Can't get into Safe Mode after SP2 install

Does anyone know where to write to Microsoft to get a copy of one's original
Win XP CD? I bought an Averatec Laptop last year but they only gave me 3
"recovery" discs that will only restore the pc to its original Manuf config
(wipes out everything).

I ran the SP2 update but when it rebooted, it ran into trouble and came back
with the screen giving me 3 options for Safe mode -- Tried all 3. In each
case, after rebooting, it would only come back to the same Safe mode options
screen. So I can't even back out to the previous restore point. Reloading
all my programs from scratch would be a REAL pain.

I tried a number of things and suggestions from different sites but I am
back at having to have to boot from the original Win XP CD and entering the
key. But Averatec will not give me my original XP CD even though I PAID for
it with my purchase of the laptop. I am told the Microsoft will send you a
copy of your original full version Win XP CD (with proof of course), BUT I
can't find any info on where to write or send a request to (BTW the product
support email they have I can't use since the Prod ID code for my XP is OEM
and it says contact the Manuf).

Has anyone tried getting their Orig WIn XP cd from Microsoft when their
Manuf won't send them one? Can someone please help? I am stuck and out of
gas on this.

BTW if anyone is wondering, I was trying the backdoor approach that I found
on some help board that tells of a way to booting into command mode and then
locating a two digit restore point # that would allow one to then execute a
restore manually. BUT I need the original XP Cd to boot from.

Sorry for the long winded message post. Thanks in advance to anyone for any
help.

David

If you have an OEM you would have to pay for Microsoft CD.

Use add/remove for SP2 and it puts you back to SP1.

Frank

"DavidY" <> wrote in message
news:0A4BEE55-B57A-43D3-9B9D-...
> Does anyone know where to write to Microsoft to get a copy of one's
> original
> Win XP CD? I bought an Averatec Laptop last year but they only gave me 3
> "recovery" discs that will only restore the pc to its original Manuf
> config
> (wipes out everything).
>
> I ran the SP2 update but when it rebooted, it ran into trouble and came
> back
> with the screen giving me 3 options for Safe mode -- Tried all 3. In each
> case, after rebooting, it would only come back to the same Safe mode
> options
> screen. So I can't even back out to the previous restore point. Reloading
> all my programs from scratch would be a REAL pain.
>
> I tried a number of things and suggestions from different sites but I am
> back at having to have to boot from the original Win XP CD and entering
> the
> key. But Averatec will not give me my original XP CD even though I PAID
> for
> it with my purchase of the laptop. I am told the Microsoft will send you
> a
> copy of your original full version Win XP CD (with proof of course), BUT I
> can't find any info on where to write or send a request to (BTW the
> product
> support email they have I can't use since the Prod ID code for my XP is
> OEM
> and it says contact the Manuf).
>
> Has anyone tried getting their Orig WIn XP cd from Microsoft when their
> Manuf won't send them one? Can someone please help? I am stuck and out of
> gas on this.
>
> BTW if anyone is wondering, I was trying the backdoor approach that I
> found
> on some help board that tells of a way to booting into command mode and
> then
> locating a two digit restore point # that would allow one to then execute
> a
> restore manually. BUT I need the original XP Cd to boot from.
>
> Sorry for the long winded message post. Thanks in advance to anyone for
> any
> help.
>
> David

Frank,
Thanks for the response but I didn't make myself clear - I can't even get
into Safe Mode, much less get into the stage where I can add/remove anything.
If I were able to get into one of the Safe modes on boot, then yes I would be
able to go back to the previous Restore Points that XP creates just before
the SP2 was installed.

Secondly, you are not quite correct about paying for something I already
paid for when I bought my laptop. Buying the laptop paid for the XP license
and I am entitled to my original Win XP software, although technically, I
should get it from the Manufacturer (which doesn't want to go thru the
trouble). They are cutting costs. One of the current issues of a respected
PC magazine's current issue has an article about creating a bootable disk
AFTER you install SP2 (called "slipstreaming") because you original Win XP cd
will no longer be usable. In that article the author says that usually
Microsoft will send you a copy of the original CD (I am talking about one
that match your original Key) if you ask them for it. I suppose they don't
have to but they have in a number of cases. I am just looking for an address
/ email / phone or someplace I can send my request to.
David



"FrankV" wrote:

