Giveaway of the Day Forums Topic: XP cd unreadable

Giveaway of the Day Forums Topic: XP cd unreadable http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Giveaway of the Day Forums Topic: XP cd unreadable en Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:07:18 +0000 Lee on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-26271 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:20:57 +0000 Lee 26271@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ XP details officially coming soon: <a href="http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/04/15/windows-xp-sp3-release-dates" rel="nofollow">http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/04/15/windows-xp-sp3-release-dates</a> Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-26270 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:04:40 +0000 Robert 26270@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I suggest running live update to install the updates.. (Or wait 'till SP3 is available,this one should be available pretty soon) absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-26252 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:02:05 +0000 absminprof 26252@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I found my code. I installed a friends XP in my machine. I imported the registry form my previous backed-up files, used the key-finder and extracted my missing 25-digit code by using the key-finder. I have now installed my XP CD and activated the product. Now I miss the updates. I visited the microsoft website and I find 90 high priority updates that I have to install. I have the previous C-drive backed up. I just do not know where the updates live. Do i have to re-instll them all over again ? Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25865 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 21:23:33 +0000 Robert 25865@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ You should read this article.It has a useful link too (in the middle of the page).. <a href="http://www.instantfundas.com/2007/09/install-recovery-console-to-hard-disk.html">2 ways to install the recovery console</a> ~Robert~ PS If the extraction of 'hall.dll' doesn't solve your problem,you may need to repair the boot.ini file this way: At the command prompt, type bootcfg /list, and then press ENTER. The entries in your current Boot.ini file appear on the screen. But you most probably will have to continue : At the command prompt, type bootcfg /rebuild, and then press ENTER You will get a screen like this: C:\Windows Add installation to boot list? Yes /No/All In worst cases you may need to enter 'Microsoft Windows XP Professional' or 'Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition' manualy.('enter load identifier') or use /fastdetect when you get the 'Enter OS Load options'message. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25730 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:00:31 +0000 absminprof 25730@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ After extensive internet search, I have come to the conclusion that what I need is a re-install of windows. Since I dont have the code for my existing XP cd, I am going to get a new one. I guesss this is how microsoft keeps getting richer. Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25657 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:19:43 +0000 Robert 25657@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Please don't rush things... But you can try booting with another XP version to launch the recovery console and the command prompt. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25655 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:13:45 +0000 absminprof 25655@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ How about installing another XP on top of this and access the system 32 folder of original XP home ? Can I install another XP without overwriting the files ? May be I can install XP pro. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25640 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:59:08 +0000 absminprof 25640@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I think it must be something I am missing. Here is what happens in exact sequence. Switch on computer, the screen with the "intel" processor comes up. Here I press F8 (without any prompt) and I am taken to the blue screen that gives a few boot options and I chose CD, from then on I get to choose nothing. Probably I should be pressing R at sometime during this process (without any prompt from the computer). I understand that the xp cd unloads into my E drive and so when I try this processs a second time in close succession, i go staight to the screen asking for the code. There is no option readily noticed on the screen to exit set-up. Is there a shortcut that I can use (like pressing F8 or F4) to go the command prompt at any time. thanks for taking the time. Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25596 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:06:41 +0000 Robert 25596@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Strange...I did do a test run ..well one never knows with oem versions. It takes some time before you get the 'R' option. My guess is you must interact at the right time or the setup starts. Option 2:When you get to the missing code thing, try to exit the setup.There should be an option to do so and just maybe you will get a command prompt d:\. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25592 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:22:47 +0000 absminprof 25592@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Hi Robert. Continuing with the thread of XP not booting due to mising dll, I have failed to get the reovery consloe working. After I "press any key" to boot from CD, I am given no options to press 'R". The set-up starts checking and loading files and takes me straight to the missing 25 digit code. I must have tried this about 6 times now. Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25483 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:03:28 +0000 Robert 25483@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Hi again Copmom IMHO that should work for installing XP. However not always for activating. You *might* get something like this "This number is in use by another costumer" But then again (pre-loaded)recovery images are pre-activated. :) Where were you when the light went out in New-York City -lol-just a song they are playing on the radio... copmom on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25481 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:31:00 +0000 copmom 25481@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Interesting.. so in other words, either number set would work, right? goodgotd on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25468 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:30:43 +0000 goodgotd 25468@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ because it was preinstalled using an oem disc or image that goes on a truckload of machines at a time, then they toss an individual install cd packet in the box with different codes for each, and slap the coa stickers on from that pack. base machines the drives are preloaded with a base image, [like the restore disc image, eh?] customized use unattended install discs. with driver packs so they install without intervention. and the key code is already entered. labor to actually have a person install the stuff would be prohibitive, and your disc set wouldn't be m$ sealed, either. copmom on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988/page/2#post-25449 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:45:27 +0000 copmom 25449@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I got that magical jelly bean, and the numbers it shows for XP home are not the same as those on my original installation XP CD. Wonder why? sukibabe on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25445 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:14:06 +0000 sukibabe 25445@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Not to get picked on or edited for something that was never by no means offensive(like in the main page comments), The Dell issue seems to be solved! However, No more Jelly and Ice Cream, lmao, I eat neither one! Those were not my Words!!!! But I will stand up to my belief, I don't Eat Dells!!!!!!!!!!!! Suki Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25233 Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:19:24 +0000 Robert 25233@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ absminprof You probably figured it out,but I forgot to mention one step. 1. Insert your Windows XP CD in your CD/DVD drive and reboot. 2. Instead of loading Windows XP, your computer *should boot from the Windows XP CD* and you should see a message to 'Press any key to boot from CD' 3. *Press any key* to allow the computer to boot from the CD. When you reach the "welcome to setup screen",press R (second option)to launch the recovery console You will be asked to enter your admin password.If none:simply press enter You will get something like this: c:\windows When you reach the command prompt type : expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll press Enter Note: "d:\" being the drive letter of the drive that your Windows XP CD is currently in. "c:\windows" represents the drive and folder that Windows XP is currently installed on. If you're prompted to overwrite the file, press Y. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then *press Enter* to restart your PC. *If a missing or corrupt hal.dll file was your only issue*, Windows XP should now start normally. Bobby on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25111 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:13:15 +0000 Bobby 25111@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Several free resources for lost product keys (and probably more system information than you'll ever need): <a href="http://www3.sympatico.ca/gtopala/about_siw.html"> Greg Topala's SIW</a> (Freeware, just click 'skip this ad' on the top right corner of entry page); <a href="http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml">Magical Jelly Bean</a>; <a href="http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html">BelArc Advisor</a>; <a href="http://www.sofotex.com/AIDA32-download_L9326.html">Aida32</a>. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25091 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:11:12 +0000 absminprof 25091@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Thankyou Robert and FranckW. I will definitely try the suggested methods. FranckW on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25087 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:39:14 +0000 FranckW 25087@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ absminprof did you try to boot in safe mode? Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25086 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:38:15 +0000 Robert 25086@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ absminprof 1. Insert your Windows XP CD in your CD/DVD drive and reboot. 2. Instead of loading Windows XP, your computer *should boot from the Windows XP CD* and you should see a message to 'Press any key to boot from CD' 3. *Press any key* to allow the computer to boot from the CD. When you reach the command prompt type: expand d:\i386\hal.dl_ c:\windows\system32\hal.dll press Enter Note: "d:\" being the drive letter of the drive that your Windows XP CD is currently in. "c:\windows" represents the drive and folder that Windows XP is currently installed on. If you're prompted to overwrite the file, press Y. Take out the Windows XP CD, type exit and then *press Enter* to restart your PC. *If a missing or corrupt hal.dll file was your only issue*, Windows XP should now start normally. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25084 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:08:48 +0000 absminprof 25084@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Many thanks for that link. The problem is I have backed-up all my drives including the C drive, I have backed-up the registry. (Many, many thanks for Titan and Doublesafety, both giveaways). But all these sit in an external portable drive. Unfortunately, i did not know enough to create a bootable CD from my C drive or retrieve the product codes by the use of the suggested software When I switch on my computer 1) it stalls at 'not able to boot because hal-dll is missing from system 32' 2) when I boot from my XP cd it stalls at the product code page So, how do I get past these two blocks on my computer ? Incidentally, I had to turn off my "system restore" as it prevented me from backing up my drives to an external portable drive. With "system restore" on, I used to get an I/O error when I tired to back up (I learnt from internet resources that "system restore" creates shadow copies that interferes with the back-up process). Besides it was taking up 1 gb of my C drive, making the virtual memory run low while running certain tasks. Many thanks for trying to help Lee on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25082 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:46:20 +0000 Lee 25082@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Well rule one, always backup your system before installing anything. If you want to find your o.e.m. key get to <a