90 replies to this topic

[paws]

Hi Malc. This is good news...believe it or not... The fact you have got this far means that you must have run chkdsk twice consecutively with no errors being shownon either with all 5 passes completed successfully each time.............. so well done you! Turning now to sfc, the message you are getting is also ( in a way good news) as it means that sfc has found some errors in the Windows protected system files and wants to copy over good copies from the original Microsoft XP SP2 installation disc. It maybe that you have inserted the wrong disc...so please check that its the correct one (not the Dell one) and try again.) Let me know how you get on and when replying can you give me further details on your friends actions...you say he put in a later version...I don't understand, I thought you reinstalled Windows in Oct 2007 under the guidance of the Dell Support desk.....Have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick? Regards paws

[MALC]

Hi paws, Replying to post 76, cant find post 75. In my first post I mentioned my friend who looked at my PC after the re installation by Dell and before I came to you. I am still unable to get any further with sfc. It looks as though I should go through with re installing program. Do you agree?

[paws]

Hi Malc,
Post 75 was your post to the forum......... jsut check back and you will see it there on the previous to page to this one.

I was trying to establish exactly what your friend did when you said he "put in a later version" .......feel free to give me chapter and verse on it if you wish, but its your call on whether or not you want to reinstall....

A reinstall using the Dell System discs will usually help provide a cure to operating system faults especially if the format and reinstall is used that wipes everything on your machine and then installs everthing to the state it was in when it left the factory. (the fact that this use of the Dell System Discs wipes your hard drive so in effect you start with a clean sheet, so to speak, is one of the reasons for me expressing a very strong recommendation for you to ensure that your back up archive/copy of all important stuff on your machine is up to date 100% accurate and reproducible.

The use of the Dell System discs will not help if it turns out that you have a hardware problem.....this is one of the reasons why I recommended you consider contacting Dell support.

So Malc, the choice is yours I'm perfectly happy to go on......but you must have spent an enormous amount of time on this already, and a reinstall using the Dell discs will either fix it or it won't...if it doesn't then its back to Dell Support for a warranty repair or engage a local competent computer tech to fix it all for you and then unfortunately you will have his bill to pay (so try and get a firm price from him/her for the work before you ask them to start.)

1 Some further word of advice Malc, if you use the Dell discs to reinstall your system, then make sure that your computer has minimal equipment plugged into it.....disconnect (pull out the plugs) from any printers, scanners, thumb drives, cameras or any stuff that your machine does not actually need before you use the discs......

2 Keep a log on a bit of paper of exactly what you are doing, so each step is recorded..........when you have reinstalled, make sure your firewall and anti virus is up and running before you connect to the internet, then before you do anything else (eg don't download any email yet) visit Windows update and download from Microsoft all critical updates and install them.......reboot your computer as instructed by the on screen commands and keep vising Windows update and downloading and instaling all critical updates untill they are all installed before doing anything else.

3 Next up date your anti virus with the latest definitions (do not download or try to use your email until you have done this) and all updates have been installed and you are protected from the latest threats.

4 You can now start to use your email and Internet once this has been done.............................. see how you go for a few days......remember you will not have installed any peripherals at this stage...printers etc.,

If you are free from blue screens for at least 3 days ( use it heavily during this period) then you can start to install your peripherals...start with the printer first, make sure its working Ok, use it for a few days, reboot a few times, still no blue screen Ok move on to the next bit of kit to install and follow the same procedure.......do one thing at a time, and test it for a few days, and make sure all is Ok, before moving on to the next step.

5 Now you can move on to installing one piece of software (program or application) at a time...its the same principle, check out each thing before you move on, reboot frequently and see how you go before moving on.

6 Many of my customers who take these steps, try to rush things and do one thing after another without a reboot in between, so if it goes wrong they have no idea what caused the problem......if you do it my way ....you will know it was the last thing you did that caused the problem so you can undo it quick!!

Good luck and post back and let us know how you are getting on.

Checklist for reinstall using Dell discs
1 Windows Product Licence Key and all application/ programs serial numbers licence keys correctly and accurately recorded
2 Back up of docs and all important stuff, address books, favourites, photos, work etc etc ( anything that is important to you) safely stored on removable media
3 All passwords/user names, email/internet etc safely and accurately recorded. ( removable media or paper)
4 if using a router, passwords user name login details, (wireless encryption codes if applicable etc)
5 Dell discs, clean, undamaged and working. Anti virus and firewall installation files to hand on CDRom
6 Paper and pencil handy (for your log)
7 Cheap digital camera to hand ( to record any strange screen shots or messages.....(cross ref to paper log)
8 Check Dell users manual for precise instructions, make notes, print out useful bits etc.
9 Make sure you have plenty of time, don't rush it, and finally remember whatever you decide we will still be here to provide advice and guidance on any snags or questions .....
10 Now......put the kettle on! you will need a cup or two before the jobs done!

