submix8c

OK, you keep saying the Desktop is a CD/DVD burner. What model? Is it really a DVD Reader/Burner or just a CD Reader/Burner? (Make/Model, please...)

Nope... As stated, to integrate a Service Pack, you MUST do it on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP. As noted, AFTER Service Pack integration, anything else can be done on Windows7. As stated, there is a FREE from Microsoft an XP-MODE for Windows7 Package that you can do it on. What's the problem with that? Get it, Install It, Run the Installed XP (a Virtual PC running ON TOP OF Windows7), use IT to do the work you need done. THAT is your alternative. Take it or leave it. Sorry... (is your install NOT legit?)

Huh! May have to revise some information. Win7 Users want to put a final confirmation on this? (p.s. First time I heard this phrased this way and didn't even consider the post-SP functionality.)

READ THAT LINK I GAVE to "reinstall" CAREFULLY to avoid any mistakes! You booted to the CD (pressed "any key")!!! This is a SPECIAL way of reinstalling without losing what's already on the HDD. Also REREAD what I said about "integrating/slipstreaming" Service Pack 3. IF you're CD has SP2 AND the HDD had SP3 installed (via e.g. Windows Update), THEN you will HAVE to "integrate to CD" for it to work (procedure as indicated above)! Sorry for "YELLING", getting frustrated! Read carefully, think about what you read, follow instructions to-the-letter, and you are good to go. I've (and many other "experts") have been through this scenario a number of times without failures. (p.s. the BIOS also has a "Save and Exit" setting to LOCK your "Boot Sequence" change - if you don't "save", it will revert back just like not saving a TXT file before exiting.) (AND - only boot from CD first time, not after the Re-Install boot, i.e. second, third, n-th auto-reboot) The BLUE-UNDERSCORED stuff (everywhere) are LINKS - click on them! They are NOT just 'Highlited" text.

Hint - there's a freely-available VHD image for XP-Mode under 7 on MS website - haven't tried don't have 7 but assume it's a kind of "time-bomb" shutdown type thing like WinPE but probably usable for your purposes (under a VM/VPC?). I know no more about this though. edit - yep, deep within the bowels of the package is a VHD (looking at now in VPC). edit2 - SysPrep'ed - "30 days for activation" - good to go! tossing now as just testing... edit3 - "pre-activated" SLP on Win7 VM, I am assuming (my test was in VPC2007; different VM BIOS). To prevent "transferring" to anything other than an XP-Mode setup. 'Nuff Said!

Mine (w/1.5gb, same effect for 1gb) [vcache] MinFileCache=32768 MaxFileCache=261120 ChunkSize=4096

OK - Big Edit, allen2! (also, lest you forget about SLP+WPA which would cause failure for OEM versions on different MoBo's) OP must have either Full or Upgrade since the original OS was Windows ME, so not an OEM. Also, there's a warning about using the same version/SP-level, so the OP may also have to "slip" SP3 into the CD to make a successful "Over-the top Repair Re-Install". @ HarrisonS - Please don't ask how to do this. The information is both here and all over the web. Easy way is just to use nLite and ONLY slipstream the SP3 and do nothing else (it will do the same thing as if you did everything by hand) except Create Bootable ISO which will need to be "burned" (ImgBurn will do that for you). Search these items and act accordingly - it's all there and I've indicate two basic tools that will do this for you. (@ HarrisonS - OP means "Original Poster", i.e. You)

@ Sp0iLedBrAt - Thx, but I already have the latest download. That's not the problem. The problem is discussion for another topic. Specifically, the install immediately goes to MS Update to get the definitions files (NOT included in the Install package). My problem has been to "force" it to not do that and install the latest definitions (two packages) also via "silent" so it's "up-to-date as-of" and to change a couple of "options" (not an easy task since it "force starts" itself). If I ever get it figured out, I'll probably give the procedure somewhere. No "Full AddOn" is otherwise available. Install on 1.3ghz Duron w/384mb RAM = approx. 10 minutes w/HiSpeed Cable! So much for "silent, quick, and deadly"! P.S., at least with Symantec it's possible to integrate the latest AV defs w/the install! (What's up w/that, MS? OH, because of the Validation! Gotcha! Sux for a VALID install tho!)

Um, no we're not "at an impasse". Now change the Boot Order in the BIOS, setting CD-ROM to the "top of the list" (first) and boot from the CD, following the instructions given here. No point in repeating the procedure in this post. This method will NOT "destroy" any other software installed after the initial (first time) XP install. BOOM! Done! Just "Activate by phone" when the option comes up (and it will). Actually, I believe you SHOULD be "reset" to the 30-day grace(?). BTW, I believe the "via internet" does NOT work with an OEM version of the XP - just use "by phone" in any case. You'll know if it's an OEM by opening the SETUPP.INI file inside the I386 folder of the CD (it will have OEM string inside it).

WPI also has a EULA - Kel is the Author, BTW... Why do you think you have been told to 1 - get the basic package (WPI) 2 - "roll your own" And you have been informed that ALMOST everything you need to know (including Switches for any TYPE of packaging) is all right here. The only thing lacking is (usually) the Original (Vendor) package. THAT you MIGHT get a link to (not the download, but the website where the download is). Final note - even if a given package at a given site may NOT be "warez", other packages at the SAME SITE could be, so, NO, links to those will NOT be given. Clear? Sorry, but we're all pretty stringent on that - keeps our website from being shut down; then who loses? And if I'm not mistaken, MSFN is based/hosted out of U.S. (correct me if I'm wrong on this, folks) which should tell you something about the "warez" rule. Please, do follow the advice and all will be well.

