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WinXP question(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Rune
I have to help someone "long distance" (ie I can't be in front of their computer) who's having WinXP problems and needs to reinstall it ... and I'm not as familiar as I'd like to be with WinXP.
The problem is that before the (re)installation of windows, the hard drive needs to be reformatted and a scandisk run because of possible bad sectors. Now my question is: How do you format and fdisk with WinXP with the WinXP CD? I mean do you need a startup disk like with 98? Are the options on the CD that you can run from DOS? How is it done?
She took her PC to a local repair place that is telling her "new HDD: $99 for a 40GB, plus $90 labor" ... and "purchase of WindowsXP for $120 and install" (because it was one of those "package built" HPs that comes with NO Windows CD - just a "recovery" thingie in a hidden partition ... so if you get bad sectors in the hidden partition ... you're screwed and you have to go BUY Windows according to them.) Personally I think they're taking a "let's not troubleshoot ... let's just take the 'this will DEFINITELY fix it' approach even if it means a brain replacement to cure a headache". 
I told her that what they're telling her is not IMPOSSIBLE ... but probably the most expensive fix to the least likely cause. 
I also told her it'd probably be cheaper to ship it to ME and I'LL fix it and ship it back. 
Posted by: gen0c1de
by putting the CD in and letting the computer boot off of it, the first few sets will format and scandisk it for you ... you just need an xp cd, and a phone call while she is doing this would be the best bet
Posted by: Rune
quote:
Originally posted by gen0c1de
by putting the CD in and letting the computer boot off of it, the first few sets will format and scandisk it for you ... you just need an xp cd, and a phone call while she is doing this would be the best bet
Cool. That's what I was hoping is that at most I'd have to walk her through changing her BIOS setting to boot from the CDROM, then just stick in the XP CD and the rest would be self-explanatory with me on the phone as "backup" 
Thanks.
Any idea what WinXP Home is going for now? $70 - $80?
Posted by: Xeno
quote:
Originally posted by Rune
Any idea what WinXP Home is going for now? $70 - $80?
Last I checked, $78-$90 OEM if purchased online with any piece of hardware.
Posted by: Ithaqua
If it's a hidden partition based recovery with bad sectors in there junk the quickrestore CD, it's as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
That said, for a LOT less than retail XP HP will sell you a set of REstore CDs that reinstall the lot, XP, drivers, preinstalled SW , everything. Unless it's 1st yr warranty, then they're a freebie if i remember right.
Which model is it? You never know, might be a way round the problem.
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