Re: Low level re-format and partionning of a disk drive under Wind

"dareys" <dareys@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:115BE0DA-4A8D-47C2-8F0D-401699F15B1D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I had forgotten that there is only one disk in the XP install,
something I
just used several times in the last six months, but on a different
machine. I
was not sure things would apply this time since I am working on
different
hardware.

Have you tried that particular disk yet? You mentioned you had tried it
on a different machine. Keep in mind that there are different types of
installation disks, and certain disks will not by design work on certain
PCs. For instance, a branded OEM installation disk will only work on
that brand of PC -- and maybe just on certain models.

What is the make and model of your PC? What kind of installtion CD were
you describing in the above paragraph?

I am also aware of repair installs and parallel installs both of which
I
have also performed, sometimes inadvertently, on other machines. As
far as
booting, I did configure the BIOS correctly. Thank you for the
reminder.

In any case, the disks that I have are an image of what was on the
computer
the time it was purchased. So, no it does not look like I have the
base
Windows XP CD that would be required for a fresh installation.

Is this image disk the same thing you were referring to in your first
paragraph? (I was confused!)

As far as repairs, I am done with that. This machine seems to be
compromised. Sound drivers disappear at will for example, and I have
re-installed them over half a dozen times. I really want to reformat
and
start from scratch.

Are you able to identify the specific malware infections your PC
experienced? Or do you just *believe* it was infected because of your
sound card driver issue? I ask because it's possible your PC was never
compromised. Then again, the opposite is also possible. :-)

Data is not the problem. I have backups of that. I need a stable
system. I
have spent more time fixing equipment than using it for what I need
it. In
any case, if you really think I should post the manufacturer and
model, let
me know.

That's great that you back up your data.

Yes, by all means, let us know the make and model of your PC and the
type of license you have. (I assume it's an original branded OEM
license).

For what it's worth, using your image disk (i.e., recovery or restore
disk or whatever the manufacturer calls it) *will* result in a fresh
install -- just as fresh as if you borrowed someone's generic OEM
installation disk and performed a clean install (including a format).
(Okay, you might have obnoxious trial programs installed on top of the
fresh install, but's it's still a fresh install nonetheless, and the
system would be just as stable.) If you used your recovery disk to
return your PC to its out-of-the-factory state and you still have
problems, it means you definitely have a hardware issue. You can test
that hypothesis if you wish by trying any other method to lay down a
fresh install. I'm sure you will always wind up at the same ending. :-)

My guess is you need to replace your sound card. Or perhaps there's just
an issue of configuring the BIOS properly to recognize the type of sound
card you have (onboard or PCI). So, I would try that first.

In addition to the newsgroup I mentioned in the other post, you may want
to bookmark this Web page:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot


.

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