Re: XP Partition and OS Questions

71A6729B-9AE8-42EB-85C2-43F9A740E570@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Greatoutdoors <noname@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> I posted this on XP General, but thought it might be more
> appropriate here,
> so please bear with me.
>
> While using an XP Reinstallation Disk (OEM) for my Dell
> Dimension 4600 I
> found two partitions on my 40 GB drive, one large NTFS and
> one small FAT32,
> plus 8 MB of unallocated space. I deleted the two partitions
> and created one
> new NTFS. When I finished I still had the 8 MB of unllocated
> space. Bios said the new partition was maximum size. I only
> want a single partition.
>
> I reinstalled Windows XP Pro and SP2 (from a disk), and
> downloaded Norton Anti-Virus 2004, plus all Norton updates
> (kept repeating until it found
> none). I then tried to download Microsoft updates for XP but
> couldnâ??t do it â?? canâ??t download Active X either.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. On bootup, XP shows two OS's (identical). When I
> highlight the second it
> says it can't access it, but why is it still showing?
>
> 2. Windows never asked for an activation number. Why not?
>
> 2. Why the 8 MB of free space? (I have a 40 GB hard drive.)
>
> 3. Why canâ??t I download Microsoft updates? (I disabled
> Norton and Earthlinkâ??s Pop-up Blocker.

1. Check C:\Boot.ini and see what it shows for entries. Since 
you formatted your hard drive there should only be one 
operating system listed.

If you just want to fix the problem, do the following:
Go to Start -> Run and enter msconfig in the Open box. Click 
OK.
Click on the Boot.ini tab.
Hit the "Check all boot paths" button.
You should be asked if you wish to delete the invalid entry.

If you're looking for a second opinion on this issue, open your 
boot.ini file and copy and paste the contents into a response 
to this message. I'll take a look at it and get back to you.

2. You didn't have to activate because you used an OEM XP 
installation CD that's been customized by Dell to include a 
volume license key in this file, X:\I386\winnt.sif (where X is 
the drive letter associated with your CD Drive). When you use 
this CD on a Dell computer you don't have to enter a CD key or 
activate. Use the CD on another companies PC and you need to 
enter a CD key which can't be the key on the sticker that's on 
your computer. Use a non-Dell issued OEM CD on your computer 
and you'd have to enter the key from the sticker. I may be 
mistaken but I think this would mean you'd have to activate 
over the phone. Bottom line, don't lose that CD. Better yet, 
make a copy and put the original in a safe place.

3. First off, the small FAT32 partition probably held Dell 
diagnostic files. Removing this partition simply means you now 
have to insert a CD that came with your system if you want to 
run the Dell diagnostic programs.

As for the 8MB of unallocated space, I believe that when you 
format a drive NTFS Windows sets aside a small amount of space 
to be used if the drive is ever converted from a basic disk to 
a dynamic disk.

4. Go to Control Panel -> Internet Options and check what your 
settings for the Internet Zone are on the Security page. Look 
to see what the restrictions are for downloading and installing 
ActiveX controls by hitting the "Custom Level" button. You can 
reset to Medium level and see if you can access Windows Update.

If you're still unable to access updates, you might want to ask 
for assistance here:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windowsupdate

Good luck

Nepatsfan 


.
Loading