xp install problem .. BIG problem

[Greatbloke]

1. I came home to find my computer crashed.

2. I restarted it, but it didn't work properly.

3. I managed to check for viruses and spyware but found none.

4. I attempted a system restore but it failed.

5. a few tries later and an earlier restore point... it said restore successful.

6. rebooted and since then it won't load windows at all.

7. tried booting from disk and using the different recoverys, [both at the first and second screens.]
It starts to restore with the blue screen and yellow bar... but only gets to about 85
% before saying files are missing... after several more attempts it gets stuck at 95%
Windows still won't load. I have two XP disks a home version and a pro version..same missing file problem on both.


Also I have a second windows installation on a different hard drive.. that won't load either.. even if I unplug the other drives.


Thank god I bought this lap top a few weeks back.


Any thoughts on my next course of action?

[disgracian]

Check your RAM if it's claiming missing files during installation.

[Greatbloke]

Thanks Dis .. I had some old RAM which I swapped .. didn't work at all ... I suppose I'll go and buy some new RAM and try that unless anyone has any other ideas. I could use some new RAM anyway,

[..ME..]

i think, if i remember ur name correctly, its just the name that causes the problem

[Rusty]

GB if you haven't already done it, you may want to consider removing any hardware/external devices that aren't mandatory to install windows. Also if you have 2 or more sticks of ram, try each one individually and see how you go, also try a different IDE/sata cable, and lastly (if possible) try installing xp on a different hard drive.

GL m8

[Greatbloke]

Thanks for the help.

I removed the RAM and put one stick back in. Beauty! it fired up and I reinstalled XP, and worked perfectly!

I rebooted as I installed new drivers etc.. worked fine... woke up this morning and turned it on but it reset itself a few times before working again.... fingers crossed.

[Greatbloke]

Oh well, it totally went to shit again.. system files not found... and various other screens....


That's it, with it,..until the new year for me.

[blink]

How old is the system GB? If I had that many hassles with a machine I would just write it off and get a new one

[Greatbloke]

Yeah that makes sense Blink... I was thinking I might do that. .. this lap top is better that it anyway....More RAM, dual core, faster Video card.... I have it hooked up to my 22" monitor in extended screen mode...and use it as a TV while I surf the net.