Computer HELP!!! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

09/28/2006 11:27:35 PM · #1

Okay, here's the situation.

I have a 4-year-old HP Pavilion 7845. It originally came with Windows ME, but I hated it, so I upgraded to XP probably about a year ago. The computer was getting ready to bite the dust, so I went out and bought a new one, and decided to sell the old one. Well, with the help of HP's online customer support, I used the FDISK utility to create a partition and reformatted the drive so there was no chance of personal information left. Now I'm trying to reinstall XP, but it's not working.

I am able to get through what appears to be the whole installation, and the computer tells me it needs to restart in order to finish up. So I tell it to go ahead. But when it does that, the installation just starts all over again. I tried changing the boot order (i.e., boot from the HD first), and that gave me the error message "invalid partition table". I tried booting with the XP CD removed, and I get the same message.

According to HP, I either need to use a Microsoft Console CD (which I've never even heard of), or I need to buy a new hard drive.

I really don't have the money to spend to fix this computer (that's why I'm selling it!). Can anyone help me fix this without having to shell out any money?

Thanks in advance!

cryingdragon

Canon EOS-10D

09/28/2006 11:29:57 PM · #2

a quick fix...hopefully. This might need you to reinstall, it might not..it goes both ways for me.

Boot into DOS

c:\ fdisk /mbr

That rebuilds the master boot record, which holds the partition table information.

09/28/2006 11:45:39 PM · #3

Thanks. I'll try it and let you know.

09/28/2006 11:54:42 PM · #4

The Console CD in which they speak is part of XP, Win2k, Win2003 etc...

To get there:

Boot from the XP CD
It will go on like it is going to Install
You will go through several screens

One will say that it found XP on your disk and ask if you want to repair using the console (bad idea if you have never been there before). it is like a dos prompt with very limited commands.

Edit: believe the choices are "r" or enter (to install)

You could do a fdisk /mbr or a fixboot from the console.

I would choose the other option (I believe it Install)

and the next screen will say oh I found a copy of XP (again) would you like to repair? That is where I would say yes.

However, think, think, think, several years ago a user brought in a home pc (HP) similar situation, had ME and want to go XP pro, and I ran into the same problem (I had the same thing on a soyo mobo).

Trying to remember what the fix was... thinking...

Do you have the latest bios on that box?

Message edited by author 2006-09-28 23:56:04.

09/29/2006 12:02:22 AM · #5

Originally posted by awpollard:

Do you have the latest bios on that box?

What's that?

Edit: It looks like I have two partitions. One says NTFS, the other says unknown. Do I need them both? Do I delete the unknown one? Where do I install windows?

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 00:10:11.

09/29/2006 12:16:39 AM · #6

Basic In/Out System (BIOS) is firmware on the mobo that basically tells the pewter how to operate.

When your pc first comes on you will see Phoenix, Award or something else then there will be an number and the date. That tells what version it is.

Manufactures update bios often to get their mobo to talk (or talk better) to new operating systems and devices.

I'm thinkin' it a bad idea to have you flash the bios as you could render the computer useless...

However if you would write that number down next time you boot it up and let me know what it is...I will verify if you are up to date and if there fixes for that model you have.

09/29/2006 12:20:07 AM · #7

Originally posted by SquishyB:

Originally posted by awpollard:
Do you have the latest bios on that box?

What's that?

Edit: It looks like I have two partitions. One says NTFS, the other says unknown. Do I need them both? Do I delete the unknown one? Where do I install windows?

I would delete them both... the unknown is probably a HP restore partition... they hide an image file there. HP does use a rescue partition on a lot of their pewters. That very well could be your problem.

Delete em both and install XP in the one big one that you will have available after that.

09/29/2006 12:20:26 AM · #8

Phoenix Bios 4.0 Release 6.0.6

09/29/2006 12:25:40 AM · #9

Okay, I now have one big chunk of unpartitioned space that the computer is formatting as we speak...

09/29/2006 01:01:06 AM · #10

Setup is copying files...

09/29/2006 01:10:25 AM · #11

Hey! I got further than I have before! The computer restarted, and it's actually moved on to the setup page! Hurrah! Thanks for your help, CryingDragon and AWPollard! I will keep you posted as to whether or not it finishes the installation.

09/29/2006 01:36:51 AM · #12

Hey, it works. Thank you SO much. What would I do without the DPC???

Now... if you can only tell me where I can download a good free word processor and internet service, I'll be set!

09/29/2006 01:45:51 AM · #13

Originally posted by SquishyB:

Hey, it works. Thank you SO much. What would I do without the DPC???

Now... if you can only tell me where I can download a good free word processor and internet service, I'll be set!

Ask and ye shall receive: Formally StarOffice now Open Office quite a bit more than a word processor but hey it's free (GPL like the GIMP)

fotomann_forever

09/29/2006 01:46:30 AM · #14

Originally posted by SquishyB:

Hey, it works. Thank you SO much. What would I do without the DPC???

Now... if you can only tell me where I can download a good free word processor and internet service, I'll be set!

WordProcessor (office suite) //www.openoffice.org

Edit: too slow

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 01:46:58.

09/29/2006 08:50:10 AM · #15

Fantastic! Now, does anyone know a free internet service?

Edit: does OpenOffice support other types of documents, like Word and Word Perfect?

Message edited by author 2006-09-29 09:06:58.