Serious Problem. Need help urgently!!

Stephen P

I tried to install Win XP Pro on my mates laptop this evening and its gone terribly wrong. It didn't seem to install properly and now it doesn't seem like there's an operating system installed on the laptop. I can't even boot it into Safe Mode. What do I do?
When I boot the laptop from the CD it says thats already in process of an upgrade and press enter to continue the upgrade. The next screen says that:

Set up has already attempted to upgrade the following Windows installation:

C:\WINDOWS "Microsoft Windows XP Professional"

Setup will try to complete the upgrade again.

- To retry upgrading to Windows XP, press Enter
- To quit Setup, press F3

If I press enter it goes through the whole process again and doesn't seem to install it and the laptop doesn't have any OS at all by the looks of things. If I press quit it starts all over again.

Has anyone got any idea's? My mate will bloody kill me if I f**k it up. How can I undo everything I've done?

Someone please help me!!!

logic

Are you upgrading or doing a clean install. If its a clean install, you could just boot off the cd again and format the disk.

ressem

Undo everything? Possibly can't. What were you upgrading from?

doesn't seem like there's an operating system installed on the laptop. I can't even boot it into Safe Mode.

when trying to boot from the disk...
Does it tell you "No operating system found"? Describe thoroughly what does appear up to the error message.

This might allow us to point to the appropriate tool whether that involves restoring the MBR, or looking for specialist drivers.

e.g. creating a boot disk. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305595/

If machine is black screening before windows logo, maybe
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
fixmbr as per http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307654/

Is the boot partition NTFS or FAT32?

Better for your friend if you provide more info before running the repair console though.

Stephen P

XP Pro has installed ok with the loss of some programs but all the personal files are still there. But there is one problem though, the system doesn't recognise some of the hardware, Multimedia Audio Controller, PCI Modem, SM Bus Controller, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controller, Video Controller (VGA Compatible).

Where do I find the drivers to install the above?

TerrorFirmer

The Drivers should have come with the lappy itself on a recovery CD.

Failing that, you're just going to have to find out the makes and models of each one, and download them from the net...

Stephen P

how would i find the make and model of the soundcard & other hardware without opening the laptop up?
My mate can't find the recovery CD, which is no help at all

odie

What is the make and model of the Laptop itself?

Go to the laptop manufacturers website, check the support section for XP drivers that suit the model of laptop you have.

Stephen P

its one of pc worlds ei systems & I can't find a website for them

odie

Do you mean e-machines if so then you can get info here -

http://www.e4me.com/support/product_support.html

daywalker

Support for EI Systems is provided from the PC ServiceCall Website

http://www.pcservicecall.co.uk/Layout.aspx?CatID={ad69e70c-dcc7-48b5-86c5-b0980ea8a905}&ID={1d5da0f0-60f6-49fe-a9de-d3386432e315}

Stephen P

No its an ei system, think its similiar to emachines. There's no reference to ei system on the emachines website

logic

is there some sort of model number or serial number the system somewhere?

Mr. Presentable

http://www.eisystems.be/N_frame.html?http://www.eisystems.be/

Their website.........

daywalker

spannerhead wrote:

http://www.eisystems.be/N_frame.html?http://www.eisystems.be/

Their website.........

Dont see any reference to actual EI Systems laptop, seems to be just a shop for other makes of laptops and PCs

Any PC or Laptop that is bought in a dixons,currys or PC World is supported through PC Servicecall

http://www.pcservicecall.co.uk/Layout.aspx?CatID={ad69e70c-dcc7-48b5-86c5-b0980ea8a905}&ID={1d5da0f0-60f6-49fe-a9de-d3386432e315}

Stephen P

I got the sound working
I just have to install some USB drivers now which I think is sorted

Stephen P

Whats an SM Bus Controller? Under device manager there's an exclamation mark & question mark. Under properties it says its not working

logic

if you have chipset drivers, try reinstalling them