xp keeps restarting since my computer froze during the sp1 update

[jared]

Hello,
I hate to bother everyone, but here goes:

I was recently running xp professional update and adding sp1, it was installing fine when the computer froze. It already backed up the files and was working on the installation when it froze. I let it sit there for awhile but eventually I shut it down.

When I tried to restart it later everything was going fine, the little windows xp professional bar came up to show that it was loading, but then just when it was about to actaully start windows the computer restarted. I let it restart, hoping it might work the next time, but it just continues restart over and over again. My guess is it probably has something to do with the half finished sp1 files. Can I retreive the backupfiles somehow to fix this?
Can anybody help me fix this problem?

I'm not very computer savvy so if you can help me as clearly as possible I would really appreciate it.
Thanks again.
Jared

[snowmonkey]

That's becuase the serial number you install your compy of Windows XP with was black listed and Windows Service pack 1 will detect it and give you problem like what you have. Purchase a version of Windows XP then you wouldn't have this problem.


following product ID fails to install Winsdows XP service pack 1:

XXXXX-640-0000356-23XXX and XXXXX-640-2001765-23XXX

cheers

[scouse]

how do you know he has an ilegal copy of XP ?. it may well of just corrupted on the install. here is what you do, boot up with the XP disc in as if you were going to install Xp for the first time, then when it has booted up to were it asks you to press any key to continue and F8 to agree do all that until you get to the screen asking do you want to repair Xp or install, choose install then on the next screen Xp will ask you once more do you want to repair choose repair now and allow it to do its thing, make sure you ahve you key handy as you will have to type it so far along. when everything is finished your computer will be just as it was before you tyred to install SP1. it will though of deleted all critical M$ updates so downlaod those again. I would also advise you to get SP1 on disc it is much quicker and easyier to install.

But if Snowmonkey is correct you will not be able to install SP1. i ahve never heard of SP1 install so afr and freeze the comp if you ahve an ilegal key, all it does is refuse to install and pops a message up telling you that M$ has detected an ilegal key and to get in touch with them to solve it. but your comp will still be fine. M$ do not do anything to anyones computer who has an ilegal key. M$ knows many people buy computers with ilegal copys without a person knowing, and M$ would not try to make anyones comp go bad because of that, that is why all they do is nrefuse to allow SP1 to install only.

[jared]

ok, thanks scouse. I have one more question. My disc is at home and I am at college, is there anyway to do it without the disk? if not, I'll just have to wait until I go home-which stinks.

thanks for your help thus far.
Jared