> If you have an OEM you would have to pay for Microsoft CD.
>
> Use add/remove for SP2 and it puts you back to SP1.
>
> Frank
>
> "DavidY" <> wrote in message
> news:0A4BEE55-B57A-43D3-9B9D-...
> > Does anyone know where to write to Microsoft to get a copy of one's
> > original
> > Win XP CD? I bought an Averatec Laptop last year but they only gave me 3
> > "recovery" discs that will only restore the pc to its original Manuf
> > config
> > (wipes out everything).
> >
> > I ran the SP2 update but when it rebooted, it ran into trouble and came
> > back
> > with the screen giving me 3 options for Safe mode -- Tried all 3. In each
> > case, after rebooting, it would only come back to the same Safe mode
> > options
> > screen. So I can't even back out to the previous restore point. Reloading
> > all my programs from scratch would be a REAL pain.
> >
> > I tried a number of things and suggestions from different sites but I am
> > back at having to have to boot from the original Win XP CD and entering
> > the
> > key. But Averatec will not give me my original XP CD even though I PAID
> > for
> > it with my purchase of the laptop. I am told the Microsoft will send you
> > a
> > copy of your original full version Win XP CD (with proof of course), BUT I
> > can't find any info on where to write or send a request to (BTW the
> > product
> > support email they have I can't use since the Prod ID code for my XP is
> > OEM
> > and it says contact the Manuf).
> >
> > Has anyone tried getting their Orig WIn XP cd from Microsoft when their
> > Manuf won't send them one? Can someone please help? I am stuck and out of
> > gas on this.
> >
> > BTW if anyone is wondering, I was trying the backdoor approach that I
> > found
> > on some help board that tells of a way to booting into command mode and
> > then
> > locating a two digit restore point # that would allow one to then execute
> > a
> > restore manually. BUT I need the original XP Cd to boot from.
> >
> > Sorry for the long winded message post. Thanks in advance to anyone for
> > any
> > help.
> >
> > David
>
>
>

I think we both are getting a little mixed up now.

First: In your words: "am back at having to have to boot from the original
Win XP CD and entering the key" I thought you meant you could boot
completely from this original version. I guess what you meant then was you
where stuck because you didn't have this.

Second: The OEM version IS NOT the same as the original MS or are you saying
the OEM had not modified it? Most of the OEMs now DO NOT give you the
original. The change normally is nothing but putting there name but it gives
MS the excuse to refuse any free help. Depends upon what your original
license said.

Frank


"DavidY" <> wrote in message
news:339296F3-0629-42C5-A5DC-...
> Frank,
> Thanks for the response but I didn't make myself clear - I can't even get
> into Safe Mode, much less get into the stage where I can add/remove
> anything.
> If I were able to get into one of the Safe modes on boot, then yes I would
> be
> able to go back to the previous Restore Points that XP creates just before
> the SP2 was installed.
>
> Secondly, you are not quite correct about paying for something I already
> paid for when I bought my laptop. Buying the laptop paid for the XP
> license
> and I am entitled to my original Win XP software, although technically, I
> should get it from the Manufacturer (which doesn't want to go thru the
> trouble). They are cutting costs. One of the current issues of a
> respected
> PC magazine's current issue has an article about creating a bootable disk
> AFTER you install SP2 (called "slipstreaming") because you original Win XP
> cd
> will no longer be usable. In that article the author says that usually
> Microsoft will send you a copy of the original CD (I am talking about one
> that match your original Key) if you ask them for it. I suppose they don't
> have to but they have in a number of cases. I am just looking for an
> address
> / email / phone or someplace I can send my request to.
> David
>
>
>
> "FrankV" wrote:
>
>> If you have an OEM you would have to pay for Microsoft CD.
>>
>> Use add/remove for SP2 and it puts you back to SP1.
>>
>> Frank
>>
>> "DavidY" <> wrote in message
>> news:0A4BEE55-B57A-43D3-9B9D-...
>> > Does anyone know where to write to Microsoft to get a copy of one's
>> > original
>> > Win XP CD? I bought an Averatec Laptop last year but they only gave me
>> > 3
>> > "recovery" discs that will only restore the pc to its original Manuf
>> > config
>> > (wipes out everything).
>> >
>> > I ran the SP2 update but when it rebooted, it ran into trouble and came
>> > back
>> > with the screen giving me 3 options for Safe mode -- Tried all 3. In
>> > each
>> > case, after rebooting, it would only come back to the same Safe mode
>> > options
>> > screen. So I can't even back out to the previous restore point.
>> > Reloading
>> > all my programs from scratch would be a REAL pain.
>> >
>> > I tried a number of things and suggestions from different sites but I
>> > am
>> > back at having to have to boot from the original Win XP CD and entering
>> > the
>> > key. But Averatec will not give me my original XP CD even though I
>> > PAID
>> > for
>> > it with my purchase of the laptop. I am told the Microsoft will send
>> > you
>> > a
>> > copy of your original full version Win XP CD (with proof of course),
>> > BUT I
>> > can't find any info on where to write or send a request to (BTW the
>> > product
>> > support email they have I can't use since the Prod ID code for my XP is
>> > OEM
>> > and it says contact the Manuf).
>> >
>> > Has anyone tried getting their Orig WIn XP cd from Microsoft when their
>> > Manuf won't send them one? Can someone please help? I am stuck and out
>> > of
>> > gas on this.
>> >
>> > BTW if anyone is wondering, I was trying the backdoor approach that I
>> > found
>> > on some help board that tells of a way to booting into command mode and
>> > then
>> > locating a two digit restore point # that would allow one to then
>> > execute
>> > a
>> > restore manually. BUT I need the original XP Cd to boot from.
>> >
>> > Sorry for the long winded message post. Thanks in advance to anyone for
>> > any
>> > help.
>> >
>> > David
>>
>>
>>