A very typical Windows XP reinstall/upgrade problem!!!

[askme]

Hi everybody,

I have a very typical problem, when I was installing my Windows XP again.

How problem arises;

I was playing with user privilege setting, like adding users and assigning them different access right. As you know that you have to log out/log In for the result to take palce, and I was doing the same.
Suddenly, when I reboot my Windows XP, it hangs. I mean first screen comes, it started running fine for first 10 second, but when graphical part comes, then there is no any response, I can see the mouse movement, keyboard light work fine, but log in screen does not appear.


To solve the problem what I did, and what problem arises again.

To solve above problem, I boot with Windows XP CD and try to repair, but command prompt (console recovery mode) came which did not serve any purpose, then I went one more step further in installation process, and try to fix windows. When I did that, for my surprise it started installing again (I mean upgrade) but even this one fails after providing Windows XP keys (serial no) by giving error message like
“Application: Error, Memory no xxxxxx, do you want to debug, Yes/No”


When you say yes, it opens Microsoft debugger, which is no use, with lots of hexadecimals codes. If you say No then, windows installation terminates.

In such situation what to do? Please advice me!!!!

[Jazz]

Hi askme

Perform a clean installation of XP, the correct way, as opposed to the unintential upgrade. It will save you a whole lot of trouble further on down the road: -

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Good luck.............

[askme]

by the way, I am installing Windows XP again, on top of previous one because it is not working properly, I don't wanna install fresh one, I have data and programs which I need again. Further more I have protected My Document folder. Now how to deal with such problem!!!

[Jazz]

Hi again askme

It's your choice at the end of the day.

I hope you realize that if you reinstall, repair, or upgrade an existing installation, there is a possibility that you may lose data or program settings!

Admittedly, in the following KB articles, M$ states that it only applies to computers that have Windows XP preinstalled by a computer manufacturer (also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer, or OEM). However, I would not like to take that chance. Once again, the choice is yours.

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;312368

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;312369

Further more I have protected My Document folder. Now how to deal with such problem!!!

After you do your reinstall, sign on as Administrator and try the following in normal mode and safe mode: -

http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;308421

This also begs the question why you did not make regular backups in the first place.

Good luck..................