Dual Boot and Reinstalling Windows XP Pro problem

[Slickcondo]

Hi there,

I hope someone here can help. A few days ago, I turned on my spare Fujitsu P7010 laptop and a error screen showed up saying something like
"A problem is detected and Windows has shut down to prevent damage to my computer, If this is the first time you see this message.........." Then on a new line, it says DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Technical info:
STOP:0x000000D1 (0xEBCE8366, 0x0000002, 0x0000001, 0xF8399FOF
NDIS,YSY-address F8399FOF base at F83810000, Datestamp 41107ec3
beginning dump of physical memory
physical dump memory completed
contact system admin for..........

I've since found out that this sometimes happens with Windows XP Pro running with either SP1 or SP2 and Microsoft has a patch for this But before I found this out, this is what I then did:

I inserted my backup copy of my Enterprise Edition of Windows XP Pro SP1 (I lost the original copy), hoping it will boot and do a fresh reinstall. It booted up, and started copying some files to the hard disk. Then is asked for the product key. But when I input the key, it says it is a invalid key !!! However, I have used the same disk and key code several times in the past without any problem.

In any case, it proceed to complete the installation and gave me 30 days to register my Windows XP Pro with SP1. But when everthing is installed, I noticed that many programs were not copied to the hard disk. Only a handful of the program were installed. But the laptop worked and I can also go on to safe mode.

I then tried to resolve the 30 days registration problem and had a copy of my friend's XP Pro with SP2 inserted and run. It let me input my friends key code and accepted it, but then it didn't went any further, but keep asking me to insert the original XP disk which I do not have. So the installation stopped there, but the 30 days registration disappeared as it says the code was accepted. (I seems to accept my friends key code for me to use with my SP1 version)

But when I restart my latop, it came up with 2 boot menu - Windows XP Pro with SP1 and Windows XP Pro with SP2 Setup and both on the same C drive.. I lost any partition it was there, so only C drive is present with D drive as my CD disk drive. ( D Drive used to be my second partitioned hard drive)

Judging from the boot menu, it seems Windows Pro with SP2 is not installed and is still waiting to be setup. So I use the SP1 boot to start Windows. But I didn't like the dual boot option and wanted to reinstall. I treid to format C from the A prompt by typing Format C: but it won't let me as it says C drive is the operating drive and cannot be formatted.

Can anyone help to explain
1) why suddenly my XP with SP1 key code no longer work and
2) how do I reformat my drive and to start a fresh reinstall.

A friend told me that a complete reformat of my hard disk may resolve the XP SP1 code non acceptance problem and I would like to try it given that as it stands, my laptop is not a full working one with lots of accessories and functions missing and only the basic ones being installed, including Internet Explorer and associated internet capabilities.

Many thanks for the help and apologies if this is a long "report" of the problem. Thanks for taking the time to read it and for any help you can give. My knowledge of computer is just about average, so please use simple plain instructions. Thanks

[Slickcondo]

Wow !! No one can help ?

[nimd4]

Ok, so giving your text a quick glance and in order to provide you with a quick answer; Part one of the problem is two-fold:

• There are different versions of Windows XP (Corporate version which requires no activation, apart from the serial number and the regular 30-days to activate version)
• & there is a difference between OEM, or regular (Enterprise or not), SP1 & SP2 and SP3 serial numbers.

Part two is in the actual procedure that you carried out. There are no programs because you've done a clean install, as opposed to a repair. As far as a new fresh install, it should be feasible when booting from the Windows CD (as outlined in the actual Microsoft menus of the setup program).

Micro$oft has the files on this, for example @

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941

etc.

P.S. Here's what the repair install should've been like:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

[Slickcondo]

Hi nimd4,

Nice to hear from you and thanks for your comments and the links. But I think you missed the point here.

