[macko72]

You can download XP installation files from http://www.bootdisk.com/ and start installation from that point (check instructions), but you could have simple IDE cable or jumper settings issue or real hardware failure, so first check IDE cable then jumper settings and your CD Rom.