[RESOLVED] Deleting Dual Boot and Reinstalling XP Pro problem

[slickcondo]

Hi,

I hope someone here can help. A few days ago, I turned on my spare Fujitsu P7010 laptop and a error screen showed up saying something like
"A problem is detected and Windows has shut down to prevent damage to my computer, If this is the first time you see this message.........." Then on a new line, it says DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
Technical info:
STOP:0x000000D1 (0xEBCE8366, 0x0000002, 0x0000001, 0xF8399FOF
NDIS,YSY-address F8399FOF base at F83810000, Datestamp 41107ec3
beginning dump of physical memory
physical dump memory completed
contact system admin for..........

This has never happened before and from the error message, it seems to say that I have installed a new software to cause this problem and I should delete the new software. But I have not installed any new software. So, this is what I did next....

I inserted my backup copy of my Enterprise Edition of Windows XP Pro SP1 (I lost the original copy), hoping it will boot and do a fresh reinstall. It booted up, and started copying some files to the hard disk. Then is asked for the product key. But when I input the key, it says it is a invalid key !!! However, I have used the same disk and key code several times in the past without any problem.

In any case, it proceed to complete the installation and gave me 30 days to register my Windows XP Pro with SP1. But when everthing is installed, I noticed that many programs were not copied to the hard disk. Only a handful of the program were installed. But the laptop worked and I can also go on to safe mode.

I then tried to resolve the 30 days registration problem and had a copy of my friend's XP Pro with SP2 inserted and run. It let me input my friends key code and accepted it, but then it didn't went any further, but keep asking me to insert the original XP disk which I do not have. So the installation stopped there, but the 30 days registration disappeared as it says the code was accepted. (I seems to accept my friends key code for me to use with my SP1 version)

But when I restart my latop, it came up with 2 boot menu - Windows XP Pro with SP1 and Windows XP Pro with SP2 Setup and both on the same C drive.. I lost any partition it was there, so only C drive is present with D drive as my CD disk drive. ( D Drive used to be my second partitioned hard drive)

Judging from the boot menu, it seems Windows Pro with SP2 is not installed and is still waiting to be setup. So I use the SP1 boot to start Windows. But I didn't like the dual boot option and wanted to reinstall. I treid to format C from the A prompt by typing Format C: but it won't let me as it says C drive is the operating drive and cannot be formatted.

Can anyone help to explain
1) why suddenly my XP with SP1 key code no longer work and
2) how do I reformat my drive and to start a fresh reinstall.

A friend told me that a complete reformat of my hard disk may resolve the XP SP1 code non acceptance problem and I would like to try it given that as it stands, my laptop is not a full working one with lots of accessories and functions missing and only the basic ones being installed, including Internet Explorer and associated internet capabilities.

Many thanks for the help and apologies if this is a long "report" of the problem. Thanks for taking the time to read it and for any help you can give. My knowledge of computer is just about average, so please use simple plain instructions. Thanks

[SpywareDr]

Just as an FYI, Windows XP SP3 fixes at least six "0x000000D1" problems:

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

1. You receive a "STOP: 0x000000D1" error message on a computer that is running Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or Windows XP with Service Pack 2
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906882/
   
   
2. Stop error message on a Windows XP-based computer: "STOP 0x000000D1"
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/916595/
   
   
3. The computer restarts unexpectedly, or you receive an error message in Windows XP: "Stop: 0x000000D1"
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925922/
   
   
4. Stop error message when you set the ConnectOnRequestedInterfaceOnly registry entry to 1 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP: "STOP 0x000000D1
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937367/
   
   
5. You receive a "STOP 0x000000D1" error after you create a network bridge on a computer that is running Windows XP
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939010/
   
   
6. Error message when a Windows XP SP2-based multiprocessor computer uses driver Battc.sys: "STOP 0x000000D1
   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/939780/

To complete erase the contents of your hard drive, try DBAN (Darik's Boot And Nuke):

http://www.dban.org/about

Borrow a "Windows XP Professional with SP3" CD, boot from it, and then use your Product Key.

