Really need some help please!!

Hi everyone

We run Windows XP Home Edition and until a "so called expert" was let loose
on this computer, had no problems.

We are unable to download updates and the software seems to be missing? The
computer came with pre-installed stuff on so no XP disc etc. I have tried
putting in the manu's restore disc and nothing happens. I was hoping to
"repair" from this disc. It looks like I can';t even take it back to manu's
condition on purchase. I have tried restoring to an earlier time and that
also dosen't work.

It looks hopeless to me, but someone may know a solution?

Thanks for reading this.

Regards

Pam

 

If it was an inexpensive computer that you got years ago,
then fixing it may be foolish. Otherwise, boot from the manu's
restore disk. If it boots from the disk, you should get a restore.

You may need to change the boot order to boot from disk.
If so, press the key the screen advises at boot to access BIOS.
Find the boot order, change it, and save the change.

 

Hi Michael

It is only 3 yrs old (H.P. e-machine) and was quite expensive at that time.
It was never used much when we first got it, as I did the net stuff on our
smaller one running 98. (that was easier to sort out)

i did try booting from the disc, but that also didn't work. Looks like we
have a lemon!! I remeber reading somewhere that doing the restore to an
earlier time, works in "safe mode" as long as you re-boot back into "safe
mode". I think I will have to try anything!!

Thanks for your reply.

 

Hi Pam,

The way original equipment manufacturers usually set up recovery
is to make you boot the computer from the recovery disk, then have
reinstall wipe out everything and take it back to fresh from the factory.

I did not hear you say that you accessed BIOS and changed the
boot order to boot from the CD instead of the hard disk, so I'm
not sure that you did that. When you first boot up the computer,
there is a black screen with white letters. Somewhere there will
be advice to press a certain key to get BIOS - often the Del key.

This happens long before safe mode is an option. So I have to
ask, did you manage to access BIOS? Changing the boot is
one of the screens in BIOS - frequently the second one. Then
you have to save that change and exit BIOS.