Re-installing XP. Thwarted within seconds.
 

I have been attempting to re-install XP for a friend on her HP Evo N1050v laptop.
Thus far the machine has only offered me the Recovery Console option and, in desperation, I have attempted to take that road. This requires me to use the administrator password. I did the original installation a couple of years ago and, to the best of my recollection, didn't create such a password. Incidentally, just pressing 'Enter' doesn't work in this instance. In an attempt to solve the problem, I went into the BIOS and created a new password. That doesn't work either.

Any ideas how I could get past this problem, Gentlemen, please?

N o t a

PS My favoured course of action would be to recommend a trip to the local supermarket with £300 in her purse. However, she works on a farm and isn't exactly well off, so I'd like to complete the job if possible.

Are you "installing" from a recovery partition, from recovery CD, or from Windows CD?

If from Windows CD then you should have the option to reinstall AFTER the option where you press "R" for recovery console no matter what.

Oh, the Admin password is nothing to do with the bios password. All you did was add a password to prevent someone from tinkering with the bios

Thanks, HB. That was quick!

I'm attempting an install with a Windows CD, full licence,etc.

After the preamble, I get:

1: C\WINDOWS

Which Windows installation would you like to log onto?

So, having entered '1' it then asks for the password which is where the fun begins, or possibly ends, depending on which way you look at things.

It's somewhat bizarre that I can't get straight into the 'Format' option.
I've even contemplated removing the HDD, hanging it on the end of the appropriate lead, and formatting it that way but given that it isn't my machine, I'm unwilling to delve.

Ta.

N o t a

ETA I don't get the option to press 'R'. The process just goes straight into the procedure outlined above.

What is this, a Windows 3.1 CD ?

I've never, ever been given a command prompt when doing a basic windows reinstall from a CD.

Sounds like a CD of dodgy origins..... :cool:

No, it's absolutely Kosher. I know because I bought and installed it.

She was given the machine some time ago but with no disks, (it didn't have a recovery partition) so when a re-installation was required she needed a Windows disk.
I've been through the procedure a time or two previously on this machine and I can't for the life of me remember what happened then.

N o t a

There appears to be an administrators password that can be set or cleared in the bios, it's in the security section. Mean while here's a download for the service manual:
http://www.elhvb.com/mobokive/edwin/...ebook%20PC.pdf

The other place to trawl through is : Compaq Evo N1020v - Tech Support Forum

Thanks gg.

The first page of the manual I looked at, was how to remove the HDD. If all else fails I might pursue that option. Although it is an old machine, I don't really want to start taking it apart, although HDD removal seems to be one of the less intrusive procedures.

Thanks again,

N o t a

Perhaps you could prepare a Linux disk to boot from the cd drive, then use Linux to copy the data files onto cd, dvd or usb drive before re-formatting the disk?

Are you sure that you are booting from the CD? 1: C\WINDOWS sounds as though it's reading a corrupt/altered master boot record on the hard drive. Try restricting the boot device to the DVD reader only in the bios and take it from there, I presume you've checked the CD works ok in another M/C.

That's exactly what I wouldd do. Boot up, press F8 to enter bios, set cd drive to be the first boot device, pop the disk in, save the bios changes & exit. The machine will reboot off the disk & off you go.

Yes, I'm definitely booting from the CD drive. Just checked it once again in the BIOS.
I've just used my own XP disk and proceedings halt at the same spot. That's after the files have loaded.

Just a few minutes before, I removed the HDD, connected it to an adapter and tried to format it by connecting it to another machine. That road was denied to me as I couldn't get the host machine to see the other drive.

Your efforts are appreciated, Gentlemen.

N o t a

Do you only have one computer in the household ? Might be worth trying a CD from another computer if you have more than one ? (as long as it's one of the gold OEM ones, not a branded restore one).

Yes, sorry mixture. Last response was somewhat hurried.
I've tried to use both my own XP disk* and the owner's.
Just for some clarification, the machine will boot up but it is as slow as a snail on crutches, so I thought I'd start from scratch.

N o t a

*Both are genuine Windows XP disks complete with gold hologram finish.

OK Gents, I think there's some progress.

I noticed, just before the repair option appeared, that there was the briefest of appearances of the screen inviting fresh installation or repair.

