This post is more than 5 years old
52 Posts
0
36420
Win XP Media Center Edition - (ver 5.1)SP3 is corrupted in Dimension E310
Huge Problem. A lot of WIndows files missing. Most functions/programs don't work or launch. System restore not functioning etc. etc. I don't have the original OS install disk, if there was one. But a couple of years ago Dell sold me a reinstallation DVD Win XP Media Version 2005 with Update Rollup 2. The disk says "already installed on your computer. I ordered it thinking it would fix some file issues back then but it never worked - saying this isn't the same XP version on your PC. So I gave up-untill today. I tried the DVD today and it appears that it might be able to install a complete (but older) edition of win xp on my machine. If I succeed will I lose all of my existing programs,documents etc etc. Thanks in advance..
Philip_Yip
7 Technologist
7 Technologist
•
16K Posts
0
August 17th, 2013 12:00
The disc is the same as the original disc that would of came with your system.
The XP Media Centre Edition DVD does not contain Service Pack 3 as the Media Centre components installer does not function if Service Pack 3 is slipstreamed.
Likely you will get the error that your XP installation is newer than the installation disc if you try to use the installation disc to repair it.
You are best to clean install (you will lose all programs and files) and then install the standalone Service Pack 3 after Windows is installed.
See Windows Reinstallation Guide/A Clean Install of Windows XP (page 209) for more details:
http://philipyip.wordpress.com/dell-community-forums/
Note if you do have files to recover files see page 413 Data Recovery of the Hard Drive using Fedora before proceeding with the clean installation.
DELL-Babita S
1.3K Posts
0
August 17th, 2013 05:00
Hi Littleneil,
If you are facing start-up issues, you may try a Repair installation of Windows XP. If you are able to boot to Windows, back up all important data on an external storage device prior to attempting the steps mentioned in the link below to avoid data loss.
Link for performing Repair Installation of Windows XP: http://bit.ly/1642ArK
If this does not help, click on the link below for steps to install Windows XP
For installing Windows XP using OS Disk: http://dell.to/18OJ0CG
Please go through the steps mentioned in the links above prior to beginning re-installation. Also, if you have never reformatted the hard drive earlier, you can try to restore the system to factory settings by clicking on this link: http://dell.to/11I8IlP .
Important data, if not saved previously, will be lost on performing this action.
Let us know if further help is needed.
Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell
For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .
littleneil
52 Posts
1
August 17th, 2013 18:00
Thanks. I played around with the disk for half the day attempting to repair the existing version of XP- and failed. The process kept telling me I had to validate the install before I logged in and I was unable to do that--and I'm not ready (yet) to try a clean reinstall. HOWEVER, I restored a recent full system backup onto the machine using a third party rescue disk and I've got my PC back again --almost. I still CANNOT get IE 8 to work worth a toot. Seems to work OK if I open without helpers but other wise it doesn't. I've reset back to defaults --no dice. I think I'll look at FireFox.
DELL-Babita S
1.3K Posts
0
August 20th, 2013 06:00
Hi Littleneil,
Thank you for your reply.
Please click on the Microsoft links below to troubleshoot the issue you are facing with Internet Explorer 8.
Troubleshooting Internet Explorer: http://dell.to/1cWXqDL
Error occurs when using Internet Explorer 8: http://dell.to/1d2g8sX
Please reply if you have further queries.
Thanks and regards,
Babita S
#iworkforDell
For easy access to drivers, manuals and product updates, please visit our Support Site .
Dell Community will be performing site maintenance between August 21st and August 23rd, 2013. You may also reach us on Facebook and Twitter for Support.