Problem with XP

Try downloading #117 from here:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

If you have an XP cd, and you won't die if you lost some files, you should re-install from scratch. Your XP is very screwed up.

Get a hold of a W98 (or ME) boot floppy. Pop it in and run fdisk at the "A" prompt. Delete all the partitions - DO NOT FORMAT HERE!

Pop in the cd, and let the install do its' thing. Have to make sure that the cd drive is first in the boot order up in the BIOS.

Pop in the XP cd and let the install proceed to the point it finds the existing Windows. You want to delete everything and start fresh.

When you choose the format - choose NTFS long, not the Quick one.

If you have a floppy drive - and everyone should - seek out a friend who can help you find, and use, a Windows98 (or ME) bootable floppy diskette.

Pop it in and restart. You will get an "A" prompt eventually.

Type in fdisk. There will be options in there to delete partitions - DELETE THEM (or it).

Remove the floppy - pop in your XP cd, and do a fresh install of XP.

Make sure, when you get to the formatting section, that you choose NTFS - but not the Quick one.

It'll run XP. Maybe not great, but it will run.

Make sure you wipe out all the partitions with fdisk.

I've seen it run on 128mb of ram. XP just uses the pagefile to a GREAT extent in that low memory situation.

DO NOT BOTHER REPAIRING WHAT YOU HAVE!

You need to do a clean install.

It sounds like you may have the "Upgrade" version of XP. You will need a Windows 95, 98, or ME installation cd (borrow one if you have to) to put in during the beginning of the install to verify ownership of a previous windows. You just pop it in to the cd drive when prompted, and you will be told when to take it out.

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Do not install ME first.

Just have the ME cd handy when the XP installation asks for verification of a previous Windows. You pop it in; the install looks at it; the install continues and asks for the XP cd to be put back in after you remove the ME.

It's the easiest way.

If you still have some function in your machine, Google "boot floppies" and download the file to do it yourself.

Format a couple of floppies first to find one that is clean - no bad spots!

Pop the floppy in - right-click the "A" drive - and choose format.

98se oem

After you download it, you put a "clean" floppy in the "A" drive, locate the download and double-click it. It will put all the files for the boot floppy on the diskette.

The rest of it you have perfectly right.

You have to be kidding me!

You said you have an "Upgrade" XP cd. Do you or don't you?

If you do, that message was probably along the lines of not finding a qualifying Windows installation and that you had to insert your ME at that point.

If you want to live with the WORST OPERATING SYSTEM ever assembled, be my guest!

And, if you're embarassed because I'm right, and then try to install XP over ME - then you're an idiot!

Listen to me Bob. This is my last post on this thread! I will walk you through this again. I've done this exact install about 500 times!!!!!!!!!!!

The Upgrade cd you have WILL install XP - it WILL install - it WILL indeed install.

Kill the partition with fdisk again. This will wipe out the Fat32 ME that you installed, that you don't have to install, and which you really don't want.

Make sure the cd drive is FIRST in the boot order up inside your BIOS. You have to hit a key to get in there - usually Del, or F1, or F2 - there should be a message about that as you first start up the comp. Nose around in there & look for something like boot order or boot priority. Set cd drive first, floppy second, hard drive third.

Pop in the XP cd to start everything going. For about 3-4 minutes Setup will load a bunch of files. Then it comes to a stop with a screen with three options: Install, Repair, Quit.

You will press Enter to continue the install. Immediately you will be asked to press F8 to say okay to the "Licensing Agreement" Press F8.

You will then come to a stop again, and this screen will say:

"Setup cannot find a previous version of Windows installed on your computer. To continue, Setup needs to verify that you qualify to use this upgrade product.

Please insert.................." and it lists all the qualifying flavors of Windows that it will accept - one of which is your ME cd.

Open the cd tray - take out the XP Upgrade and put in the ME cd. Setup will look at it, and in about 5-7 seconds will continue the install. Setup will ask you to put back the XP Upgrade cd after a few more seconds has elapsed. You open the tray - take out your ME cd and put back the XP.

Setup will continue and you will have a clean fresh XP in about 35 minutes. Make sure at the partitioning & formatting screen you choose all the space it will let you use, and you choose the NTFS format - but not the Quick.

PRINT THIS OUT SO YOU CAN FOLLOW IT STEP BY STEP - checking off as you make progress.