[MALC]

Hi paws, Because I am ready to throw my PC threw the window as it is taking me up to a couple of hours before I can do any thing with it I thought a re install may be the answer. I know it did not work the last time. I was not thinking of using Dell but of using WindowsXP PRO. pack 2. I assumed my friend ment a later version of Windows. However I am not happy to involve Dell and would like to continue with you, if thats ok? Thank you for being so positive it certainly helps me. I don't know about tea a whisky is what I need. Regards, Malc'

[paws]

Hi Malc, Ok I understand and thats just fine. However I would recommend that you use the Dell Restore discs as these will bring your machine to its factory settings and will include all your drivers and everything that was installed when the machine left the factory, its also a lot quicker! Good luck and keep in touch, we will be waiting here to assist Regards paws

[MALC]

Hi paws, I will use the Dell Restore discs as you suggest. I have three discs; 1. REINSTALLATION DVD. 2. DRIVERS and USER DOCUMENTATION 3. MICROSOFT WORKS 8.5 Do I have to use in a pacific order? It is comforting to know that you are there to help me, Regards, Malcolm

[paws]

Hi Malc Use the reinstallation Disc and all should be well, but its great that you have the other discs.... There's a lot of folks rooting for you here Malc....so good luck. Regards paws

[MALC]

Hi paws Just to let you no that due to commitments on my time by my family , I have decided to postpone the re installation until Monday or Tuesday of next week. I will then have the house to myself , so all things being equal I should be able to give it my undivided attention. Thank you and your colleagues for your support. Regards, Malc

[paws]

[MALC]

Hi paws, Sorry to bother you but I would like your advice as to what to do if and when a Blue Screen appears in the middle of re installing. Do I start at the beginning or what? This is the seventh attempt at this e-mail so it is bound to happen when I try to re install. Regards, Malc.

[paws]

Hi malc, Unfortunately you don't have a lot of choice but to start over again.........however if it does happen, (blue screens early in the install procedure) then it points to a hardware problem.... then its back to Dell or your local chap. (for a hardware replacement) Regards paws

[MALC]

Hi paws, You find me in a very fed up mood. I managed to reinstall the Dell program with no problems. However guess what? Its back to square one.Yes the Blue Screen is still there and if any thing even worse because now when I log on a Black Screen appears with the words; WINDOWS XP MEDIA CENTRE EDITION Please select the operating system to start: I press enter then another Black Screen appears with more information on it, I press enter and if I am lucky it goes on through the process to the home page. If I am not lucky then the screen goes totally black and I have to start again. The only programs that I have put in are Speedtouch connection which enables me to get on the internet , the internet connection and Kaspersky Internet Security. Is it ok to enter all the other programs I had before the reinstall? I have installed all the Windows updates. If it requires new Hardware will I be able to do it myself with your help? Regards Malc

[paws]

Hi Malc.,
Its good to hear from you again, its definitely beginning to look like a hardware problem..but let's just check one more thing:

now when I log on a Black Screen appears with the words; WINDOWS
XP MEDIA CENTRE EDITION Please select the operating system to start: I press enter then
another Black Screen appears with more information on it,

Your comment here tends to indicate to me that the "wipe" of the drive when you used the Dell discs may not have taken place......in the above quote you are asked to select the operating system......are you given a choice of any kind? Can you copy down the exact words that you see on the black screen for us.....thanks

Well done though on using the Dell discs...
Regards
paws

[MALC]

Hi paws, This is one of the two messages that are appearing when starting. I will send the other one as soon as I copy it. However as it is a longer message and it is only on screen for about 25 seconds it is taking some time to write it down. The first message is as follows; Please select the operating system to start. Use the up and down arrow keys. WINDOWS XP MEDIA CENTRE EDITION (One of these is highlighted) WINDOWS XP MEDIA CENTRE EDITION Use the up and down arrow keys to move the highlight to your choice. Press the Enter key to chose. For troubleshooting and advanced starting options for Windows press F8. ------------------------------------------------------------ Do you want me to send you some of the latest STOP notices? Is it ok to connect my printer and other hard ware? Regards, Malc.

[MALC]

Hi paws, This is an add on to my last post. At the moment I can only get the one Black screen (as shown in the last post) on my screen. However just to confuse things further, the pre re installing screen showing all the old programs on my desk top have appeared on three seperate occasion before going back to after re installing. What an earth is going on? Regards, Malc.