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Thread ID: 93304	2008-09-11 05:48:00	Reformatting an XP machine	PaulBNZ (9317)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
704404	2008-09-11 05:48:00	Hi, I'm attempting to clean out the cobwebs on my parents desktop by reformatting it or reinstalling XP Home cleanly. It is an HP desktop, about 7 years old, and currently running XP Home SP2. We never got Windows installation disks with it so I've created a streamlined SP3 Windows XP bootable DVD using the i386 folder on the machine and a tutorial I found on the web. I gave this disk to a mate to check if it works and he had no problems booting from it on his laptop, and getting up to the point at which he could install XP if he wanted to. On my parents desktop however, I can't seem to get it to boot off the DVD I made. The first screen that appears on start up shows the initialising of the BIOS and says at the bottom words to the effect of press F1 to enter Setup. I did this, set the CD-ROM drive over the hard drive on the boot-up priority list but nothing happens; the machine just starts up as normal, even after restarting it. Note, this PC hasn't had the O/S removed or reformatted as of yet. I just wanted to check that the disk worked on the machine. Is there something I am missing or doing wrong? Cheers, Paul	PaulBNZ (9317)
704405	2008-09-11 05:52:00	Has the HP got a DVD-ROM in it?? If not, (if its only a CD), then the cd wont read it. You need a DVD-rom or DVD burner to boot from DVD Or if there is a DVD-ROM in it, did you press a key, when it says to press a key (once you boot from the DVD)??	Speedy Gonzales (78)
704406	2008-09-11 05:54:00	HP desktop has a DVD-drive in it. In fact, I made the disk on this machine. I didn't see anything about pressing a key after booting from the DVD, I don't think I even made it that far.	PaulBNZ (9317)
704407	2008-09-11 05:55:00	Its comes up pretty fast (it says to press a key), 2-3 secs after you reboot. When you boot from the cd / dvd Has this system got a restore partition on it?? If it does, you maybe able to create a restore cd / dvd. With the ISO's on the other partition	Speedy Gonzales (78)
704408	2008-09-11 06:02:00	Generally you cant install fresh from the i386 folder - but you can do a repair install. The reason your mates one worked is prob because the Original OS is up and running. Reboot the PC in Safe Mode with command Prompt ,You should then have something like C: documents and settings\your name\ Type in CD C:\I386 <Enter> OR point towards the CD that has the i386 Type in winnt32.exe <Enter> Agree to anything, this should then reinstall windows as doing a repair install.	wainuitech (129)
704409	2008-09-11 06:24:00	Would doing this repair install give me a clean version of Windows ready to go? Does it perform the same function as a reformat etc?	PaulBNZ (9317)
704410	2008-09-11 06:26:00	Its comes up pretty fast (it says to press a key), 2-3 secs after you reboot. When you boot from the cd / dvd Has this system got a restore partition on it?? If it does, you maybe able to create a restore cd / dvd. With the ISO's on the other partition I tried rebooting again but couldn't see anything like what you described. Yep, it has a HP restore partition on it. How would one go about making a restore disk from that? cheers	PaulBNZ (9317)
704411	2008-09-11 06:51:00	Running from the i386 folder usually only does a repair reinstall of XP, leaving all data/programs. If its got a working recovery partition, on start up keep tapping the F10 key, thats the standard key for HP/Compaq to activate the recovery. One trick for young players - sometimes you need to press the F Lock Key to activate the F keys on start up - the F Lock is usually above the Numeric keypad on the right. If the F keys dont work, when you hit the power button, quickly hit F Lock, normally a light comes on indicating its active, then quickly tap F10. That all happens in a matter of 2-5 seconds, you should then see the recovery partition starting to load, you then have the option to format/reinstall windows or repair - select the format/ reinstall - you will generally get asked 2-3 time s ARE YOU SURE - as it will wipe everything.	wainuitech (129)
704412	2008-09-11 07:29:00	Wainui - I haven't really been paying attention the last couple of days, but I do like your new avatar. :)	R.M. (561)
704413	2008-09-11 08:53:00	Wainui - I haven't really been paying attention the last couple of days, but I do like your new avatar. :):lol: Cheers, The Mrs sent me one of those emails that has a song embedded - the Pic was in the mail and its how I feel sometimes are a days work - we all know how PC's can be a brain strain - the Mrs has slippers like thoses :eek: BACK to this thread - PaulBNZ - if you cant get the OS to load from the recovery - you can always use another XP CD, even yours and format/install from fresh using the product key thats meant to be attached to the PC Someplace on the Compaq/HP (NOT your own product key)	wainuitech (129)
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