I have done fresh install several times in the past without any problem. But this time, it did not go as it should. When I boot up from the installation disk, it did not gave me any option. It just copied some files across from the Disk to the HDD while it is showing Windows Setup as the process. If memory serves, it then asked for the key and when I entered, it says it's not valid when in the past it accepted without any problem. That is the end of the installation process.

On reboot, it says I have 30 days to register. This was with Windows enterprised edition with SP1. I then tried the CD that was with SP2 incorporated and it accepted the key !!! But actually this key belongs to my brother in law's ( not sure if it is his OEM or Full version). That;s how I ended up with 2 boot.

Question is:
1) how come the key to my enterprise edition suddenly is not valid and I can use the key to my brother in law's.
2) why the fresh install did not do as it normally does and gave me the options to select
3) how come there is a blue scree error suddenly when I have firewall and antivirus all up to date, including a good anyt-spyware program installed. Besides, this spare laptop was seldom connected to the internet and it was not connected when the blue screen error appeared at start up.
4) what can I do to recitfy this problem. I have tried to reinstall since, but still same problem !

Ideas ? Suggestions ?

[qfisheye]

Take your friends win cd.You made a decision while installing windows to put windows on the same hard drive, but you left the other version on that hard drive. Windows put it on a different partition. (you can't put windows on the same partition.-your fault. Now you want to install windors and be careful and when you get to the screen that shows you both partitions-- delete(i think that's the word in this instance)one partition and then the other partition. Then create a partition( this will give you the whole hard drive). now format the drive and do a clean install. Remember to installk all drivers and please update your system to sp3. Good luck Qfisheye

[Slickcondo]

Originally Posted by qfisheye

Take your friends win cd.You made a decision while installing windows to put windows on the same hard drive, but you left the other version on that hard drive. Windows put it on a different partition. (you can't put windows on the same partition.-your fault. Now you want to install windors and be careful and when you get to the screen that shows you both partitions-- delete(i think that's the word in this instance)one partition and then the other partition. Then create a partition( this will give you the whole hard drive). now format the drive and do a clean install. Remember to installk all drivers and please update your system to sp3. Good luck Qfisheye

Hi qfisheye,

Thanks for joining the discussion here. I didn't make any decision on having two Windows on the same drive. By right, when you insert a Windows XP cd and boot it, it should have given you the choice whether to format the drive first. This did not happened and that is why I am in this situation. I'd expect that after installing the Enterprise Edition with SP1 incorpporated on the disk, when I insert my friend's CD, which is incorporated with SP2, it would have asked me if I want to upgrade. I was never given any choice for some reason. I thought that by booting with the SP2, it would have asked if I want to reformat the C drive or not. No such choice.

Also, is happend that both Windows are on the same drive and only one drive exists, the C dirve. Otherwise it would have been a breeze to rectify the sitaution bu deleting one drive/parittion then the other and assuming that it behaves as we would have expected, I will not be in this posisiton now !!

But thanks for your input.

[qfisheye]

hi, I have installed windows at least 200 times, I know where you are.If you want to do a new reload(and I think you should) listen.Pick the windows you want to install , load the cd. when you get to the place that shows you the drive status, delete one drive at a time.continue as i told you in the prior message. qfisheye

[Slickcondo]

Originally Posted by qfisheye

hi, I have installed windows at least 200 times, I know where you are.If you want to do a new reload(and I think you should) listen.Pick the windows you want to install , load the cd. when you get to the place that shows you the drive status, delete one drive at a time.continue as i told you in the prior message. qfisheye

Hi - as I said, the installation process somehow did not behaved as you described even after reinstalling it twice ! I have also done a bit of reinstalling in the past, both of Windows 98 as well as XP. If it had behaved as it should, I won't be having this problem and be here seeking help ! I have not been given the option to format, or creat or delete any drives and there is only one drive at present. In the past, it automatically created 2 partitions on installation after given the option to format.

I think the best option for me at the moment is somehow to reformat the whole hard drive using a third party software. But so far I have not found one that allow me to do that since I only have one drive and format software cannot format the drive that it is running on !