Re: Reinstalling XP Home

From: Rocket J. Squirrel (rocky_at_bullwinkle.com)
Date: 04/20/04 

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 16:01:57 -0400

If you're worried about the hard drive running continuously, you needn't
worry. In the first place, hard drives are very reliable, and in the second
place, it's unlikely that your computer has been running flat out for the
past 24 hours. More likely, it's waiting for something to happen, then
taking the next step, then waiting...

Something to consider: Your computer may be overheating. Does it sound
unusually loud to you? Installing Windows is very processor intensive and
that generates a lot of heat. If your computer is situated in a warm or
inadequately ventilated place, or if the insides are filled with dust, your
computer may be halting as it waits for itself to cool down.

If you think your computer may be overheating, then you should consider
stopping the install. If your components are destroyed by heat, you're
looking at a long time in the dog house. Otherwise, as long as the install
is proceeding, you may as well let it try to work itself out. When Windows
finally does install, you will be able to use its many tools to diagnose
what went wrong. If you kill it now, you may lose this ability.

If the install stops altogether, or if you feel that you really want to stop
it, post back asking specifically what to do, and someone who knows about
this will answer. I've never had that happen to me, so I'm not familiar with
the established protocol for what to do that poses the least threat to your
computer.

Rocky

"Craig" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1b8801c4270c$6d2af880$a601280a@phx.gbl...
> THnaks Rocky! You really made me feel better. In fact, I
> just got a call from my wife and the status has moved
> to '5 minutes remaining' and the status bar has moved
> another quarter inch. So it does seem to be working.
> (just very slowly)
> I know I screwed up on the not backing up part. I have
> already told myself to commit to a scheduled backup
> excercise in the future.
> One more question- since it took about 6 hours to go
> from '6 minutes remaining' to '5 minutes remaining' should
> I really let this thing run for another 24+ hours to
> complete? Will the hard drive last that long. The computer
> is only about 4 months old. (Celeron 2.4G)
>
> Thansk again Rocky. I really do feel like I may be able to
> move back into the house soon!.
> >-----Original Message-----
> >A reinstallation of Windows XP does not affect your saved
> documents,
> >spreadsheets, photos, etc. A reinstallation installs
> Windows over itself,
> >which doesn't touch the My Documents folder. Reinstalling
> does create new
> >user accounts, so initially it will seem as if all your
> old documents are
> >gone. But have no fear - all you need to do is to 'take
> ownership' of your
> >old folders.
> >
> >"HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP"
> >http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
> us;308421&Product=winxp
> >
> >As for why your reinstall is taking so long, that could
> be for any number of
> >reasons, but as long as it's still alive I would not halt
> it. Let it run to
> >completion and then see what you have.
> >
> >One thing you should always do before reinstalling
> Windows is to backup
> >everything that is important to you. As soon as Windows
> is installed,
> >disconnect yourself from the Internet and backup
> everything that matters.
> >Something is going on with your computer, and you don't
> want to lose
> >anything while you're trying to fix it.
> >
> >Backing up often will keep you away from the dog house.
> >
> >Rocky
> >
> >"Craig" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message
> >news:1b5a01c42706$c9a13990$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> >> I made a terrible mistake. My computer came with Windows
> >> XP installed from Gateway. For some reason (I'll still
> >> cursing myself) I put in the XP Home *** that came with
> >> the computer and chosse to reinstall XP Home. I had one
> >> choice to make- either a new install or a Upgrade
> install
> >> that also had the word "(recommended)". It said this
> >> option would keep the current files and documents
> >> preserved. So I chose the Upgrade install.
> >>
> >> It told me the process would take about 51 minutes. It
> >> worked smoothly to about '14 minutes remaining'. Then it
> >> hung up. After about an hour is started again and got
> down
> >> to '9 minutes remaing'. By midnight last night it was
> down
> >> to '7 minutes remaining'. I woke up this morning and it
> >> was stil at '7 minutes remaining', but while looking at
> it
> >> is moved to '6 minutes remianing'. So as you can see, it
> >> is working, but super slow. I called my wife at lunch
> and
> >> it was still at '6 minutes remaining' but at least the
> >> progress bar had moved about a quarter inch show more
> >> progress.
> >>
> >> I'm concerned becuase the harddrive has been running
> >> constant for about 18 hours now. What should I do. The
> >> inportant thing are the existing documents on the
> >> computer. My wifes final paper for school is on there
> and
> >> it is due next week. I'm already sleeping in the dog
> house
> >> for this, and I really don't want to completely move
> out.
> >>
> >> My question is, should I shut it down and re-start? Will
> >> my files still be there? That is the most important
> >> question. She needs those files for next week and here
> >> finals at school. Please help.
> >>
> >> Craig
> >
> >
> >.
> >

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