[slickcondo]

Just as an FYI, Windows XP SP3 fixes at least six "0x000000D1" problems:

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

To complete erase the contents of your hard drive, try DBAN (Darik's Boot And Nuke):

http://www.dban.org/about

Borrow a "Windows XP Professional with SP3" CD, boot from it, and then use your Product Key.

Hi SpywareDr. Thanks for the link. I didn't think I have any virus or spyware on that spare computer as I seldom use it for internet access. The last time I use it, it was working properly.

Very slim chance that I know anyone having a XP with SP3 to borrow from. Any alternative ?

Is the Nuke software you mentioned the same as the one I know called Eraser ? It also use for cleaning up the hard disk of all traces by overwriting passes on the hard disk. But fior a good clean, it takes ages, over 24 hours !!!

[SpywareDr]

Hi SpywareDr. Thanks for the link.

No problem.

I didn't think I have any virus or spyware on that spare computer as I seldom use it for internet access. The last time I use it, it was working properly.

See the six links above for the reasons why Windows XP SP1 and/or SP2 can suddenly stop working properly with a "0x000000D1" error.

Very slim chance that I know anyone having a XP with SP3 to borrow from. Any alternative ?

Service Pack 3 is available for download from Microsoft:

• Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File (544.9 MB)
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
  
  
• Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers (316.4 MB)
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You can also order Windows XP Service Pack 3 on a CD ($3.99 USD):

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

To order Windows XP SP3 on a CD, visit one of the following Microsoft Web sites, as appropriate for your region:

Asia
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/st...-us&NewTrans=1

Europe and Africa
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/st...-us&NewTrans=1

North America
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/st...-us&NewTrans=1

South America
https://om2.one.microsoft.com/opa/st...-us&NewTrans=1

Once you have SP3, you would then slipstream (integrate) SP3 into XP and then boot from the resultant CD:

Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Create Bootable CD
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...ce_Pack_3.html

Is the Nuke software you mentioned the same as the one I know called Eraser ? It also use for cleaning up the hard disk of all traces by overwriting passes on the hard disk.

Don't know, I always DBAN.

But fior a good clean, it takes ages, over 24 hours !!!

Yep, it can take awhile. How long depends on the speed of the computer and hard drive as well as the size of the hard drive.

[slickcondo]

No problem.


See the six links above for the reasons why Windows XP SP1 and/or SP2 can suddenly stop working properly with a "0x000000D1" error.


Service Pack 3 is available for download from Microsoft:

• Windows XP Service Pack 3 - ISO-9660 CD Image File (544.9 MB)
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
  
  
• Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers (316.4 MB)
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You can also order Windows XP Service Pack 3 on a CD ($3.99 USD):

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

[/indent]Once you have SP3, you would then slipstream (integrate) SP3 into XP and then boot from the resultant CD:

Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 3 and Create Bootable CD
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/Windo...ce_Pack_3.html

Don't know, I always DBAN.


Yep, it can take awhile. How long depends on the speed of the computer and hard drive as well as the size of the hard drive.

Hi Spywaredoc,

Thanks for getting back so quickly.

I tried to install DBAN on my C drive, but it does not work or have I tried to install it incorrectly ? I double clicked on the file that was downloaded and it just says the downloaded file is unknown and cannot be open. It says somewhere on the DBAN site that it is for a floppy. Should I just download it onto a floppy disk and use it as a boot disk or something ? I can't find any instruction how to use it.

Thanks for the clarification regarding the SP3. I was under the impression that I need to get one that already incorporates Windows XP Pro with SP3. But having read throught the links on how to slipstream these 2 programs onto a disk, I feel it is too technical for me. Besides, it says it need a original Windows XP Pro disk to do the slipstream. I have lost the original ! Any other way round it without having to spend lots of $$ to get one that is already incorporated.

BTW, can I not use SP3 and somehow reformat my C driive, then reinsall back my Windows XP Pro with SP1 and then update the SP1 to SP2 ? I can then just download and install the patch that cause the error on SP2. Any good this way ?

I think if I can reformat the C drive somehow, I can then reinstall the OS again and see if it works ! Comments ?

Thanks for your time with this problem. Greatly appreciated.

