[Promojo]

Hi guys!

After posting some help requests here the past few days, I have decided to stop the insanity and just format my PC's and install XP altogether. Don't get me wrong, your help was invaluable, but my problems keep arising. I have 2 PC's with problems, so I am going to discuss each seperately.

PC1: I want to format the computer and re-install windows XP altogether. Problem is (and this is why I want to format the PC together with the random rebooting) that when windows starts, there is a error message that says "can't open event logger" and only the wallpaper opens up with no desktop icons or taskbar/startmenu. I can open programs via Taskmanager, but how do I get to where I can choose to "Format PC" or Format C drive so that I can re-install?

PC2: This one is in a worse state: I cant access windows XP whatsoever, only Recovery Console. When choosing "r" in recovery console, I can't get past the admin password, even if I leave it blank. (I used to get past it by leaving it blank, but after accidently typing a value in there that I can still remember, it wont accept either that or a blank space) . I know that by choosing the first option in the recovery console you can reinstall or repair windows, but will it work if I use a Windows XP Professional CD if I currently have Windows XP Home running on the PC? If the state of PC2 is a no-hoper, do you suggest taking it to IT specialists/technicians to repair?

Thanks, hope this is the last you here from me, but dudes, I need help!!!

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i assume you are wanting to keep the information that is on the pcs right?

[dsenette]

i assume you are wanting to keep the information that is on the pcs right?

[Jacamus]

PC2 recovery console format command.

[Jacamus]

PC1 boot from the cd drive with your windows xp cd and install.

[dsenette]

if all you are going to do is flat out reinstall XP on both machines then just boot from the cd and go through the install process. assuming that you use the same usernames all of your data should stay where it is. you may have to do some fiddeling to get some of it back. but if the end result one way or another is to reinstall then just go for it. the install process will give you the option to format the drive.

[bobthemailman]

look this is what you want to do for both computers. when they start up go into bios then look for something like boot device. change the boot order to floppy then cd then hd. make sure windows disk is in primary cd drive. then restart computer a screen saying to boot from cd press any key. press any key and then eventually you should get a screen that will ask u about partition. deleate your old partition and creat new one then it asks what to format with click NTFS or NTFS quick if available. - this will clear all info- then go through windows instalation. make sure you get updates

Edited by bobthemailman, 09 June 2005 - 02:02 PM.

[Promojo]

Thanks all!. I'm not really worrying about keeping any data or info on my PC's. All I want is a working PC. I'm amaking backups now of valuable stuff on PC 2. About PC2, in order to use format command do I have to get past the admin password first? In that case I'm screwed. PC1 I saw that when choosing a program to run I can click on c: drive and choose format.

[bobthemailman]

its not that easy u have to boot from the cd, this will fix all your problems, hopefully, if you have any problems booting from the cd plz post them.

Edited by bobthemailman, 09 June 2005 - 02:31 PM.

[Promojo]

Because I will not be able to access the internet after I format my PC (for obvious reasons, I am just letting you know what I am going to do:

PC1: I can explore the win XP CD, and can click on setup.exe that takes me through every step. If that doesn't work for me, I wil try the bootup with the CD.

PC2: Just going to try to re-install/repair (option 1 in Startup disk setup screen) with the win XP CD. If that does not work I am going to hit my PC with a baseball bat.

Cheers, please stop me before I do anything wrong. I will start formatting within the next hour.

[bobthemailman]

Because I will not be able to access the internet after I format my PC (for obvious reasons, I am just letting you know what I am going to do:

y will you not be able to get on the internet?

[dsenette]

because he is formating his pc

[bobthemailman]

that does not mean much i just reformated 3 computers and they all connected to the internet and on 2 of them i did not have to do anything. (on the other one i had to run a network wizrd)

[dsenette]

so you're saying that while reinstalling windows you were surfing the internet from the three computers you were installing on?

[dsenette]

ah i see the hang up......he said after....he means during...surely he means during.

[Promojo]

How can you format your PC and stay connected? Did you just do a repair or did you do a format? Because I thought format means "cleaning your hard disk so that there is nothing on (inluding your internet browser and windows that allows you to communicate with the PC)"