Re: Missing/Corrupted OS?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Thanks for your help, I do appreciate it. Unfortunately, these are the
answers I expected. I am curious to know, though..What is the Diagnostic and
Recovery Toolset download used for and would it be of any help at this stage?
--
Peace, Love, Harmony, and a Blessed Day to all.


"Bob Harris" wrote:

PLAN A:

Your best bet for a cheap replacement is to contact Microsoft with the PC
info, including maker, serial number, and a short history.

They might offer you a break on a replacement OEM XP CDROM. But,
technically, it really is not their problem, since the deal with OEM
software is that the OEM supports it (or no one), except possibly for
something like the free security patches that Microsoft offers to everyone.

PLAN B:

If no help from Microsoft, then the next option is to buy a new copy of XP.
Do not attempt to copy XP from a different computer, it probably will not
boot without a "repair installation", which requires an XP CDROM. And, even
if it did boot, product activation would stop it from running in a few days.
An OEM copy of XP home is about $100. But, it is limited to the hardware on
which it is first installed. A retail copy of XP home is about $200, but
can be moved to another PC, but only one PC at a time.

PLAN C:

Install something other than XP. There are several free LINUX versions, or
you might look for a CD for 2000 or even 98, depending on the hardware and
whether you can find drivers for it. Unfortunately, if the primary purpose
of the PC is to play modern games, these may require XP.

PLAN D:

Dump the PC and buy a low-end PC from Dell or similar, which would include
and operating system. I think that Dell still offers XP. Avoid Vista, you
you will need to buy more expensive hardware just to get Vista to work as
well as XP. Be aware that at some point trying to fix an old PC might
actually cost more than a new one, and still leave you with an old PC. And,
also consider that software is often more expensive than the hardware (e.g.,
XP retail + MS Office full version + antivirus + CD/DVD writing software etc
> $700.) Of course, there are some free alternatives to almost all software
that will work under XP (e.g., open office, AVG antivirus, deepburner-free,
etc). And, the same is true under LINUX.

General sources of free or cheaper programs:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/ Check "files" by category on left of home
page.
http://www.frozentech.com/content/livecd.php LINUX CD imges that can run
"live", from the CD; some can also be installed.
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/index-en.html Very large CD (or now DVD)
image of a LINUX system; complete with applications

"Princess" <Princess@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:88B0228A-6D65-4D6D-9A5B-5CF45E4457E5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My friend has a system w/XP Pro(2000) upgrade that was given to him w/o
the
disks. He is not computer savvy (lhe's actually a computer menace) and in
his
eagerness to download video games has encountered a number of problems;
namely, adware, spyware, trogans, keyloggers, etc. I'm not sure if this is
the state that he inherited it in, but firewall, anti-virus, drivers, disk
mgmt., wizards and the like were all 'hidden and/or read-only'. I was
able
to clean up/find missing and renamed files and got his system back to a
minimal functional state. However the system still needed to be scanned,
backed up, etc. I asked him to leave it alone until I returned and was
able
to re-install anti-virus and ensure that the firewall wasn't corrupted. I
cannot explain what event occurred that caused a system failure, but he
mentioned doing Microsoft updates, and the system froze. Of course, I
tried
to do a 'last good config', but the system had already been forced off
more
than once. I was able to download the floppy boot disks and to format the
floppy drive as the 1st boot device, however I haven't any install cd to
do a
clean install. Nor can I access the original OS partition.
After hours of searching MS website for a replacement cd, I am unable to
find any
way to obtain one unless it's for an OEM version supplied by vendor/repair
no longer in business.
I do own a system w/XP Pro as well, but my disks are buried somewhere, so
I
can't use them. Could I copy my system files to use on his? If so, what
product key would he need to use on his so that he can get updates? Or...
Any suggestions on how resolve this issue that I may not have thought of
or
tried?
Sorry this was so long!
--
Peace, Love, Harmony, and a Blessed Day to all.



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