xp problem

my computer was messing up really bad so i wanted to reinstall xp3. my computer came with it installed so i tried to do the recovery thing but it wouldn't let me, just kept having this error message no matter what. So i got a copy from this guy on a disk and installed it, it still runs like crap and apparently a lot of registry and other important stuff is missing including java. and i lost the disk anyway. so i got another disk from a different friend, but it wont let me install because its sp2. can u help me?

its hp pavillion a1113

 

oh and its also doing the no audio device thing. installed all the fixes from microsoft to no avail, it keeps freezing and all of that.

 

when i went into recovery it would start up and then syop and have an error message saying it couldnt do recovery. i cant tell you what error message because i already installed the new disk of xp3.

 

The first install did not go well and XP was not running correctly (slow with errors).

So now you want to install XP SP2 from the disc from your second friend.

What error do you get when trying to install? Do you get as far as it asking which partition you want to use for the new installation?

 

it wont install sp2 because it says it cant because i have a later edition installed already. i dont know what the original recovery error was because ive already installed the sp3 disk that sucks, and i didnt write it down.

 

ok. i have a laptop in which the recovery worked and it runs great now. is there any way i can copy windows off of it and install it on my desktop and use the desktop product key to activate it?

 

You can't copy Windows off your laptop and put it on your desktop.

The Windows SP2 CD should not care about whether or not you have a later version installed.

Can you give a screen by screen description of what you see when trying the SP2 disc?

Inspecting Hardware
Copying Files
Restarting
__Now what happens__?

 

ok i put the disk in. The screen comes up says what do you want to do?
I click install. Window pops up says: Setup cannot continue because the version of windows on your computer is newer than the version on the cd.
To erase the newer version and install the older, restart, boot from cd, and follow the instructions.


So i even tried that but my computer wont let me boot from cd. it just starts windows and does its thing.

 

What should I do?

 

You need to enter the BIOS at ootup and configure it to allow the computer to start from the CD before trying the hard drive.

The first screen you see after starting you computer should have some writing across the bottom saying "Press <key> to enter the BIOS". Press whatever key it specifies repeatedly until you get into the BIOS. Then under "advanced settings" (or similar) there should be an option for "boot order". Enter this and use the specified keys at the bottom of the screen to move CD-ROM to the top of the list, or at least above HDD.

If you cannot find the correct location post back with the BIOS name written across the top of the screen.

 

Exactly, should be easy enough. And you enter the BIOS by tapping F2 on startup, sometimes requires more than one try. Just start tapping when you turn it on.

 

In the case of the HP Pavillions the key is F1 not F2. Keys vary based on manufacturer and model series.

 

I tried to explain that in #9 that it wont let me go to the bios. Ive tried several times and it just loads windows anyway.

 

Sorry about that, it is the F1 key. Sometimes instead of tappiing it if yu press and hold it down it might work. You could also try resetting the BIOS by removing the battery and leaving out for at least 10 minutes. Or, depending on your board, there may be a jumper you can use to clear the bios, but try the battery thing first.
In any case, to progress you need to boot from the CD.

 

press delete to enter bios!..when your comp starts keep pressing it wont do any harm .then i think you wont the bios settings follow the on screen instructions your mouse wont work so use up down left right keys and press enter/esc keys to select whare you wont to look!you should see advaced bios and just bios its one of thoes 2 ,bin a while cant remeberthen select boot divice ..boot from CD should be first boot!!!!! .put your install CD in and restart,it should outo create a new partion but if not dont install anouther, as you go throo the install you should get the opption to deleet old ,IM NO EXPERT but i hope this helps

 

Try hitting F10 repeatedly and immediately when you see the HP splash screen. What options do you see? You may see recovery options or you may see BIOS options. If you haven't tried the recovery options read the screens to see if they might help. If you see BIOS/Setup options look for Boot Order and make sure CD comes before HD in the list.

 

Will your friend let you install your drive as a slave in his machine? If possible, use Disk Management to delete the partition on your drive, format( full, not quick ) remove and reinstall in your machine.
Good to go on installation.

 

not that good of a friend. is there any way i can do that with my laptop?

also i finally got into the bios, set the disk to top priority and it still didnt run.

 

can anyone tell me how to make it boot from disk. i went to bios and set it and it still wont work

 

If you did make the BIOS change, boot first from CD/DVD, and it is not booting from the install disk, either the DVD drive is bad or the install disk is, probably the latter.

Can you test the disk with a different machine? Or, you can make a boot disk"

http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/12/avira_antivir_rescue_system.html
UBCD4Win
http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page
http://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=1&front_id=12

Any one of those links will get you there.:wave

 

I'm no expert but 2 things i did not see mentioned in the thread are:

If you mess up and do not hit F1 fast enough, you can hold down ctrl+alt+delete to hotboot, and MAYBE you can use a boot disk from a friend if you have a floppy drive.

 

i noticed the disk is pro and mine is home will that keep it from working? i tried to load it anyway and it said my key for win was invalid.

 

Yes, you need a copy of XP home to reinstall on an Xp Home prodct key.