clear computer and re-install windows XP

[bosschester]

My computer has gone completely loopy!
I keep getting messages about "Status.msi" and other files that appear to be missing. I find that I cannot hold a programme long enough to investigate before I get a message "There is a problem on Windows Explorer and windows will now close down".
SP1 and SP2 seemto have become uninstalled, but I can't re-install either.
Is it possible to simply clear the old Windows XP off and re-install from disc? Or are there any other suggestions short of suicide??

[legend.isgod]

Sounds like a pirate copy mate.

Im no expert but if you have a pirate copy and it updates ( because you nevr stopped automatic updates) when it trys to install sp3 it will go black screen and then start going looopy

[bosschester]

No, It's definitely not a pirate. Thanks anyway
G

[trish432]

Yes, it`s fairly simple to reinstall from the disc. You need to boot from the disc, then follow the instructions to format your drive and reinstall.
You will need your serial number, which is a series of numbers and letters, usually found somewhere on the casing of your pc. There are 25 in all, with each 5 separated by a dash.

[alan-r]

complete reinstall only way to get things in a new condition
laborious i know,can you back up your important files first to another hard drive or cd /dvd,you said its not stable long enough to maybe do this
does going into safe mode not work. entering restore and going back
when you have a stable system always back up system state
good luck

[pauln90]

Have you tried checkdisk to see if that can correct any errors

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265


If you are not worried about losing all your files and programmes then reinstall. Make sure though that you have the motherboard drivers so that sound,video ,USB etc can also be reinstalled.

Have you tried a windows repair it might enable windows to function correctly so that you can then backup all your important stuff.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpa ndsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

When you do eventually get up and running I would do a check on the hard drive to rule out any errors/bad sectors.

[trish432]

Yes, I forgot about drivers, but it doesn`t sound as if you can get into computer enough to copy them.
Maybe you alredy have a driver disc? If not, try to download drivermax from here.

http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/

Run drivermax, select all drivers to export, then copy them to a cd, ready for using after reinstall of windows.
This is assuming your pc is working enough to do it.
Good luck with it if you decide to give it a try.

[bosschester]

Thanks for all your useful suggestions. Everything is up and running again.
G