For some reason unknown to me at this point in time I decided that changing my screen resolution would be a good idea. I moved the slide to the far right to give me the largest resolution available. The result was that my computer would start-up fine but the monitor was black when windows started up. To fix this problem I decided to reinstall xp home edition,why I didn`t just goto the safe start-up mode is something I have been thinking about for a week now. Now I have xp set-up [I already had xp,and xpsp2 loaded] not loading correctly. The message I`m receiving is as follows. "Please install cd labeled windows xp home edition service pack 1 into cd-rom". Another message I get is "The file `asms` on windows xp home edition service pack 1 is needed".
Everytime I start the computer it tries to load xp up. Xp is my only choice when offered a choice in recovery.
I would like to know if there is anyway of getting out of the loop I`m in.
The offending fingers that started this whole miserable process are hoping for an answer, if no answer is found the fingers will be hit repeatedly with a mallet [again].

damnsuicidalroos
Thank you for the best Laugh I have had this New Year.
I don't mean to make light of your problem but the visual picture I have in my head of you hitting your fingers with a mallet had me laughing out loud.
I wish I could help you but I have no knowledge of xp or how to fix it.
I just wanted you to know you were the best laugh I had all evening.
I hope someone can help you.
PF

Hello Roos

Did you use a full XP installation disk for reinstallation, or was it done using a recovery disk that restores the system and programs to the state they were when you first got the computer?

If you used an XP installation disk, I presume you did a repair installation rather than a clean one?

I'm not sure if that procedure makes a restore point before it overwrites anything but before thinking further, it might be worth taking a look at 'System Restore' to see if there's a restore point you can go back to that was made before anything went wrong.

P.S. How's the fingers?

Purple Fan and Tellywellies these fingers that are typing [quite a painful thing to do for bruised fingers]now are pleased to announce that after a brief struggle for control of the mallet we have managed to start punishing the real offender, roos has started wearing a helmet to protect the guilty brain[and to lessen the impact on innocent brick walls as well].
Tellywellies I did use an xp installation disk and I believe I did try a repair job first, though now I am going through a complete reinstallation process. The computer now turns the monitor off when it reaches 34 percent installation.
I cannot procede any further than I have at this stage and am back to using my old computer. Is there anyway forward that anyone is aware of? Is there anyway I can connect the two computers and retrieve some digital photos without the new comp being completly functional? Lol.......How do I enter DOS when starting up the new comp? And when I get into DOS what can I do to make things better? I don`t know how to system restore.
Cracks are appearing in the helmet btw.

Lol, and I`m losing it now, I meant command prompt I guess not dos.

Hi roos,

I'll try to save your brain (well, a bit!)

You can go to System Restore in the following way. Start->All Programs-->Accessories-->System Tools-->System Restore.

There select "Restore my computer to a earlier time" and click Next. Choose a Restore Point and click Next.

You can go to DOS by the following way.

1. Restart your computer.
2. When the machine first starts again it will generally list some equipment that is installed in your machine, amount of memory, hard drives installed etc. At this point you should gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with a menu.
3. When you have the menu on the screen. Select the option for Safe Mode With Command Prompt using the arrow keys.
4. Then press enter on your keyboard to boot into Safe Mode.

I hope those are correct.

Hope I helped,
Angi

Thanks for trying to help angi but I cannot get past the windows xp installation part, the only option I`m offered in safe mode start is windows xp, which will not install fully.
Tellywellies I don`t have the ability to start moving hard drives around but will research it and maybe give it a go. The monitor is working fine on this old comp I`m using and the old monitor is working fine on the new comp but it`s also shutting down at the same stage.
I may format soon, sadly.

Mmmmmmmmm,this is interesting. When I`m asked to insert the xp disc[I`m leaving it out so I can leave a blank cd in the cd-rom] I press shift and F10 and am taken to a box labeled "C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe". From here is it possible to actually do anything? I have typed "regedit.exe." and viewed "My Documents" but when I try to send "My Documents" to floppy I`m advised that the floppy I have hasn`t been formated, even though I have formated the floppy on this older machine[a few times] and the new broken comp can`t format it[though it does try].I`m unable to send any files to the cd at this stage.

I admire you persistance, Roos. Mine would be at the shop or on the tip by now

I have the time to muck around for a week or so Copago [I am learning new things] and have the older comp as a back-up........ Plus the money I save not taking it to a store or getting someone out will be donated to the tsunami appeal. Give till it hurts[as much as my fingers do].

