local disk labeled (H:)

#16 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 12:47 PM

it is even confusing to the computer I think.
there is only 1 windows folder in H:
I found this page that mentioned the unidentified OS. I am unsure if it applies. It doesn't mention having 2 xp though.

unidentified OS

#17 hamluis

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 12:56 PM

Good find

.

Another task...go to Explorer view in H: and locate the boot.ini file. Double-click...copy the data that appears...and paste that into your next post.

Louis

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#18 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 01:44 PM

any idea which folder that would be in? I have documents and settings, program files, recycler, system volume information, and windows folders

#19 hamluis

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 01:59 PM

It has no folder...should be among the basic files reflected from viewing all of H:.

It's one of the files below all those folders.

Note...you must have enabled the viewing of system files and all file extensions...if you want to see this and other system files.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/h...iddenfiles.mspx

Louis

This post has been edited by hamluis: 14 September 2010 - 01:59 PM

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#20 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 02:16 PM

show hidden files was already checked. I attached the screenshot of what I have, but don't see a boot.ini file

Attached File(s)

drive_h_screen_shot.jpg (94.15K)
Number of downloads: 1

#21 frank_cheese

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 02:19 PM

check out this article, i used it when i had a similar problem to yours :thumbsup:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/223188

Failure is not an option, it comes as Standard with all Windows Operating Systems

#22 hamluis

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 02:23 PM

Thanks.

Then it must be on your C: partition...the typical Windows install will put the boot.ini and the Windows files on the same partition. It seems that Gateway has a different idea...actually, I can't blame Gateway since your friend had a hand in this current situation :thumbsup:

.

Take a look at the files reflected on your C: partition, please.

Louis

If you are bored sometime and want to understand just what a boot.ini file is...see The Boot.ini File.

How to edit the Boot.ini file in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;289022

This post has been edited by hamluis: 14 September 2010 - 02:28 PM
Reason for edit: Added links.

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#23 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 05:11 PM

Thanks for the info hamlius. I appear to have a new hobby, so appreciate the info.
I found a Boot folder in C: and have attached the screen shot.

We had 3 comps go down in about a month and a half. Beggars can't be choosers. Though, I blame myself for trying to educate myself now instead of earlier.

Attached File(s)

boot_screen_shot.jpg (96.42K)
Number of downloads: 4

#24 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 05:28 PM

sorry, went back over our conversation. finally found the bootini
see attached

Attached File(s)

bootini_screen_shot.jpg (99.02K)
Number of downloads: 0

#25 hamluis

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 05:39 PM

LOL...you have more spirit and willingness to learn...than many who post here...that's a compliment :thumbsup:

.

Now, the bad news...that set of folders in the screenshot...seem to indicate that this system is/was set up for Vista, not XP. The folders with BCD...those indicate a boot structure native to Vista and Win 7...which is totally different from that used by XP. But this is a Gateway system and it would not be familiar to me, since I've never had such.

So I am rather confused as to what has taken place on your system. I've tried to be entertaining as I stumbled along...but this is just leading to more confusion than it's worth.

Click Start...right-click My Computer, then click Properties. What's printed under System?

Thanks :flowers:

.

Louis

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#26 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 05:41 PM

I noticed in the example bootini that it stated the OS then fast detect, but both of the xp have noexecute=optin /fastdetect /noexecute=alwaysoff in their bootini files

#27 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 05:46 PM

its only ever had xp on it

the current info Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3
you obviously know more than me, so thanks for the compliment and the admission that this is rather confusing

#28 hamluis

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 06:15 PM

I've been engaging in wrong thinking...this is a MCE system, from what I can see. I've been approaching as if it were similar to one of my systems...and it's not.

It should have come with MCE 2005 installed, but that seems minor now.

http://support.gateway.com/s/manuals/desktops/9532287.pdf, these are the directions for creating/using the disks that owners are expected to create.

Because you don't have disks...seems to me that you have three choices:

a. Try to create recovery disks now.

b. Contact Gateway and try to get them to send you appropriate recovery/restore CDs that can be used to restore the system.

c. Borrow/have someone burn you an XP Pro CD...then use that (along with your license) to reinstall XP.

This is the manual for your system, http://support.gateway.com/s/Manuals/Desktops/8510158.pdf.

Maybe someone with experience with Gateway systems...can provide better alternatives.

Louis

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#29 travis73005

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 06:54 PM

we made recovery disks when we first got the computer and tried to use them, but they didn't work.
We've done a system recovery and then a destructive system recovery in the past 6 months.
So another system recovery? Ugh!
Thanks for the help. I'll check with gateway and see about getting a disk.

#30 hamluis

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Posted 14 September 2010 - 06:59 PM

Well...that's how the system is set up...one of the things that owners of OEM systems (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc.) have to understand.

The manufacturers of those systems determine how repairs can be attempted and how installs can be made. That can be erased by buying a retail copy of XP, deleting everything, and then installing the newly-bought copy...but most owners of these systems don't see any benefit in doing that.

Good luck :thumbsup:

.

Louis

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