Howdy
This is the upshot of a long thread at http://forums.whatthetech.com/All_desktop_...er_t103241.html
Dealing with corruption of Windows XP home.
Seems the easiest fix is to put in a new HD (I've bought a Western Digital 500GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA II HARD DRIVE)
install Windows, put back in the old HD to copy files and so forth. (I have backed it up, as well).

The computer is a Dell Vostro 200

I've been looking up instructions, but find a couple of to-me ambiguous points, so surely would not mind someone's looking over my shoulder. Then there are always the things I don't know I don't know.....

One question is whether I can plug into any of the four SATA receptacles I see on the board, or have to pick the right one.
Other is, if there are no jumpers and cable selections in SATA, how do I designate the master?

I have Windows XP home SP 2 disk from my wife's computer, which is a bit higher grade Dell than mine, which came w/SP 1, and plan to use that.

TIA,
Denno

Hi denno, I thought I'd join in as most of the Tech Team seem to be have been involved here already......... apart from me......
The easiest option is to only install your new hard drive to start off with (we can fit the "old problematic one" later when Windows is fully installed and your protections, especially your anti virus, anti spyware and everthing are up and running fast and sweet on your new hard drive.

It's usual to fit the hard drive to the SATA O connector on the mobo if there is no SATA 0 then connect to the lowest number.The label is hard to see but is often engraved in the plastic along side or underneath the sata connector socket on the mobo) When the time comes we will connect the "old Drive "to the next higher number..)
As long as you have the correct licence and serial number you can use a number of different install discs.....however if you have a Dell install disc that came with the machine then I would be inclined to try this first, especially if you have a second disc with all the drivers on it!

If this does not work then you can move to the Genuine Microsoft Windows XP installation disc and try that.

Hard discs are suceptible to static damage so please take all ESD precautions when making connections inside your machine and it goes without saying that all mains power should be physically disconnected from the machine (together with all other connecting wires) before opening your machine,

Make sure the Windows install disc is inserted into the CD drive before you start the machine. You may have to enter the BIOS (setup) to set the boot priority to CD/DVD as number 1 and Hard drive as Number 2....... once you have made the changes to the boot priority save them, exit from BIOS (setup) and your machine should restart and ask if you want to boot from CD..press the spacebar or any key once to boot from CD.
to enter the BIOS try Pressing the Del key once per second immediately after you press the button to start up the machine....if this key does not work then try F2 and if still no joy then Esc (Restarting your machine for each attempt.

The Microsoft disc will usually offer you the option to install, so click yes, accept the licence (F8) partition the drive as C and do a quick format (these are all options on the Microsoft XP install disc but may not apply to the Dell install discs.......so in that case then, follow on screen directions.
You can install SP3 on top of a XP SP1 install if you wish and this will save some time in installing SP2 (SP3 includes the SP2 updates)

Post back and tell us how you get on..especially if you find that your machine needs SATA drivers for the new drive.....some do some don't.....
Regards
paws

Hello and thank you, Paws.
Golly, that engendered more questions. (What doesn't?)
Would it be a good idea to get A-V on a disk (or download and burn to one) and install it before I connect to the Internet? Or sufficient to make that my first destination with the newly-loaded HD?
I will happily take advice under advisement. Thinking about Kapersky, as it seems to get high marks and is not especially expensive. I've installed Adaware and something else in the past, just the free versions. Good to do as well? Better to use pay/realtime versions?
i suppose it would be nice to be set up so anything at all that I encountered would be intercepted on the way into my computer, not needing to be removed later. Izzat possible?

Can you suss the questions out of that mash?

Denno

Hi denno, Its always a good idea to have anti virus on your machine at an early stage, however. if you are intending to access the Internet through a router, most routers include a firewall and if yours does, then this is your secondary protection.....

Secondary protection? perhaps I hear you say...if a hardware firewall is secondary protection then what is primary protection?......

