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4796
February 13th, 2004 16:00
Re-install Windows XP, etc.
I share a 6 month old Dimension 4600 running Windows XP with two children (15 & 12). We use it mostly for school (internet and word processing) and _sigh_ games. We're not good at (read that never) backing up stuff.
It began having major difficulties after downloading Earthlink Total Access. We lost the taskbar including the START button. Thc icons on the desktop were intact but not all the shortcuts were usable. I found I could get to My Computer through the Recycle Bin. Unfortunately, Help and Support wasn't working.
I started trying to figure out what was wrong by running McAfee Virus Scan which came up with nothing. I tried deleting Earthlink TA (after which I found the Community board). I ran Dell Diagnostics which came up okay but I seemed to have lost sound somewhere. (It worked for the tests-twice.) I "repaired" Windows XP which got me back the taskbar and START button but obviously hasn't solved my poor computer's problems...when I restarted the computer, I lost them again.
I've copied all (I hope) important work and bookmarks to a CD or ZIP disk and I'm planning on re-installing the operating system. I have printed out the SuperSite for Windows section on Clean Install and Mr. Denham's page on Installing/Reinstalling, Microsoft's article on In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) and have my Owner's manual. I have limited computer knowledge - I received a final grade of 98 in a DOS 5.0 class at a community college when Windows 3.1 was new 8-) - but I think I can handle it. I do have a couple of questions.
I don't know anything about partitions. Do I need to, considering our simple needs?
What differences can I expect between the re-installed XP and the factory-installed XP?
I do understand that after I finish that I need to 1)install the drivers, etc. 2)enable the firewall and 3)get security updates from Microsoft.
After it's back up and running, I plan on having the children keep a log of stuff they are putting on the computer so I can easily look it over. Any suggestions are certainly welcome. Windows XP's choices of Adminstrator and Limited use levels are not helpful. Limited doesn't give them enough latitude and Administrator gives them too much. I did enable the McAfee's Privacy Service trial that came with the computer shortly before the poor thing became disabled and I hope that it might be one answer.
If I left out any pertinent information, please let me know.
TIA,
Tracy G.
It began having major difficulties after downloading Earthlink Total Access. We lost the taskbar including the START button. Thc icons on the desktop were intact but not all the shortcuts were usable. I found I could get to My Computer through the Recycle Bin. Unfortunately, Help and Support wasn't working.
I started trying to figure out what was wrong by running McAfee Virus Scan which came up with nothing. I tried deleting Earthlink TA (after which I found the Community board). I ran Dell Diagnostics which came up okay but I seemed to have lost sound somewhere. (It worked for the tests-twice.) I "repaired" Windows XP which got me back the taskbar and START button but obviously hasn't solved my poor computer's problems...when I restarted the computer, I lost them again.
I've copied all (I hope) important work and bookmarks to a CD or ZIP disk and I'm planning on re-installing the operating system. I have printed out the SuperSite for Windows section on Clean Install and Mr. Denham's page on Installing/Reinstalling, Microsoft's article on In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) and have my Owner's manual. I have limited computer knowledge - I received a final grade of 98 in a DOS 5.0 class at a community college when Windows 3.1 was new 8-) - but I think I can handle it. I do have a couple of questions.
I don't know anything about partitions. Do I need to, considering our simple needs?
What differences can I expect between the re-installed XP and the factory-installed XP?
I do understand that after I finish that I need to 1)install the drivers, etc. 2)enable the firewall and 3)get security updates from Microsoft.
After it's back up and running, I plan on having the children keep a log of stuff they are putting on the computer so I can easily look it over. Any suggestions are certainly welcome. Windows XP's choices of Adminstrator and Limited use levels are not helpful. Limited doesn't give them enough latitude and Administrator gives them too much. I did enable the McAfee's Privacy Service trial that came with the computer shortly before the poor thing became disabled and I hope that it might be one answer.
If I left out any pertinent information, please let me know.
TIA,
Tracy G.
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jmwills
2 Intern
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12K Posts
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February 13th, 2004 18:00
Sounds like you have really done your homework and I commend you for that. You can, however, limit the type of files and programs that any user can install.
I would highly advise that when you reinstall XP, that you separate the data from the OS by partitioning the drive. Drives will be listed on '000s of megabytes instead of gigabytes. So say if you have a 40 gig drive, make the primary partition (C Drive) about 15 gigs of 150000 megabytes and that will leave an unpartitioned space of 25 gigs on your drive. After XP is installed, you can go the Adminstrative Tools applet within the control panel, then to the Computer Management applet and then create an extended partition. One note, it will be named E because your CD Rom drive will occupy the D letter. Chnage the CD to F then change the E to D and then chnage the CD back to E to keep a logical order.
Redirect Your My Documents Folder to the D partition and you are now protetced against an OS re-install without losing data (but not a drive failure). Continue to use backup procedures.
Sadamson27
100 Posts
0
February 13th, 2004 18:00
Tracy G.,
Regarding installing your system drivers, see this dell document which details the order in which they should be installed.
gryjhnhpe
2 Intern
•
2K Posts
0
February 13th, 2004 19:00
I have shown the supersite link last as it assumes Clean Install status so doesn't include step to delete existing partition at step 5 & so achieve Clean Install status.
Use this link & select XP Home or PRO then method , ie: Used Hard Drive , Multi_Page has text & large pictures of Clean Install.
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/
Use this link for Clean Install of XP , if you click on Pictures they Expand for easy view
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html (Delete existing partition at step 10b for Clean Install)
or use this link ( *** Delete existing partition at step 5 for Clean Install ***)
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Clean Install deletes existing partition (like FDISK) & Formats HD during Install of Windows XP from XP CD.
Set BIOS to use CD-ROM as 1st boot device usually by pressing "F2" key during boot (startup),
for some Computers press "Del" key
Re-start Computer & when message "Press any key to boot from CD" shows do it & let subsequent messages "Press any key...." time out to Windows setup.
Tracy G.
15 Posts
0
February 14th, 2004 04:00
So...after I delete the existing partition(s) I'll get the same screen and designate a Primary Partition of a certain size? Is that right?
If not, where can I find out about partitions in language that I'll understand? I vaguely remember something about logical drives in my DOS class. (I had an IBM 386 with an 80MB hard drive and 4MB of RAM. We still have it, my 12 yo uses it. The hard drive sticks if it isn't used regularly. Ah, life was simpler then.)
I have an 80GB hard drive and my drives are currently designated as follows: A: floppy, C: hard drive, D: CD drive, E: CD-RW, and last but not least F: ZIP drive (external USB). What is a good proportion of partitioned:unpartitioned space? I spied a post on redesignating drive names, I'll go check it out. How do I "redirect My Documents" to the new drive after it's made?
Thanks, I think I'm almost ready to try.
Tracy G.
CRI_Rqrd
8 Posts
0
February 14th, 2004 04:00
The Elder Geek here has a good "understandable" explanation on how to partition during a clean install of XP. It includes large screen shots for every step.
Cee