href="http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2612" rel="nofollow">http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2612</a> and download that file which will show you your o.e.m. key. I would suggest you also harass the company that supplied you with your computer for an o.e.m. disk to which you are entitled to. If you need to do a repair install then you need it. absminprof on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25079 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:32:50 +0000 absminprof 25079@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I guess I am the latest victim of microsoft. After installing yesterdays giveaway (CyberPowerAudioEditingLab) my PC would not boot aftershutdown. Says it misses file hal.dll in system 32 folder. This is the first time this has happened to me in over 8 months of computer usage and about 6 months of visting and installing from GAOTD. I tired to boot from the Windows XP (Home) CD, but I am missing the 25 digit code which I am supposed to have saved. Since it came pre-installed, I am supposed to have "OEM" type of license (whatever that means). I called up microsoft help-line and after getting disconnected thrice,they told me to contact the vendor. The vendor does not know my code. My question is this 1) I activated and registered my windows as genuine. So does Microsfts concerns extend only upto their level of selfish interest in confirming a copy of windows as genuine. Does it not extend to helping lost souls (such as mine) ? 2)Is there no way of knowing my code ? I have read the previous posts, they either refer to things that I should have done when my PC was healthy or they are too complicated Bobby on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-25077 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:49:21 +0000 Bobby 25077@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I forgot the simplest explanation of all: try using hair gel (yep .. ordinary hair styling gel) on the cd. Polish from the center, out. One of my kids taught me this trick, and it's worked on some of my 10-year old data cd's as well as some of the grandkids' well-used X-Box and Play Station cd's (had to use the method twice on a cd that the baby used as a Frisbee, but eventually it DID work long enough for me to make a backup copy). To be honest, I've tried 'most every disk restoration trick out there, including a $ 50 disk polishing system. The only time hair gel has not worked is with chipped or cracked disks. Bobby on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-24999 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:13:31 +0000 Bobby 24999@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ @Zwilnik, if you take a look <a href="http://sniptools.com/tipstricks/reinstall-windows-xp-without-product-activation">here</a> it will tell you how (re)activate your copy of XP on the _same_ machine with the _same_ hardware after a reinstall or repair. Now, for the repair: There is a built in repair called SFC \scannow, initiated by START >RUN >SFC \SCANNOW. It will ask for your WIndows CD, however, there is a work around: Windows keeps a cache of important files at C:\Windows\System32\DLLcache. You can find the instructions for this procedure <a href="http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html">here</a> or: go to <a href="http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm">NTFS Boot Disk Website </a> and download a boot disk that will give you access to files on an NTFS partition; or: go to <a href="http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/#intro">Bart's </a> and download a 'pre-installed environment' system. For additional tips 'n tricks, try <a href="http://www.theeldergeek.com/repairing_windows_xp.htm"> The Elder Geek</a>. JoanRC on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-24992 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:17:11 +0000 JoanRC 24992@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Hey, Suki, I have worked in customer service for over 15 years. Don't waste your time threatening the agents. It just gets their back up. Most large companies are already recording customer service phone calls. The agents know this and it is so stated somehwere in the fine print of your contract or other paperwork. Every call is logged by the software. The agent codes the type of issue you are having, and codes whatever redress was given, including any personal emails he may have sent. If you need to call back about the same issue, the next agent is required to rely on whatever is in the file, and is not required to believe your version of events if it does not match what is in the file. If he does believe you, he may not necessarily know how to fit your version into the file in conformance with whatever is already in there. You can only hope that the previous agent understood your issue and recorded it correctly. Customers who abuse, threaten, or try to manipulate agents don't understand how that can backfire. In most of the places I have worked, supervisors do not take calls from customers. Ever. We usually have some kind of mentor that we can call for advice. They sometimes will let us transfer a customer to them. Sometimes they just give generic advice and hang up. We quickly learn that we are really on our own. I worked at one company that does customer support for a number of big name companies. The training I received, when I did receive any, was not quite as bad as in this article at Salon.com, <a href="hhttp://dir.salon.com/story/tech/feature/2004/02/23/no_support/index.html" rel="nofollow">hhttp://dir.salon.com/story/tech/feature/2004/02/23/no_support/index.html</a> , but it was just as useless. The instructor ran the information by us too fast for us to absorb and then spent the rest of the time chatting it up with her favourites. The noise level was not conducive to studying. She told us "I am an instructor, not a teacher". We were given open book exams and were told exactly where to find the answers. She got top marks as an instructor because most of us passed with high marks. We were told that we would be able to rely on the information in our knowledge data base and not to worry about what we were told in class. When we hit the floor, we discovered that maybe a quarter of this information was out of date or just plain wrong. We were told that hanging up on customers was not an option. We were not told what to do when the customer was not satisfied even though we had done all that we were allowed to for him. We were allowed to request that abusive customers use a professional tone; but this piece of advice came through word of mouth from other agents. It was not official policy. This was a new call centre and the phone exchanges had not been set up properly and many people were