As you will see there are many problems here (operator being #1) so pick any reply to....only good news, I do have a fresh backup on a external HD
Situation:
Last time I did a fresh install of XP I made a mirror of the hard drive just in case (with key programs installed , before accessing the internet, includes SP2).....so I started with two internal drives with XP
Problems:
1. Primary Drive (120gb, 105gb used)- XP now freezes shortly after completely booting....usually happens when i start a new program - any program - Firefox, Norton (to run virus check), etc. I suspect there are hundreds of potential causes .....I just removed some programs which made the problem worse - had been freezing occasionally when starting Win2000 (watch TV on the computer) program. I do have Norton GoBack but not sure it's worth the effort to take it back to the "occasional" freeze problem.
2. Mirror backup HD (160gb, maybe 20 used)- when booting I now get "windows\system32\config\system" missing. I read the MS help page on this - Seriously, is this the best MS can do with all that brain power that company has? I'm not even sure I can reformat this drive - it isn't functioning when installed as the 2nd HD on the system.
3. Thought I would try the Windows Repair from the XP Install disk on either (or both) HD's. However, the system will not recognize the disk even after I change the Bios....Had this problem before and my notes from the last successful attempt showed I used the DVD drive (vs CD) and hit the space key at the flashing "_". Unfortunately this is not helping this time. Doesn't work in the CD drive either.
Details:
Windows XP Home, with SP2 downloaded (original disk is just XP w SP1)
Dell Dimension 4550 w 800meg RAM
Experience level:low = probably not going to make command line changes to the computer.
Any "quick fix" suggestions on any of the three problems?
Thanks
Situation:
Last time I did a fresh install of XP I made a mirror of the hard drive just in case (with key programs installed , before accessing the internet, includes SP2).....so I started with two internal drives with XP
Problems:
1. Primary Drive (120gb, 105gb used)- XP now freezes shortly after completely booting....usually happens when i start a new program - any program - Firefox, Norton (to run virus check), etc. I suspect there are hundreds of potential causes .....I just removed some programs which made the problem worse - had been freezing occasionally when starting Win2000 (watch TV on the computer) program. I do have Norton GoBack but not sure it's worth the effort to take it back to the "occasional" freeze problem.
2. Mirror backup HD (160gb, maybe 20 used)- when booting I now get "windows\system32\config\system" missing. I read the MS help page on this - Seriously, is this the best MS can do with all that brain power that company has? I'm not even sure I can reformat this drive - it isn't functioning when installed as the 2nd HD on the system.
3. Thought I would try the Windows Repair from the XP Install disk on either (or both) HD's. However, the system will not recognize the disk even after I change the Bios....Had this problem before and my notes from the last successful attempt showed I used the DVD drive (vs CD) and hit the space key at the flashing "_". Unfortunately this is not helping this time. Doesn't work in the CD drive either.
Details:
Windows XP Home, with SP2 downloaded (original disk is just XP w SP1)
Dell Dimension 4550 w 800meg RAM
Experience level:low = probably not going to make command line changes to the computer.
Any "quick fix" suggestions on any of the three problems?
Thanks