Computer and backup disc problems

catalina66

Hiya :-)

Couple of problems cropped up... can't install Microsoft updates, and there are 89 needing installed!

Not sure if it's something to do with having used a Vista Transformation Pack which ended up messing a few things up, so I removed it but still not great ... did a repair of Windows XP, using Dell Reinstallation CD but then during the repair it became clear the disc is now faulty (thank goodness it wasn't a full format I was doing!)... am out of warranty, and I didn't keep the backup disc that you can create yourself once I got the original from Dell, as I didn't imagine within 2 years the original XP disc would show any problems.

Questions basically are, how to be able to install the updates, and what do people think my chances are about Dell replacing the system disc without any charge? They were brilliant 2 years ago when I needed the original one, sent it out for free. Have emailed the same person that arranged this 2 years ago, hoping they're still there, but not heard back yet. Just wondering if I'll have to pay a lot! Heard sometimes people have to pay for a replacement disc. Crossed my mind about finding an alternative operating system, to save money, but i don't think that's possible with a Dell desktop [1100].

Many thanks, Cat

jje_2

You can grab downloads from
http://www.softwarepatch.com/index.html


Recovery Try tappig F11 on boot up to see if it goes into Dell recovery mode .
As to install disc you have a licence for XP whatever version you got from Dell.so you should only need a physical copy of the disc Windows XP OEM .
What it will lack is the Drivers that Dell supplied but it should install and run most stuff then you can grab the drivers for your model from Dell or do it before .
Google for a copy of Dell Recovery Discs
E bay can also be a source
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laptop-Parts-Dell-Inspiron-1100-Recovery-Discs_W0QQitemZ170193417913QQihZ007QQcategoryZ3806QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.gennersales.co.uk/recovery/dell.htm

jje

albertross_2

A windows repair, from an XP CD (not a system restore CD) can stop windows updates working, try going to www.windowsupdates.com instead.

chunter

In Windows update, when it screams it hasn't done the 90 updates,
it should lead you to an error code.

Whack this into Microsoft search, and it should lead you a reasonable straightfoward solution.

catalina66

jje wrote: »

You can grab downloads from
http://www.softwarepatch.com/index.html


Recovery Try tappig F11 on boot up to see if it goes into Dell recovery mode .
As to install disc you have a licence for XP whatever version you got from Dell.so you should only need a physical copy of the disc Windows XP OEM .
What it will lack is the Drivers that Dell supplied but it should install and run most stuff then you can grab the drivers for your model from Dell or do it before .
Google for a copy of Dell Recovery Discs
E bay can also be a source
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laptop-Parts-Dell-Inspiron-1100-Recovery-Discs_W0QQitemZ170193417913QQihZ007QQcategoryZ3806QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://www.gennersales.co.uk/recovery/dell.htm

jje

Many thanks jje. :beer: That softwarepatch link is awesome. If I download the XP Service Pack 3 would it be okay with my Dell, and could I create a backup disc from it so I could format/repair?

Many thanks for Ebay link (oops, I should have said it's a Dimension Desktop 1100) and the gunnersales one is great; great to know there's that option there if need be. Thanks.

Cheers, Cat

Linbox

New autopatcher available

Works well, updated my VM of XPpro with no problems.

catalina66

albertross wrote: »

A windows repair, from an XP CD (not a system restore CD) can stop windows updates working, try going to www.windowsupdates.com instead.

Many thanks albertross. Hadn't known that. Thanks for link! :beer: Cheers, Cat

catalina66

chunter wrote: »

In Windows update, when it screams it hasn't done the 90 updates,
it should lead you to an error code.

Whack this into Microsoft search, and it should lead you a reasonable straightfoward solution.

Thanks chunter :beer: They all download and I click for them to start to install. They begin to, but then it just pops up saying couldn't be installed. I don't see an error code, but I may have missed it. Will check. Much appreciate. Cheers, Cat

catalina66

Linbox wrote: »

New autopatcher available

Works well, updated my VM of XPpro with no problems.

Hi Linbox, not sure if I'm having a dozy moment ... snore ... but what's VM, and is the download an XP patch that works with Dell Dimension, that I can make a disk of? Not sure what I'm downloading. Okay to have a link to the page the download is from. Maximum instructions, minimum wreckage potential, with me! Cheers, Cat :beer:

catalina66

Just briefly to report ... contacted Dell through the site and just got a very helpful email back checking out regarding the error and saying a disk can be supplied. Thanks again for responses. Much appreciate. Cheers, Cat

albertross_2

start, run

notepad c:\windows\windowsupdate.log