messed up good

[Jimbo397]

Hi All
Well, guess I have messed up real good now.
Thought I had a virus, and started trying to get it out, I did run all the proper things, like antivirus and ad-aware.
Anyway, I am now having to use someone elses computer, to ask for help now
On mine I am thinking of doing a complete reformat and a clean install.
I did put the XP CD back in and thought I might be able to get up and running like that, but now the process stops with 34 minutes left to finish the installation, it just will not go pass there, if I boot into safe mode, I have only the one opion there, and that is to install xp, but try as I may, it will not get passed that 34 minutes left to completion point.
So I am open for advice, but asking for a link to a "How to reformatt windows xp without using to CD.
Can I not use a bootable floppy and type in format c,e,f. or something like that.
I do have three partitions.
Thanks for any adive.............Jim

[bailey]

with a mess like that I also would be tempted to format the drive and do a fresh clean install myself.

[Jimbo397]

So how do I do the "Format"?

[AlwaysUp]

I would private message GLC to get link to delpart.exe which deletes NTFS partitions. I would then delete all but the primary DOS partition and then Reinstall XP. I think why you are hanging up is when the OS load comes to those other partitions. If you then what your additional partitions back I would use something like PartitionMagic or similar.

[Jimbo397]

I can't even get to a command prompt with a boot floppy, Gets as far as "Verifying DMI Pool Data..........."
Then says to remove disks or other media
Press any key to restart
H-E-L-P

[Lobos]

is this what your talking about AlwaysUp


http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm

[AlwaysUp]

ya, that is the link. When you try to boot normally, what happens. Sounds to me that that boot disk you are using is not being recognized as bootable.

[Jimbo397]

When I try and boot normally, the set up screen comes up where it froze, telling me to put the disk in, when I do that, it just freezes again at the same location, where it says 34 minutes left.
I can get into bios, and safe mode, but when I hit F8 and get into safe mode the only option is to install windows xp, which brings me back to the place where the installation froze up.
Any Suggestions!!!!!!!!!!

[Statica]

If you are doing a fresh install, you do not need delpart or any utility to clean out your drive. Simply boot with the Windows CD. In the section to choose your partition, read all the directions. It will tell you how to delete a partition. Essentially, you select an old partition and then press D to delete. Once you have deleted all your partitions, now start recreating new partitions.

[Jimbo397]

I did try and use the Windows XP CD and now every time I start the computer up, it goes back to the installation process where it left off, where it freezes up, and tells me to put the disk back in, when I do it just freezes up once again, at the same spot.
I tried a boot disk, and the delpart disk, and it goes passed the bois part and then tells me to "Remove disks or other media and press any key to restart.
Can't even get to a command prompt.
I did go into bois and make sure that boot from floppy was the first boot.
When I take out the floppy and press any key it goes back to the same part of the installation where it left off, telling me to put the CD back in, when I do that it freezes up again at the same spot.
What to do? What to do? What to do?
Jim

[wjperry]

Jimbo397
If you have a second HDD available, I would be tempted to disable the one your using now and do a complete, fresh install as Statica said. You can always later go back and make some use of that first HDD.

[Statica]

I'd say you're due for a low level format or a zero-fill on your drive BEFORE you insert that XP CD of yours. Check with your hard drive mfgers' website for a compabitible utility.'

PS: not getting past the verifying dmi pool data on your computer is usually indicative of a bad BIOS setting especially for boot devices. Or a cable error as well. Check it before you can get your system up with a bootdisk for running an LLF or 0-fill

[Jimbo397]

Well, I left the Windows CD in and after two hours I went back and checked it and sure enough the installation had completed. Great, But now the only thing I have is the desk top, you know the green field and blue sky. No Start Menu, no task bar, no folders, no nothing.
How can I get the Start Menu and Task bar back again?
Thanks.................Jim