Daft PC question

[DanDare]

I have a Packard Bell PC for a few years and its not running correctly.

What I would like to do is restart the thing from scratch ie: boot it up like the day I got it. How do you go about doing that?

Does this get rid of all the crap I've installed and deleted over time?

[gettin2dizzy]

Get yourself an external hard drive,copy all the files you want to keep on to that. Then you want to dig out the emergency recovery cd. You'll put this in on startup and it will delete your entire pc, and reinstall windows. Your PC will run like new :)

[Bluepete]

I thought this was going to be about me :rolleyes:

[DanDare]

Get yourself an external hard drive,copy all the files you want to keep on to that. Then you want to dig out the emergency recovery cd. You'll put this in on startup and it will delete your entire pc, and reinstall windows. Your PC will run like new :)


Excellent, thank you :)

[Smudge]

I thought this was going to be about me :rolleyes:
PMSL:)

[DanDare]

I tried this last night without much success.

I followed the instructions by putting the red floppy disk in the drive and booting it up. It goes to MS-DOS with Abort/Restart/Retry or something.

If I type anything it keeps repeating it until I type A to abort and it then continues. It then ask's me to insert Master CD into the Drive ( the manual say's DVD drive )

I have 2 old Back Up discs I created ages ago which I presume its asking for as I have f*ck all else. However it doesn't seem to do anything from there. It says it will take time to do its thing but not 3 hours surely?


See instructions:
Recovery Disk Recovery

Note: All Data will be lost make sure you back up

• Insert the red Packard Bell boot floppy disk into the floppy disk
• Restart/switch on the computer.
• If you have created the backup CD’s then insert Disk 1 NOW
• The computer will load from the disk and display the following message:

1. Standard System Restore: this will return the computer to its "out of the box" state.
2. Advanced Options: this will allow you to restore Microsoft® Windows® XP without the additional software (this can be installed later if required).
3. Tools: this option allows access MS DOS utilities such as FDISK and Format.
4. Cancel and return to DOS: exits the program and returns to an MS DOS prompt.

• Select “1” on the keyboard to continue
• The recovery will take 30 mins to 1:30 hrs.
• Change CD’s as prompted
• Once complete don’t forget to remove the floppy disk before you reboot.

[Defender]

Have you tried XP's system restore
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

[Smudge]

yep +1 try restoring it to a date you know it was working ok otherwise it could be a hardware prob such as Hard Drive secters gone bad or even motherboard or memory

[peterco]

Have you tried here....
http://forum.packardbell.com/en/

http://support.packardbell.com/uk/

pete

[ThEGr33k]

Get a bootable copy of windows XP go into bios and set the CD to first boot device (or above the HDD at least). Let the comp boot up.

It should go to a gray screen with blue boarders, once all the drivers are loaded (along the bottom) it should come up with a list, there should be a option something like 'new instalation'. Click the letter corresponding to that.

Then (if i remember right) there should be an screen asking which partition to install it on. right when this comes up delete all the old partitions and format the disk. Then go on and install XP, the comp will restart, when this happens go back into the bios and set the HDD back to first boot device. Then XP will start installing, this will take between 30-60 mins!

When its installing and it asks you to setup the language make sure you select UK for keyboard and things! (otherwise @ will be where " is and visa versa :rolleyes:).

Then when all this is done, fresh comp!

Its been a few months since i did it but thats the basics of it. Pretty streight forward.

P.S. DO NOT try to install XP throught XP, it has to be done through the boot menu! Trust me the auto run in windows doesnt work.

Hope this helps.

[Alpinestarhero]

I thought this was going to be about me :rolleyes:

We can reinstall you if you like?

Matt

[Smudge]

Get a bootable copy of windows XP go into bios and set the CD to first boot device (or above the HDD at least). Let the comp boot up.

It should go to a gray screen with blue boarders, once all the drivers are loaded (along the bottom) it should come up with a list, there should be a option something like 'new instalation'. Click the letter corresponding to that.