The computer should be able to boot from the XP installation disk. Insert it before switching on. Read the screen as the computer boots up. A message will appear at the bottom saying to press any key to boot from the CD. So, press any key (if you don't get this option, you'll need to go into your BIOS and change the boot sequence so it will boot from the disk).

Go through the steps that come up until the installation options appear. Do you get the option to do a repair install? If so, you could try that.

I don't know how much info may have gone already, so it may not get you back in enough to start retrieving the situation but I think that's what I'd do if it was possible anyway.

Ok, thanks tellywellies I have booted from the installation cd and hit "r". What I have now in front of me [I have obviously had to choose installation 1 and have entered the admin password]is............
Microsoft Windows XP{tm} Recovery Console.
The recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

1: C:\WINDOWS
Which Windows installation would you like to log on to
(to cancel press ENTER)? 2 [Hehe ok so I didn`t like my choices at all]
Invalid selection. Please select a valid installation number.
1:C:WINDOWS
Which Windows installation would you like to log onto(To cancel, press ENTER)? 4 [one has never been my lucky number].
Invalid selection. Please select a valid installation number.
1:C:\WINDOWS
Which Windows installation would you like to log onto (To cancel, press ENTER)? 1 [like I ever had a choice about that]
Type the administrator password: xxxx
C:\Windows>

And that`s where I am now...........I did have some fun in the registry before though, I was able to open up and run some programs,including scandisk etc by pretending to export to them. I was able to also open my Camedia program and look at my photos but couldn`t actually send them to a floppy or cd.
Looking at the above[pre my babble about having fun] is there anything that I can do Tellywellies?
Btw there should be a smiley face for groveling.

Alea iacta est. I have started the format procedure and am watching it happen now.
The strangest event occured as I was entering the information though. I have my speakers on and a voice from the computer told me to take a stress pill then started on about how it could feel that its mind was going and how it could feel it going "I can feel it, I can feeeeeeeel it".
I was feeling pretty bad at this stage but to brighten things up the comp sang me a song that went something like ...."Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two."
Nice as the song was the flattery didn`t help the comps cause at all and I will be reinstalling a new copy of XP.

damnsuicidalroos:
I am glad you have hopefully found a cure for your problem.
As I now have a new PC with Windows XP I will be sure to learn from your Boo Boo.
I hope you have Burnt the mallet and given the helmet away.
I am looking forwards to hearing that your PC is now running as smooth as glass.
PF

Don't feel bad roos. Nobody tried harder than you to save your OS. You tried to tell it total erasure was always on the cards but it wouldn't listen would it? Anyway, it can now look forward to a rebirth.

Looking on the bright side, just think of the computer experience you're getting. Most of mine (as far as it goes) comes from messing things up to such an extent that, ultimately, starting again was the only answer ...and when it's done the OS will be in a squeaky clean condition.

Just one tip: Don't be too quick to reactivate XP with Microsoft. Get everything installed first, including all Windows updates. Then, if anything does go wrong during the installation procedures, you can always start again without worrying about overwriting the reactivation information.

You may read that there are ways of avoiding product activation by backing up a couple of files but this didn't work for me. System Volume Information comes into it somewhere. Anyway, I decided to just reactivate when the time came. There was no trouble with doing this.

Lol Purple Fan the only real cure is to not let my "fingers do the walking" on the keyboard.
Everything is running very smoothly thanks. The "souless" feeling that the comp has will end soon enough when I add a few pictures and themes. I have just about finished installing the half dozen or so software discs and windows updates are mostly done, including XP SP2. Burning the mallet might be a bit premature though........It`s a wise person that knows ones self I guess.
Tellywellies you are quite right. The comp had enough warnings to smarten up its act but it just wouldn`t fall into line. I did manage to save my pictures, I opened up registry and got into my picture program then snapped a few shots of each picture with a digital camera, the results were surprisingly good.
It has been an interesting learning experience. Lesson 1 [as pmed to me]. Make copies of anything important.

Quote:

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Just one tip: Don't be too quick to reactivate XP with Microsoft.

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Oops. . Lol, things are running smoothly though, everything in the comp is bleeding edge now. Faith in ones computer is a beautiful thing.

When you've installed all the software that you need, it might be a good idea to make an image of your harddisk, so that next time you can't control your fingers you'll have an easier way to fix your PC...