I booted from the CD once more and just managed to stop proceedings at the correct spot. The machine is now about 40% of the way through copying files.

I can't emphasise how brief was the appearance of the options screen.

Thanks again, chaps.

N o t a

Oh well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you !

Now that is strange, sounds to me like there's something not quite right with the keyboard, a sticky key or something, so it jumps straight to the repair console instead of giving you the option you found. That would also explain the problem with the WINDOWS admin password (NOT THE BIOS ADMIN PASSWORD) as the console would "see" something so what you think of as a blank bit of the screen isn't really because of that sort of issue.

I use XP to format for the very reason suggested for Linux type boots.

I've had quite a lot of problems formatting the C drive with Vista and W7. ~ XP does the job.

I then format it fully, using the intended OS.

Having several logical drives is so handy. BUT, HP's backup disc that one creates for a new machine, ZAPS THE :mad: PARTITIONS.

Still have not had a reply from HP on this issue, despite executive customer relations inviting me to send in my thoughts.

try these links...

Repair XP

Bootdisk.Com

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install

Thanks once again chaps.

On the final leg of installation now. As may be obvious, the large number of updates has slowed progress. I'm not sure about the processor speed, but I have a recollection that lack of RAM is behind the somewhat constipated nature of the machine. It's a couple of years since I last did a re-install on it and I'm pretty sure I told the owner that back then. I think I'll drop another hint that she should give serious consideration to replacing it. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that I investigated the possibility of installing more RAM but found that it was out of the question.
Before anyone else says it, my memory is somewhat lacking as well:\

N o t a

maybe just upgrade the ram...

Memory upgrades from Crucial.com - About Crucial:Media Toolbox

Thanks for that hint stuckgear.

The wretched machine is staggering its way through the installation of SP3 as I type.
I reckon it will be long past my bedtime when it finishes, so I'll give that a whirl tomorrow.

N o t a

Hi,

You must have some big problems with this machine !!!
Even on a slow PC .. one hour or little more is a standard time for installing XP SP3
More than 2 hours will be already considered as abnormal.
So methink you can not expect good use of this machine .. after your endless OS install .......

Spot on! It's old, very slow, lacks RAM and it's had a hard life on a farm.
With the best will in the world the owner has a somewhat 'agricultural' approach to technology.

On the other hand I wouldn't be able to lamb a ewe. :ooh:

N o t a

Down here in Oz I have now bought three laptops and one desk top from this place:

Computers - Technology - iShopTODAY

I have chosen to stick to Dell. The machines are ex lease and have been reconditioned by Dell themselves before re selling through 'ishoptoday'. The dearest, with postage, came in at about A$400.00, all with XP loaded. Obviously not a lot of help to you in UK but I imagine there must be similar online stores in UK or close by in other parts of Europe? Worth thinking about before you buy more RAM for an old machine, even if it will take it.

With ex lease machines you may get one that has worked for two or three years or you may get one that has sat and gathered dust, they usually have a 30 day warranty, a minimum of 1GB RAM and an 80GB hard drive, sufficient for most peoples needs who don't run large technical programmes etc.

Re buying a renovated machine from a good source, I can recommend an excellent UK firm. Can't advertise it on PPRuNe but has the same name as financiers J.P.******

OFSO

(or PM me if you don't follow the financial news)

Thanks pb and OFSO.

Yes, I've just been looking at various sites with ex-lease equipment, including that referred to by OFSO.

I think a few hints in that direction are what is required. I shall deliver them with all the tact and subtlety of a thousand bommber raid:eek:

ETA I've just subjected the machine to the crucial.com memory scan. (Thanks stuckgear)
It is equipped with a mighty 256mb of RAM. I suppose that shouldn't come as a surprise. It would cost about £60 to bring it up to a respectable 1Gb but given the limitations of the rest of the machine, that would be pretty pointless. There was a Dell leaflet in the newspaper this morning. I shall leave it under the lid of the laptop!

Here in Oz Dell will offer a not unreasonable hire-purchase scheme at reasonable interest rates, probably infinitely more reasonable in Europe at the moment!

There's always their Outlet:

Dell Outlet - Refurbished Computers/PCs: Laptops, Desktops & Servers | Dell UK