Then (if i remember right) there should be an screen asking which partition to install it on. right when this comes up delete all the old partitions and format the disk. Then go on and install XP, the comp will restart, when this happens go back into the bios and set the HDD back to first boot device. Then XP will start installing, this will take between 30-60 mins!

When its installing and it asks you to setup the language make sure you select UK for keyboard and things! (otherwise @ will be where " is and visa versa :rolleyes:).

Then when all this is done, fresh comp!

Its been a few months since i did it but thats the basics of it. Pretty streight forward.

P.S. DO NOT try to install XP throught XP, it has to be done through the boot menu! Trust me the auto run in windows doesnt work.

Hope this helps.
make sure you back all the stuff up you want before you do this or it will be overwritten

[Baph]

It sounds like the floppy disk doesn't have the right information to boot the computer from (MBR).

If you start the computer up, and open up a Command Prompt (Windows XP: Start > Run > cmd.exe Older Windows: Start > Run > command.com). Then stick the floppy in, and type the following:

fdisk /mbr a:

That should make the floppy bootable.

Personally, I'd throw the Packard Bell discs away, but that's my personal opinion. IMO, you're far better with an official MicroSoft disc rather than a hardware retaillers customised version of the software.

[ThEGr33k]

Floppy disks are always bootable. If its not booting chances are that the boot order has the HDD before the Floppy disk. :rolleyes:

[Baph]

Floppy disks are always bootable. If its not booting chances are that the boot order has the HDD before the Floppy disk. :rolleyes:

Oh contrare. You can't just shove any floppy disk in the drive & expect the machine to boot. The boot strap has to be there, the boot sector has to point to the boot strap (well, technically a mini-OS capable of executing the boot sequence). There's a reason why the Windows dialog gives you the "Bootable" option when formatting floppy's.

Remember, there's 2 levels of the OS before you even get to a command prompt, let alone Windows.

If the message coming up is "Invalid Disk (Abort/Retry/Ignore)" (or words to that effect), the media inserted is not bootable. One way to fix this, is to make the media bootable (again, FDD's aren't always bootable), the other is to change the BIOS settings to ensure the order of drives is correct.

IMO, running Fdisk & telling it to replace the MBR on a floppy is easier to do than guide someone through the BIOS options, as each BIOS manufacturer has different terms, different layouts, and different ways of even getting into the BIOS.

[ThEGr33k]

Very odd... ive never in my life done any of that, N' ive done a lot of work with this sort of crap. *Shrugs* :confused:

[Baph]

Very odd... ive never in my life done any of that, N' ive done a lot of work with this sort of crap. *Shrugs* :confused:

Chances are, the disks you've used have always been formatted as bootable disks.

Try JUST formatting one with FAT32, and making sure NON of the options are ticked, that should get you just a basic disk, as the come normally. Make sure you're machines set to boot from floppy, and see what happens.

Surely you've seen the "Invalid/Non System Disk" message before. If there's no OS on it, there's nothing that the machine can do with it.

[ThEGr33k]

All i have done is put a bootable program on there and the computer does the rest... Ghost for example.

[Baph]

All i have done is put a bootable program on there and the computer does the rest... Ghost for example.

Ah, that's why then, you're Ghosting. That would format the disk before it does anything, then it would setup the disk for booting.

Anyway, I think this is bordering on a derail. :oops:

[fizzwheel]

Personally, I'd throw the Packard Bell discs away, but that's my personal opinion. IMO, you're far better with an official MicroSoft disc rather than a hardware retaillers customised version of the software.

As long as the Microsoft disk has the relevant hardware drivers on it then yes, but as its Packard Smell then it probably wont and you'll then end up fannying around with drivers to get everything to work.

I'd echo whats been said above. Change the bios so it boots of CD bung the XP cd in the cdrom drive and bob is your mothers brother. Just backup everything needed before you start.

Messing about with floppy disks and Fdisk is just over complicating things. I'd only be b*ggering around with that if Windows wouldnt boot and I wanted to try and recover data off the disk.