[Train]

DBAN run from a bootable cd/dvd.

It is never installed.

Tutorial.
http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/09/11...ur-hard-drive/

[SpywareDr]

Brief instructions, (detailed instructions, with screenshots can be found with Google):

Boot from your Windows XP CD and delete all partitions.

Windows setup will then ask if you want to create a new partition the full size of the hard drive. Let it do it.

Windows setup will then prompt you if you want to format the new partition. Tell it yes.

Windows setup will then ask if you want to install Windows on the new, formatted partition. Yep, let it do it.

(Some where along in here Windows setup will prompt you for your Product Key. Type it in and continue to follow the onscreen prompts).

Once XP is up and running, load Internet Explorer and go immediately to Windows Update ( http://updates.microsoft.com ).

Windows update will offer to install Service Pack 3, mixed in among many other updates. Let it install at least all 'Critical' updates.

(Note that you may have to install a few updates before SP3 is finally offered).

During this process you will be prompted to reboot once in a while. Do it, and then immediately head back to Windows Update. Keep repeating this process until there are no more updates to install.

That's it. You should now be running Windows XP with SP3. (SP3 includes all the updates in SP1 and SP2).

[slickcondo]

DBAN run from a bootable cd/dvd.

It is never installed.

Tutorial.
http://www.simplehelp.net/2007/09/11...ur-hard-drive/

Hi Train,

Thanks for the great link! Very clear and I have no problem with it including the link on how to burn a CD from a ISO file. But.....there's always a but somehow !

I went as far as downloading the XP Pro burner the link suggested and managed to burn the DBAN on to a CD. But I am bothered that when I open the CD, and read the README, is says this is for Apple Mac despite the fact that I selected the first option ( for DBAN for recent Intel........) from the DBAN link SpywareDr gave, http://dban.org/ . The options from the site Download are as follows :

Preview Releases
Download Darik's Boot and Nuke 2.0.0
for DBAN for recent Intel and AMD computers. (You probably want this file.)
for DBAN for Apple Power Mac

Any idea if I have download the right version ? I can't find any other versons there to download.

Many thanks for your help.

Oh btw, great site and great people here who are really helpful !!!

[slickcondo]

Brief instructions, (detailed instructions, with screenshots can be found with Google):

Boot from your Windows XP CD and delete all partitions.

Windows setup will then ask if you want to create a new partition the full size of the hard drive. Let it do it.

Windows setup will then prompt you if you want to format the new partition. Tell it yes.

Windows setup will then ask if you want to install Windows on the new, formatted partition. Yep, let it do it.

(Some where along in here Windows setup will prompt you for your Product Key. Type it in and continue to follow the onscreen prompts).

Once XP is up and running, load Internet Explorer and go immediately to Windows Update ( http://updates.microsoft.com ).

Windows update will offer to install Service Pack 3, mixed in among many other updates. Let it install at least all 'Critical' updates.

(Note that you may have to install a few updates before SP3 is finally offered).

During this process you will be prompted to reboot once in a while. Do it, and then immediately head back to Windows Update. Keep repeating this process until there are no more updates to install.

That's it. You should now be running Windows XP with SP3. (SP3 includes all the updates in SP1 and SP2).

Hi Doc,

Thanks. I have no problem with what you instructed as I have done as you said in the past. I was under the impression that I need to make a CD incorporating Windows XP Pro and SP3 in the same disk.

I wish the process about loading the XP to boot up and selecting the option to format the partition is there. This is where my problem lies. I was not given any option when I put the CD in the CD try, start the pc and it just start copying some files from the CD to my HDD until it asks for my CD Key. When I entered it, is says it is not valid, even though I have done this in the past and the CD keys were accepted. BTW, in the past, I was offered several options when I use the CD to boot up. But for some reasons, not this time !! This is why things were in a mess.

Although the CD key was not accepted. the copying went no futher and when I removed the CD and rebooted, some of the Windows file were there and Windows worked. I guess it copied the files from the CD up to where I entered the key. The situation then is that there is notification that I have 30days to register my copy.

