Okaaaay.

[goneinsane.livejournal.com]

Yeah its me again. I tried running the recovery program but it freezes. Tried installing the XP, not enough diskspace. Now this is where I need the most help:

The exact problem is since I got my DSL my desktop, I haven't been able to run the programs, or the My computer applications from the start menu. However, right clicking and hitting explore seems to the trick.

Now the most help really comes here: How do I reformat? Can someone explain it like you're explaining it to an idiot? Cuz I tried what everyone said and I was so lost with it. If someone can help me fix this piece of junk I will name my kids after you, swear ;D.

Edit: If you wanna quick help me, I have AIM (ZimsNumberOne) and now I just tried exploring the thing and the screen flashed blue saying like "Windows, if you ctrl+alt+delete agian, blah blah"

Oh speaking of that, Ctrl alt delete doesn't work either.

Comments

[inahandbasket]

just so you know, if it hasn't been mentioned, this community is for people who work tech support to bitch about our jobs.
It is not a community for getting tech support.
cheers.

[goneinsane.livejournal.com]

Well, sorry. I asked one of my friends if she knew any places on LJ to get it and she gave me this place.

[psmylie.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify, techsupport is meant for amusing/frustrating/scary stories about supporting users, tech_support is for actual technical support, and hardware is specifically for hardware questions. But I'd still like to help you if I can (short of installing anything from AOL on my beloved machine).

Sounds like you're having a hard time with that install. So, you are trying to upgrade from an earlier Windows OS to XP. I assume you are installing off of a store-bought Windows XP Home or Pro, correct? Did you buy the upgrade or full version? The full version is easier to work with, but either should be usable.

Do you have everything backed up off of your current build? No matter how you go forward, at this point you really want to protect your data, if possible. If you haven't backed up yet, do so (or you will hate yourself if this install goes "Foom!" and your data goes away). Be very careful not to forget anything, because there is no going back after you format it and install XP.

Ok, this is all from memory, but I'm pretty sure this is close:
First thing you want to do is boot off of the CD. That's the best way to do this. If it doesn't boot to the CD on startup, you will need to set your CD as a startup device in the BIOS (check with your computer's manufacturer to find out how to do this. It's usually pretty easy).

After booting to XP, there should be an option to delete the current partition during setup, or to just format the current partition. You don't need to delete the partition unless you really feel like it. Just go ahead and format it (after ALL of your data is backed up, either on CD or on a different computer. I can't stress that enough!). I recommend making the partition NTFS, but use whatever you like. Then continue with the install.
Just read each screen carefully and follow the instructions. It should get you there.

Of course, you will need to reinstall all of your software and copy everything over from your backups, but you should be good to go after this. Oh, and run the Windows Update and install all of the Critical Updates and Service Packs as soon as you get that puppy online. There are some pretty big holes that need patching.

Feel free to ask questions if you are stuck/confused. Although going to tech_support instead of here with further questions will probably net you better results.
Good luck!

[oddball42.livejournal.com]

2 things, if you are to the point of reformating, when you install xp there will be an option where you choose a partition when you choose that partition you have the option of formatting it, the main trick is you need to boot from the WinXP cd.

and yes this is technically not a tech sopprt forum, but as it is a large group of geeks thaty work support it is a logical assumtion.

i generally give help to people coming here because you are at least trying to learnsomething and solve the problem, ultimately i was doing the same thing once a long time ago, i didnt have any help, and really think if someone is willing to learn then ill help them.

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, most of us know how to talk to 1users, I mean not technically qualified people, like they're idiots. The problem is, most technically qualified people would rather have a hot poker shoved in their eye than use an AOL product like AIM. No, we pretend that AOL never bought Mirablis and run ICQ. Go to the library and check out PC Maintenance for Dummies or Complete Idiots Guide to Fixing Your #$%@ PC. Better yet, go out and bye a Mac, they're made just for Idiots people like you who aren't computer savvy.

[oddball42.livejournal.com]

actually i would consider myself technically qulified, and i use aim, mostly because about 60% of the people i want to talk to online are on aim, what i do however is use trillian to avoid the aim client

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Ok, point taken. I should not have used so broad a brush, since I painted myself as well because I also use Trillian because of people who want me to chat with them over AIM, which I'd rather shove hot pokers in my eye than use.

[oddball42.livejournal.com]

hehe.. in all honesty there are no non-evil chat mediums anymore. they are all of the devil...

need to make one for geeks... wait there allready is.. irc... wich is evil of its own...

[rhonan.livejournal.com]

Oh hell, I'll throw you a bone. Before you reinstall, do you Jupiter or xupiter or anything like that installed? If so, that's probably the problem. I did a reinstall for a guy who's computer was acting just like that. And it worked fine until the fscking idiot reinstalled Jupiter. Fscking idiot had to pay me for a second install and tune. I can't wait 'till he has another bright idea.

[hoffman-log.livejournal.com]

MAGNET

_MaH

[inahandbasket]

me thinks we need a LART, stat!