[Baph]

As long as the Microsoft disk has the relevant hardware drivers on it then yes, but as its Packard Smell then it probably wont and you'll then end up fannying around with drivers to get everything to work.


The OP said the machine was a few years old, so I'd figure that an XP disc (if the machine can even run XP - that depends on how many a "few years" is), would have 99% of drivers for an old machine.

But then, I'm a big fan of "give me an internet connection & 5mins, you'll have all the drivers on there."

[ThEGr33k]

Ah, that's why then, you're Ghosting. That would format the disk before it does anything, then it would setup the disk for booting.

Anyway, I think this is bordering on a derail. :oops:


Fair enough. Guess it dont matter too much now... My last two computer builds dont have a floppy drive. :rolleyes:

I only have the joy of those at work! :mad:

[fizzwheel]

But then, I'm a big fan of "give me an internet connection & 5mins, you'll have all the drivers on there."

Yes but thats no use if you have formatted your PC and done a fresh xp install but then you dont have the drivers to make your modem or ADSL route work isnt it.

Its one of the reasons I'd never buy a Packard Bell, they never use standard bits and pieces and everything is packard bell specific which can be a right royal PIA.

[ThEGr33k]

To be honest id never buy a pre built, I been building my own now fo 5 years. Cant go far wrong if you know exactly what you have! :-D

[Pedro68]

To be honest id never buy a pre built, I been building my own now fo 5 years. Cant go far wrong if you know exactly what you have! :-D
Well when you have been building PCs for 15 years and not just for yourself but for friends and family who all think that because you're a friend/family that it entitles them to FREE technical support FOR LIFE, you may reconsider, but until such time ... go for it ;-) LOL

Nowadays, I recommend pre-built's to friends and family simply so that IF/WHEN it breaks down or just goes slow I can just say "where did you buy it from? ask them!" :D

Its not that I don't try and be helpful (whenever I can), but sometimes it comes to a point where you just have to say "look, if it's that bad, take it back to where you bought it from and tell them".

[fizzwheel]

Nowadays, I recommend pre-built's to friends and family simply so that IF/WHEN it breaks down or just goes slow I can just say "where did you buy it from? ask them!" :D.

Thats my thinking to, theres not much I cant fix, but its nice to know that if it does go completely pete tong I can get them to ring the manufacturer and get it sorted out that way. Its nice to have that option in your back pocket I think.

[ThEGr33k]

Well when you have been building PCs for 15 years and not just for yourself but for friends and family who all think that because you're a friend/family that it entitles them to FREE technical support FOR LIFE, you may reconsider, but until such time ... go for it ;-) LOL

Nowadays, I recommend pre-built's to friends and family simply so that IF/WHEN it breaks down or just goes slow I can just say "where did you buy it from? ask them!" :D

Its not that I don't try and be helpful (whenever I can), but sometimes it comes to a point where you just have to say "look, if it's that bad, take it back to where you bought it from and tell them".


Yea i dont plan on getting into that trap! I just build my own and the one for the imediate family.

I also dont rate pre builds because of the hardware they use. A typical pre built that compainies like Dell sell are usually kitted out with good numbers, by that i mean good CPU with a nice amount of RAM and HDD space, but then to keep cost down they put in a £20 special Graphics card (arguably the most important part of a computer) and Motherboard. These are really two items you shouldnt skimp on unless all you want to do with the computer is go on the internet...

Best thing i know of recently is companies selling Vista on compters with 1GB RAM or less, it takes more than 1 GB of RAM to run Vista properly, never mind programs. :(. Madness.

[Pedro68]

Yea i dont plan on getting into that trap! I just build my own and the one for the imediate family.
That's the very people I'm talking about ... family ... who think they can get away with phoning you up at the drop of a hat and telling you that they've just pushed their XD card into the SD slot, and it appears to now be rattling around inside the computer :rolleyes: This is just the start LMAO


I also dont rate pre builds because of the hardware they use. A typical pre built that compainies like Dell sell are usually kitted out with good numbers, by that i mean good CPU with a nice amount of RAM and HDD space, but then to keep cost down they put in a £20 special Graphics card (arguably the most important part of a computer) and Motherboard. These are really two items you shouldnt skimp on unless all you want to do with the computer is go on the internet...