So what I did was I got a copy of my brother's XP with SP2 and load it. It asks for the CD key and I entered it with the new key. It accepted. Then asked for the original CD to be loaded. I don't have that and it freezes there. When I took out the CD and reboot, the 30 days notification is gone and I am left with 2 options at bootup. One is my first install ( or partial install) and the other is a option to (continue the) SETUP with the second install of Win Pro with SP2.

I then went into the Boot Loader and deleted the line for the second install, and reboot. The second SETUP option is still there at boot up, but the default is on the first install. When I checked the Boot Loader again, the second OS line is still there !

This is where I am at the present. I was about to use the DBAN CD I just burnt, but ...see my reply to Train regarding this.

Oh, btw, when I checked the key with a free Key Finder software, it says I am using the brother's product key and not my original key !! So it seems my first installation with Win Pro with SP1 has somehow accepted another key code to run it ! Very odd !!!

I'm hoping the README on the DBAN CD I burnt is incorrect when it says that version is for Apple Mac even thought I've download an Intel version.

Still stuck !!!

BTW, what is a error run time ? This came up on my regular laptop today when I started up. But it disappeared after I reboot. Wondered why all these is happening after faultless use of both laptops for so long !

[Train]

DBAN will work as it is written in such a manner that it will cross platform.
Using the default, it will over write everything on the hdd 3 times and bury everything except actual physical damage on the surface of the disk.
Besides, the new Apples now have a Intel cpu.

[slickcondo]

DBAN will work as it is written in such a manner that it will cross platform.
Using the default, it will over write everything on the hdd 3 times and bury everything except actual physical damage on the surface of the disk.
Besides, the new Apples now have a Intel cpu.

Thanks Train. Good to know I don't have to go gooling to find the suitable version.

Only thing now is for me to find how to back up the whole system first before using it since if after formatting it and the CD key still does not work, I am no closer to the solution. At least my latpop in the current state somewhat works and I may not be able to recreate the same condition again if reformatting the HDD and making a fresh reinstall does not work.

I don't have a sotrage media that is capable to hold my whole system image of 74.52GB even thoguht the Used space at the moment is 8.687GB and the Free space is 65.833 GB NTFS files system. I only have a DVD Read and the biggest capacity of my pen drive is 5GB. I have Macrium Reflect Free Edition back up program. I don't know if there is a way to use two CD disk or 2 pen drive to separate the whole back up data using this back up software. Any ideas ?

The other uestion is: Do I only need to copy the Used Space info as a backup or do I need to copy the Free Space also to so that I have a mirror image of the whole system backed up ?

Any suggestions and/or ideas ?

[Train]

Acronis, a favorite of lots of folks here.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/

A USB hdd can be used.

I use 3, with only one on site at a time.

Data that is in my documents, photos and the like I also burn to data DVDs. OK, so I have stuff that I would really hate to lose. The extra expense and work is worth it to me.

[slickcondo]

Acronis, a favorite of lots of folks here.
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/

A USB hdd can be used.

I use 3, with only one on site at a time.

Data that is in my documents, photos and the like I also burn to data DVDs. OK, so I have stuff that I would really hate to lose. The extra expense and work is worth it to me.

Hi Train,

Thanks. But at the moment, backing up is the the the last problem. I tried to use the DBAN disk I burnt earlier to see if it work. But sadly, it does not. It does not run when the laptop is boot up. I reburnt the disk a a couple of times and each time with the same result.

When I look at the content of the disk, there are a few text files and a few files that when I clicked on them, it says files cannot be open and asked if it could search the web for the right program to open the file.

So looks like either the software I downloaded from EBAM site is corrupted or it is strictly for Apple Mac as the ReadME on it says.

So I am not prgressing any furrther Please help !!!!! Anyone experienced this before ?

[dneilson]

Check your Hard Drive manufacturers site for a diagnostics disk, most of them offer an option to Zero the drive.

[slickcondo]

Check your Hard Drive manufacturers site for a diagnostics disk, most of them offer an option to Zero the drive.

Hi dneilson,

Thanks for joining in this discussion and for your sugestion. Do I take it that you think my Hard Drive may have a problem ? What does Zero the drive mean ? Thanks for the clarification.