WinXP install problems (long)

[evil jose]

Friend of mine upgraded to IE 7 on her XP machine and it totally hosed it. Don't know the details but she asked me to format and reinstall the OS from the Restore CD. No biggie. Initially I had problems with the Restore CD missing files during the install. The first 2 or 3 times I swear it wouldn't find 4-6 files. Wasn't happy with that at all and I hated spending the time on reinstalls. Finally instead of doing the Quick Format I did the long one and only failed to load 1 file. Go figure... Any ideas on that?

The first 3 times I started going the Windows Updates and had no issues until I did the SP2 update. After installing SP2 IE, Windows Explorer, and Windows Update would not work. On the 4'th reinstall where I did the long Format I omitted the SP2 update (actually I tried it once and it failed unlike the previous times were it installed and I had problems afterwards) and everything worked fine except for one thing.

After doing all the Windows Updates, installing Firefox, Adaware, Clamwin AV, and a few other things; I noticed a problem while scrolling down long web pages (news articles, etc) where the scroll wasn't smooth and seemed jittery. I had this problem one time on a laptop that I formatted and reinstalled the OS and reinstalling the video driver cured it. I checked the Device Manager and it shows the problem I suspected.

http://www.dfwstangs.net/coppermine/albums/userpics/10134/device_manager.JPG

I could not get the video controller to update. I finally half ass fixed it by going into the Display Properties > Settings > Advanced and turned down the hardware acceleration from full to none and that seemed to fix the problems scrolling down long web pages.

I'd like to get all of these items working properly. She said she no longer has sound either and she did before I reinstalled. Is all this stuff onboard motherboard stuff? Any ideas how to get the proper drivers installed to get them working again?

[ceyko]

I'd hit the place that makes it web site. i.e. dell...etc. All those drivers should be readily available for download. Otherwise, we're going to need to know what the hardware is and the model PC.

Take care,

[lowthreeohz]

Indeed.

And i've never had a complete success witha restore cd. :mad:

[sp33dfr3ak]

did u remember to install the chipset drivers?

[evil jose]

Chipset Drivers?

Is there an easy way to identify what MB the computer is running without opening the computer? I no longer have access to the computer (gave it back already) but told her I would see if I could find some kind of easy solution.

[Hunt4m3x]

Is it a prebuilt machine like an HP or dell?

When you reboot, the mobo lists what it is and the version the bioz is.

[evil jose]

[QUOTE=Hunt4m3x]Is it a prebuilt machine like an HP or dell?

When you reboot, the mobo lists what it is and the version the bioz is.[/QUOTE]

It wasn't any kind of name brand computer. Totally forgot about that info showing on reboot (I have it setup on a KVM and on reboots I switch to my other computer and never bothered looking).

Do you have any suggestions on how to resolve this? Do you think it's some kind of drivers for the MB that I need to update or reinstall?

[The Big Matt]

if you were getting file missing errors on reinstall you have either a bad disc, a bad cd drive, or possibly a bad hard drive. I'd try a new XP disc and see if that helps.

As for the drivers, if you know the computer's model number, i.e. Dell Optiplex GX230, then go to Dell's website and download all of the drivers. Same with any other manufacturer. If it's a clone, then use some sort of harware discovery tool. That should tell you the models of all of the hardware in the PC.

[Hunt4m3x]

[QUOTE=evil jose]It wasn't any kind of name brand computer. Totally forgot about that info showing on reboot (I have it setup on a KVM and on reboots I switch to my other computer and never bothered looking).

Do you have any suggestions on how to resolve this? Do you think it's some kind of drivers for the MB that I need to update or reinstall?[/QUOTE]



ya. once you get the model of hte mobo, you can go type in goolge, then that will lead you to the manu site, which you can download the audio and etc.

if you want, the "legal" disc I use has sp2 and streamlined july updates into it.

[evil jose]

[QUOTE=Hunt4m3x]ya. once you get the model of hte mobo, you can go type in goolge, then that will lead you to the manu site, which you can download the audio and etc.

if you want, the "legal" disc I use has sp2 and streamlined july updates into it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks man, I'll see what I can dig up once I get that info. Appreciate the help.

[evil jose]

[QUOTE=The Big Matt]if you were getting file missing errors on reinstall you have either a bad disc, a bad cd drive, or possibly a bad hard drive. I'd try a new XP disc and see if that helps.

As for the drivers, if you know the computer's model number, i.e. Dell Optiplex GX230, then go to Dell's website and download all of the drivers. Same with any other manufacturer. If it's a clone, then use some sort of harware discovery tool. That should tell you the models of all of the hardware in the PC.[/QUOTE]

I had the same problem on a bare bones system. OS crapped out and I tried reinstalling and it kept missing files. Couldn't figure it out and I had a friend look at it and he told me the HD was bad. Never got around to putting a new HD on it so I couldn't verify that but that's what he told me. Guess I'll give that a try soon.

[cltgt]

I deal with this at work quite often. Goto www.microsoft.com
security and updates
select custom
that usually finds the missing drivers and installs them.

[evil jose]

[QUOTE=cltgt]I deal with this at work quite often. Goto www.microsoft.com
security and updates
select custom
that usually finds the missing drivers and installs them.[/QUOTE]

I'll have to give that a try if I get the computer back again.

[Sgt Beavis]

Start>RUN>MSINFO32
Any available system information will be there. The motherboard model MIGHT be listed under system summary or components. That information might also be shown in BIOS.

BTW, that's what you get for jacking with a Windows box. You ought to know better Macboy ;)