Web Install downloads have "empty" Help files that kind of say "To save space for download, we omitted the Help Text, so go get them and download/install them". They're a separate download. Chances are, the "more recent" ones are probably as close as you'll get. As loblo said, just get the ones available - close as horseshoes and bombs...

WARNING! It's never safe to run things from the Desktop or the root of any drive (e.g. C-drive). Always create a folder and work within it unless specifically told otherwise. You could hose yourself big time! (edit @ -X- below - Just a generalized fair warning...)

Thx, but got the PDF and Java. MS SecEssent is a toughie - appears to have to be a series of "stunts" in a CMD. Nearly got it.

Using Google Maps, get directions from A->B (Japan->USA). Scroll down into the mid-to-last 20-something step. "Kayak to Hawaii"... Hilarious! (had to share... hope this isn't a repeat post...)

?What is the problem? I've seen nothing out-of-the-EULA-ordinary at all! (Aside from Add-Ons?) BTW, thx! Test install "complete" (incl IE8) looks good. Just got to add Java, PDF Reader, and Security Essentials (a bear for silent, just about got it). Other "junk" (like MediaPlayer) not fooling with - waste of valuable time. Just the basics...

Google found this. And please be more descriptive in the Topic Header (Read the Rules). (edit - not much there, but...)

?Have you looked under the WPI, Unattended, Member Contributed, etc.? All the info you need to put together your own customized WPI (using Silent switches) is here (including info on the switches). We are not "software providers" and will give no Proprietary Software unless the EULA says it's allowed. Specifically, Adobe, Java, Office, and (probably) Nero... This will become "warez" if we do that and we don't (read the Rules)! Please use the "Search" button above, try putting together something yourself using the selected tool, and if you have problems, post in the associated sub-forum for assistance. MSFN - the Legally-How-To and Tools Forum!

Read the links given in reference to "how to Clear CMOS" and change the battery. The info is there so follow those instructions then report back. Again, a failed battery will RESET the System Clock (possibly causing activation issues) and MAYBE prevent access to the BIOS... AND if in the BIOS it's defaulted to "USB", the keys MAY NOT WORK until OS BOOT (IT will find, but NOT the BIOS BOOT) so TRY a USB keyboard (just for kicks).Again, no access to the BIOS is near an impossible scenario. PLEASE try everything I have suggested then SAY if you did or not. Otherwise, I can no longer help (we'll be running in circles).

To point out, you indicated a DVD-RW. Depending on the other DVD Reader's capabilities, it may or may not read any one of DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-DL. (Double-)Check the specs on the other DVD Reader (I have a couple of "problematic" drives).

<------- (this guy is a glutton for punishment) Found this. It may be a bear finding documentation on it. Provide the Serial Number on the back - I might be able to find something. AHA! Maybe this (based on someone else' serial#). Please confirm. (and it states Jabil Athlon MoBo - mirror image? looking at it upside down?) One of these (several Oxnard). F2 should work. Otherwise, ??? Maybe find the "Clear CMOS" jumper and try that? I am totally baffled. Only other thing I could imagine is that the battery (a quarter-coin-shaped item on the MoBo) is dead and the clock reset back to... 2000? Not sure if that would have boogered the install and not really sure if that would prevent entering the BIOS (shouldn't have). (nearly at a loss...) Surely your friend didn't booger the BIOS with an incorrect BIOS update. And you also indicate an "upgrade from Win ME to XP" so if Norton Goback wasn't uninstalled first then you already have a problem with the install - it conflicts with System Restore (and causes deadly thrashing!). Here is a picture of the whole MoBo. Are we there yet?

? Doesn't make sense!!! Hate to ask this but can you open the case (take the cover off - screws usually in back) CAREFULLY with a non-magnetic phillips screwdriver (unless the tower has "thumbscrews", so just unscrew them). Does the MoBo look like this? There's absolutely no reason that the F1 or F2 keys don't work UNLESS you have a USB Keyboard connected AND the BIOS does NOT have "Enable Legacy USB Support", in which case NO keys will work at all! Do ANY keys work at any time? Answer this first before cracking open the case!

True! ZIP it then upload...

Overclocking is dangerous. Can be done but could "burn out" components faster or even cause total failure. The question is really "does all my software function efficiently now" which can only be answered by yourself as probably no-one else has your exact configuration. Try asking about specific recommendations after answering your own basic (unspoken) question. (I would however recommend upgrading the video card - get away from ATI or get a better model - that based on other reviews)

There are methods (undoubtedly) in Acronis (just like in Symantec Ghost or even MS' WinRE WIM solution) to allow for a Complete Restore ("stomps" contents of HDD with the Image backed up at-the-time) from CD/DVD. This is a different subject (OEM's do this) and info is available if you really want to go that route. I personally wouldn't bother for such a pittance unless it's just for the learning experience. There's way too many methods of making Recovery CD/Partition setups. Enough on this. Try it the "basic way", ask for help if you have a particular problem. If you like the result, proceed to the "next level" of Recovery. And SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH!!! Remember that even school requires reading/studying before hands-on application!