A Year Later Computer Again is Circling The Drain...All Tech Ping!!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1979332/posts#73 ^ | 04.17.09 | chickensoup

[ConservativeMind]

If you have a backup to restore from, you do not want either installation. You want to reformat and reinstall.

If you don't have a backup, then you will need to spend some time determining which is the boot Windows and which is an extra one (you only have one active boot Windows). It sounds like you reinstalled Windows without having it overwrite your prior install, so now you have two. If this is the case, at least you have a working hard drive.

[Chickensoup]

is there a special answer to which windows inatallation would you like to log onto?

[Chickensoup]

Oh sheesh, now I really feel like crap for my initial snotty comment and I am sorry.

dont...

I am just frustrated and piled it on.

Sorry

[ConservativeMind]

Ignore this advice from “djf”. You have no need for Windows 98 and you don't have the knowledge to set up partitions to make this partially work (I say partially because you still have to assure you have a boot loader that also loads first prior to either version of Windows.

I don't know if djf is playing with you or legitimately helping, but that suggestion is crazy.

[ConservativeMind]

The second one is the newest.

[Chickensoup]

so do i type 2?

[Chickensoup]

i punched in 2 nothing happened unlessi should type enter afterwards

[Chickensoup]

I am at the c prompt

It says c:\window>

[AFreeBird]

That doesn't work if your HD is dying, and they do die. Also motherboards die, and so do power supplies.

And if you feel you have to reformat and reload your OS every 6 mos., something ain't right. There is no reason for anyone to have to do that.

[NoLibZone]

That’s why I said if it’s OS related.

[ConservativeMind]

Sorry, had to leave for a bit.

Is it booting from your CD?? That should have taken you to a Windows install if you booted from the hard drive.

I don’t think you’ve told us that you have a backup, Chickensoup. Do you? If so, really, that will be a better option. Repairing your system with two Windows installs of unknown age is going to be a little complicated over a forum.

Please tell us if you do or do not have a backup.

[ConservativeMind]

If you don’t have a backup, do a reinstall of Windows without the format. That is basically a Repair option that reinstalls Windows on top of your prior install. That will keep all of your data and email, but likely disable most of your extra installed programs (they are still there but your registry is shot).

I can’t tell you which install to do this to because I don’t know if you accidentally installed the second copy today or if that was an old (but your newest) install.

Your hard drive is working, at least, so your data is still there.

[Chickensoup]

I have a maxtor external drive.

[ConservativeMind]

I agree with your take on that.

If you can’t take care of your Windows install, you don’t know what you are doing. Registry cleaners, drive cleaners, uninstalls, disk defragmenters, etc. all help you keep your current install going for years. Couple that with backups, and you are golden.

[Chickensoup]

I do not understand why it wants to know what window installation I want to log on to

[ConservativeMind]

Do you know that it was ackup up for you or do you not know? How frequently did it back up? If every night, or even just once a week, you would be better served by using that to restore using the order I’ve already given in this thread.

[Jean S]

Do you have any local computer stores in your area? I don't mean a Best Buy or such, but a smaller company. We have a local computer company that will do free diagnostics, they're Wisconsin based. You might want to send them a email, they give free advice to everyone. They've helped me more than once and I've always received a reply within a day or two. mpcradio@milwaukeepc.com

Their website is Milwaukee PC

[ConservativeMind]

You have installed Windows twice, into separate directories on this computer, rather than overwriting a prior install.

This is not bad (I had that setup for awhile by accident), but it makes this sort of troubleshooting more difficult. Basically, you have two Windows subdirectories on the same partition, that is what I think you’ve got there. I can’t imagine you’ve made a partition because that would have required much more knowledge. However, about the two installs, I wonder now if you did them or if the prior owner did tham.

We can’t know without looking at file dates of certain configuration files (because executables could be identical dates coming from the same CD install done twice, using the dates of compilation from Microsoft and not your system date to imprint the dates, while configuration files are done as you install).

[ConservativeMind]

I meant to say, “Do you know if it was backing up for you or not?”

[djf]

My first computer job was in 1975.

When was yours?