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@Jim5 wrote:

So, like a Dumy I went for the SP2 beta download. It installed, and now upon power up, I get the "I'm sorry

screen " Windows can't do right, do you want to start in the safe mode, ect. or do you want to start windows in the last know good configuration.

Windows will start, but it takes forever, once started all seems to operate fairly normally. But there is pain in the wait.

I was too dumb to create a full back up, but I do have all addditons I have made in a download file.

If I decide to bite it, how should I restore the 'as shipped software'? Can I do that with the Dell provided Windows disk? 

I will have to update a bunch of changes to SP1 and IE6, so it will ltake a while. I earned that.

Or, can anyone guess that  the final SP 2 release will cure the problem?

Can't you use the last known good config?  Or is that what isn't working?  How about your last Restore Point?  Did you make one before updating?

Yes last known config is what Windows opens with after the long delay. Restore points have no impact on the configuration, my understanding from Microsoft is that Sp2 can't be unistalled, that's why I think I have to start from scratch or wait for the final SP@ release, but I feel that's jsust another gambol.

So do you recommend I begin anew, and what steps should I take?

tks for your response.

This won't help you now, but I downloaded the SP-2 RC-2 Version 2162 on a web site to a disk, reformat the hard drive, and  re-installed windows and everything is just fine.  The newest version, 2162 for me is very stable and have had no problems at all.  Don't know what happen to your download and install, but it does look as if you will have to do a reformat and reinstallation.

SR

Dell Dim 4400 ( Purchase June 2002 )
2.6 ghz (Upgraded from 1.7 ghz)
400 Mhz bus
512 Mb DDR 2100 Ram
Windows XP Home SP-2 RC-2
Roadrunner Cable modem
17 Inch Dell 1703 FP monitor
15 Inch NEC 1560 NX LCD
Dell sound bar for monitor
Microsoft firewall  SP-2 RC-2 Version 2162
AVG 6.0 Free edition anti virus
Gainward Nvidia Ti 4200, 128 Mb video card
USB 2.0 and 1.1
48 X CDRW SAMSUNG SW-252S
Bios A06
APC CS 500 UPS Back up
250 watt (345 max) power supply

Message Edited by Thirdrockfromsun on 07-26-2004 07:58 PM

I don't know if this will help in your situation (SP2) but you can read the instructions and decide if you want to procede. I have not tried this procedure but it comes from a respected source. Read all the warnings first. If you're going to re-install anyway, I don't see how it could hurt if you follow all the instructions:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Tks, How do I reformat, and reinstall?

Assuming that yu chose to archive when you installed, why not just uninstall the SP2 beta? See

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2wuins.mspx

quote:

If you selected the option to archive service pack files when you installed SP2, you can use Add or Remove Programs to remove SP2 and restore your computer to its previous state.

To remove Service Pack 2 by using Add or Remove Programs:

1.
 Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
 
2.
 Click Add or Remove Programs, click Windows XP Service Pack 2, and then click Remove.
 
3.
 Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.