Yup ... you got that right LOL but I'm willing to buy a pre-built and upgrade it myself when I see fit ;-)

I remember some twit in PC World trying to sell my friend a PC with a DVD drive in it when she specifically said "I don't need one, I have a DVD player for that", the argument was fun, but pointless, and its always a laugh seeing the faces of the staff in PC World flumoxed by a simple argument :)


Best thing i know of recently is companies selling Vista on compters with 1GB RAM or less, it takes more than 1 GB of RAM to run Vista properly, never mind programs. :(. Madness.
This isn't just a recent phenomenon ... jeeez this one has been raging for years ;) I remember companies flogging PC's with XP on and 256MB RAM :rolleyes:

Software is always pushing hardware requirements ... its the way of the world (of IT). I remember buying "Need For Speed" for the PC thinking, 'This is gonna be fantastic driving around in cars that look and sound like the real things :-P and it's gonna look great on my Pentium 120Mhz BEAST' ... what I failed to notice was the memory requirements which my PC fell well short of, and so my brand new game ran in a window the size of a postage stamp, at a resolution more akin to early 1970's home video console game systems, and at about 2 frames per second :( not quite "Need for Speed" and more like "Need to READ (the system requirements!)" LMAO

[ThEGr33k]

Yup ... you got that right LOL but I'm willing to buy a pre-built and upgrade it myself when I see fit :wink:

I remember some twit in PC World trying to sell my friend a PC with a DVD drive in it when she specifically said "I don't need one, I have a DVD player for that", the argument was fun, but pointless, and its always a laugh seeing the faces of the staff in PC World flumoxed by a simple argument :smile:

Best PC world quote i have is "whats an hard drive?" the assistant said "One moment ill ask my manager". ](*,)

That is no word of a lie. How on earth did they get a job?!?!?!?

Another one was with digital TV. Well you may or may not know that some arials needed upgrading to be able to get enough signal gain as to produce a good signal so the picture doesnt break down and go all pixelated.

Well a guy from PC world was explaining to a customer that they needed to get a arial with the right distance between the directors had to match the wavelength of the sqare waves which a digital signal uses....

What is the major problem with this statement? Well id guess its the fact that a digital signal still uses a analgue carrier with the digital signal modulated onto it. So the arial is still picking up a analgue signal...

(i know it isnt PC's but still, its a corker!

[Pedro68]

Haha classic ... my classics include:

Me: Do you have any "dumb" keyboards?
PCW staff: Are you taking the micky?!
Me: No, it's a MIDI keyboard!
PCW staff: What's one of those then? I don't think we do them.
Me: Oh right, it's ok I've found one here, anyone know anything about these?
PCW staff: Yeah, but he's gone home for the day now. Sorry m8 I ain't got the first clue about those.
Me (to self): No sh*t Sherlock!

That digital TV one is funny LOL but the hard drive one! Shocking!! LMAO

[ThEGr33k]

Haha classic ... my classics include:

Me: Do you have any "dumb" keyboards?
PCW staff: Are you taking the micky?!
Me: No, it's a MIDI keyboard!
PCW staff: What's one of those then? I don't think we do them.
Me: Oh right, it's ok I've found one here, anyone know anything about these?
PCW staff: Yeah, but he's gone home for the day now. Sorry m8 I ain't got the first clue about those.
Me (to self): No sh*t Sherlock!

That digital TV one is funny LOL but the hard drive one! Shocking!! LMAO


I dont know about these "dumb" keyboards... but then i dont sell them do i :D

I wonder what the test is like for Paper conservation world?

Something like this?

Q1) what is your name?
Q2) What does PC stand for? A) Personal Computer B) Paper conservation...
Q3)...
Q4)...
...

Feedback; You got 1 answer right... well that beats that fella who forgot his name! your in \\:D/