Primary protection comes about from having a computer operator that is well trained, disciplined, and who sees to it that only safe practices are allowed on the machine......
If you are not operating from behind a hardware firewall ( such as is found in most routers) then you will need to install a software firewall, or rely upon the one that is built into Windows XP..however with the earlier versions of Xp (prior to SP2) the inbuilt firewall was not switched on by default

If you are not using the computer for business , but solely for home and domestic use with no business use whatsoever then you will be entitled to use free Anti virus and firewalls. . However if there is a business element (even "not for profit" or charitable business ) you must have a "paid for" licence.
Included in the "primary protection mentioned above is keeping your Windows XP fully updated with at least all critical updates from Microsoft
When starting the procedure ensure you only have Keyboard, Mouse VDU and power cables connected, all USB sockets should be empty and all disc drives empty apart from the one with the Widows instalation disc inside. Ensure all peripherals are unplugged,(printers, scanners, cameras and their memory cards, USB devices etc etc.

Each technician has her/his own favourite procedures when doing reinstalls, and I do appreciated that its "different strokes for different folks". but here's a simple check list that you may like to consider; You will see that connecting to the Internet comes way down the list!

1 When reinstalling Windows, be very accurate when typing the product key (5 groups of 5 alpha-numerics) consider using non identifyable user names, accounts etc (Valued Client, and Main User rather than John Smith or Bernadette) and that language/keyboard is set to your preference and country.
2 Only press "any key to boot from CD" when first inserting the installation disc (if Microsoft) all other times just wait for 30 seconds.
3 Be aware that your machine will probably reboot twice during the install (Microsoft) and allow Windows to resize your screen if applicable.
4 Follow the rest of the onscreen directions
5 Check in Device Manager..any red/yellow markers? if so consider installing chipset drivers now for
Mobo
Video
Audio/Sound
especially check that your network card has no problems, as this is very important! ( you will need this to connect to the Internet)
6 If you have anti virus on a disc or executable on a flash drive then install it now (but don't update it yet (remember its not safe to connect to the Internet yet!
7 If you have a software firewall on disc or executable install it now, if not, activate the Windows in built firewall
8 If you have an old dearly loved software application that could "take fright" at recent service packs (as it was designed before the latest service packs were even thought of...... install it now.
9 If you have SP3 on disc (you can download this from Microsoft on another machine,) then install it now, if it installs OK then set up your Internet connection and go for Windows XP product activation online (you will have to accept some Active X controls)
10 Next complete all Windows Critical updates, there may over 50 of them! and depending on the speed of your connection may take several hours, with a few reboots added in to keep you interested!
11 Next update your anti virus with the latest definitions
12 decide if you want a dedicated anti spyware product and if so install it
13 Now you can set up your email

Set up a System Restore Point before each one of the following:

14 install the latest Java
15 Install the latest Flash
16 Install the latest Foxit Reader
17 Now you can start to install your Applications follwed by your peripherals do them one at a time with a reboot in between together with a test to make sure all is well, before moving on to the next one.
18 Thoroughly test your machine in a controlled environment (don't let other family members use the machine (put on tin/armoured helmet...!) as the machine is not fully operational yet!
19 If all Ok do a disc clean up, delete junk files, temps that are not required,etc but if you have an Office Suite leave the installation files)
20 Defrag your drive, reboot and do it again!
21 Once satisfied that everything is to your taste, running fast and sweet and before this "perfect installation" has time to get damaged or just cluttered up consider taking a disc image, using Ghost , Paragon, Disk Image, Acronis etc and as well as keeping a copy on a hidden partition on your hard drive ( there will be a wizard for this) keep a sepate copy on removable media (I use an extenal hard drive (USB) for this), check that the image files are verified and them keep 'em safe and make a boot disc..... In addition to the paid for disc imaging applications set out above, Drive Image XML is free and coupled with a Barts Pre Installed Environment bootable disc ( also free) you should be pretty confident.

If at some time in the future you ever were to hit serious trouble that cannot be overcome in a cost effective and timely way by the usual means,,,then just
re-image your machine back to its"perfect" state...it will be done in less time than it takes to walk the dog! You will just need to update it with your back up/updates since the time of your "Perfect disc image"
Good luck
Regards
paws

Wow!

OK, that sounds like doing it right. Glad I asked. I will do some more prep before I set out the block of time to do the actual job. I think I understand it. I think.

Will report.

Thanks,
Denno

and thanks for the link to my cousins..... they are a handsome lot!