either ending up in the wrong department or being hung up on. This went on for a whole month before the company fixed it. This told me that the company really did not care if customers got hung up on. At the pizza call centre where I work now, I once took a call from a customer who had been hung up on three times because the agents did not know how to process an order for a customer using a gift certificate. So, I placed the order, worked out the discount manually, added a notation to the order indicating what had happened, sent the order -- and then called someone to find out how it should have been done. That all had a negative impact on my call processing time, decreasing any bonus I may have been earning that hour. Because of the emphasis on call processing time, we have no time to process whatever emotional or psychological reactions we may be experiencing, good or bad. If I have had a particularly good experience, the next caller might be put off by the lingering enthusiasm, interpreting it as undue familiarity. If I have had a bad experience, the caller may be put off by the coldness that results from holding in my pain or anger. In either case, they may become abusive. I hang up on customers as a last resort. If the customer keeps insisting on a result that does not match the redress made available by the company, I give him three chances to recognize that the conversation has become redundant and is no longer productive. I will not let him waste my time, nor the time of the customers waiting in line for assistance, and I will hang up on him. If he has been polite, I will let him know that the conversation is over. That hang up button is so easy to brush against while reaching for my coffee cup. Some agents just put them on hold and then go for lunch. Sometimes, if the customer is not getting the kind of service they want from our client, I transfer him through to one of the client's competitors. I don't have the patience displayed by the customer service agent in this youtube video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjSTTb_siCU" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjSTTb_siCU</a> . Note that the agent is not allowed to give even the simple assistance required here until the customer has given him the verification information. If the agent is not providing the redress that you want, your best option is to re-read your paperwork or call again and hope to get someone who is more knowledgeable. Robert on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-24990 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:19:00 +0000 Robert 24990@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ @Lee Hi. I second that. And..I usually help people out by making a small partition on their HD with an image of the freshly installed OS (and programs),just in case. @Suki But I did enjoy your comment,Suki. ;) Lee on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-24986 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:02:42 +0000 Lee 24986@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ O.K. lets have no more rude words about people that cannot defend themselves. Some advice, when purchasing software disks, make a backup copy of the disk so not to tarnish the original media. Sure a few of us do already as we make a slipstreaming, integrating install disk of windows ops. I have this for xp sp2, then sp3 when it's RTM. Also for my 64 bit vista HP edition o.e.m. Some people may argue that copying the media disk is a violation of the copyright holder rules and regulations, however, unless it says not to copy the disk, then make your own personal backup copy. If it says to ask permission then email the copyright holder for permission, it does work. If you need help taking the data off the disk and then burning it to a backup disk and making it bootable, then nLite (xp) or vLite (vista) will help you. sukibabe on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-24970 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 05:50:08 +0000 sukibabe 24970@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ No more jelly and ice cream !!! As a customer gesture they are sending the Windows CD's! However, Desktop is 4 download links for Drivers etc.......... Laptop, link for one driver set, that is out of date, but the <snipped> staff don't know I updated those drivers via their site!!!! Suki sukibabe on "XP cd unreadable" http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/2988#post-24942 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:53:40 +0000 sukibabe 24942@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ copmom Just wanted to update you on the situation from Dell! First <snipped> representative I talked to, named Rocky, said they could not send me the CD's because my WARRANTY was expired and when I asked for a supervisor or someone higher up, he said no one at DELL would help me! I was so peed at this! I have a Dell preferred account and told him I would never(and I have spent allot of money with them) buy from them again! He just kept telling my I had to buy them now, and no one at Dell would send me them! I even offered to pay the postage! After I got myself out of my state of mind(I wanted to wring his neck and kick him in the U No What), I calmed down a bit and called my son who Majored in Business and now works for Sprint. I guess he's used to bs, lol, was good at it when he was a kid! He recommended to call back and get someone else. If they didn't play ball, he gave me an arson el of stuff to use on them, lol! He has a Dell also(bought in 2003, at that time they included the CD's)! I did what he said and called back. I got a very nice guy from India Peter(I think I have talked to this guy before, he sounded so familiar)and he understood my request and said he would send the CD's! There was the traditional auto response and then he sent me a personal message(we had talked about the weather and time difference) saying that he enjoyed talking to me(I told him I would call Dell and recommend a raise. One of the things my son told me to do was get the name, employee ID number and the location, also date, time and tell them if I wanted to, that I was recording the conversation), he even tried to mimic my Midwestern slang of Ba By! Hopefully I will get the cd's! My son gave me other options to use also! He said that Dell employees were ill trained and they wouldn't even know what I could lay on them,lol, ie...the consumer protection act(said it's bs, but sounds good), the more serious stuff, Better Business Bureau(said Dell is so low in sales, that I would probably get my cd's in a week) and the good old Lawer, just to mention a few! Well, my Dell rant is over for now, but I don't know if I would buy from them again!???? Suki