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My sister used some kind of cd that was suppose to "clean up" her computer. Now it doesn't work. It was a computer I had from work using Windows NT, but it is just a desktop now-no networking. All she needs is Windows and AOL. When she turns it on, she gets the old novell, cltl, Alt, Delete sign on request, but then a message pops up saying something about a service that failed and to check the event log. She can't do ANYTHING, check the log, etc. She tried installing Windows XP to override, but it didn't recognize the cd. I think I should just erase her harddrive and reinstall WIndows XP and AOL, but don't know how?! Do I need to do it from a DOS prompt? And how? Help!
Good advice here:
http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.php
It's geared to w98, but just follow the first bit to repartition, format etc.M2
Mechanix2Go@Golden-Triangle.com
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What do you mean "did not recognize the CD"? Was the computer's BIOS set to boot from the CD first?
I don't know how to make the computer's BIOS boot from the CD first! (bear with me, I'm not a complete newbie, but I'm no expert either!)
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If the BIOS is new enuff, you can set the boot order to boot from CD. When first booting, watch for instructions to enter BIOS. Usually Del or F10 or something.
In BIOS setup set the boot order to 1:Floppy 2:CD-ROM 3:HDD. Exit BIOS saving settings. Then boot with the WinXP CD in the CD-ROM drive. Easy from there.If your BIOS will not boot from CD-ROM, you can download the floppy set (six of them) from Microsoft for your particular version of WinXP, or other places eg allbootdisks.com has a download for the complete set. Also at allbootdisks.com is the floppies to load WinNT4 as your system may really be too slow for XP (what is the clock?).
Best
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Thank you all so much for your help! So far, I've created a bootdisk for both windows 98 and NT. I have Win 98, NT and WP, but since it is a home computer now, should I just install Win 98 and delete the NT? I don't know if I would have a problem putting in XP, first because its an older computer and second I was told you can't upgrade from NT to XP. Now, after I put in the boot disk, would I then just put in the Win 98 CD rom and follow the instructions?
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You say you have '98 bootdisk; you also have '98(SE?), NT and XP? XP should allow an Upgrade from '98 - but is the PC upto XP specs?
Depending on the age of the PC it may not be OK for XP. XP requires a P2-233MegHrz CPU (or late/faster) and at least 128Meg RAM (256+ is noticeably better...).
If this PC did run NT OK you could go back to it; go for a clean-start if at all possible? '98 should also go in OK. It all depends on what you want to do with this PC, and which OS you prefer to use, as to which way to go. Post back with details of PC specs (CPU/RAM) and also which OS you prefer to use - remembering that XP may "not" be an option if the PC specs are outside the minimum...
If going for '98 then a reformat will "almost" certainly be required (NT was probably nfts file format?). You will also have to remove the ntfs partition(s) first and then reconfiugre (recreate partitions on) the drive - prior to a (re)format (as fat32) for 98. If going for NT then post back - you can (should be able to) restore/install a fresh/working copy of NT - without reformatting the drive.
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