Grrrr - Here we go again........

[fossyant]

Yup,

Blooming niece/nephew have fubared their PC yet again, and it's been brought round for me to fix. (They are 15 and 17)

They've totally buggered the registry so it crashes on boot (not even safe mode works). To make matters worse, it's an OEM install with no disc, and even following Microsofts 'fix' using recovery console, there are administrator 'settings' which prevent the procedure from working.

So, I've downloaded a 'bootleg' version of XP Home to 'hopefully' repair their legit knackered one. Grrr.

Tempted to say it's bolloxed, get a new one. Last time it took hours to clear out all the downloaded crap, spy ware and all sorts. I'll give it a quick try, if it doesn't work hand it back. I am not spending all weekend on it, got a garden to perpare, and a bike to ride.

 

[trustysteed]

partition the disk so you have a 10GB d: partition. get the thing rebuilt then ghost the c: image to the d: drive. then you can always just ghost it back when they cock it up.

 

[John the Monkey]

Format C:

Reinstall. Losing their stuff might focus their minds a bit.

Also, consider installing Microsoft's "Windows Defender" tool - it's free, and does a decent job of detecting nasties.

 

[johnsie]

Not this is it?

http://www.computerweekly.com/Artic...updates-cripple-computers-running-Windows.htm

 

[alecstilleyedye]

you did set them up as users and kept them out of the admin account i hope…

 

[fossyant]

Not this is it?

http://www.computerweekly.com/Artic...updates-cripple-computers-running-Windows.htm

Busted way before that.

Alec - they have standard full access - you can visualise the calls though if I restricted them....... "can't install this, that"..... the PC was a hand me down from the Father In Law.

This is the last time. It may come down to a full install yet. Other option is new HD, and just get the data off the old one (homework etc etc.) They are all computer 'illiterate' - can use facebook and stuff and internet, but actually knowing why you shouldn't do this / that etc. oh no.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

let them learn themselves! quickest way to fix it....

 

[rh100]

Busted way before that.

Alec - they have standard full access - you can visualise the calls though if I restricted them....... "can't install this, that"..... the PC was a hand me down from the Father In Law.

This is the last time. It may come down to a full install yet. Other option is new HD, and just get the data off the old one (homework etc etc.) They are all computer 'illiterate' - can use facebook and stuff and internet, but actually knowing why you shouldn't do this / that etc. oh no.

That's the problem then - the facebook apps are a PITA. Could be anything else though - as you know restricting the user permissions isn't practical on XP for a home user.

I think the suggestion of making a smaller partition (I'd go for 20gb to allow for any extra apps later on) and keeping an image would make life easier. But if you pull the drive and connect to your pc for copying data or anything - remember to scan it first with your AV - if it's like some PC's I've had to fix from the family then it'll be riddled with virus's.

Not a fan of Windows Defender myself, I've seen it allow some crap through. Avira is a good free AV but has no firewall, currently using zone alarm but its a bit OTT, looking for an alternative. Malwarebytes is my favourite scanner but it doesn't act as a firewall.

 

[earth]

If they have a single drive partition it into system and data partitions. they put things they want to keep into data and then you can format the system one when necessary or take the ghost image route as someone suggested. Alternatively, two drives.

I don't Windows isn't really up to the job. But then just look back to Windows 1,2, 3. Didn't it leak memory and require a reboot twice a day? Oh no, it only ran for ten minutes between each GPF.

 

[fossyant]

Right,

Up and running. Main issue - Downloaded a XP Home CD (XP Pro myself) installed but the product key that is on the side of the PC is no longer valid..bugger - couldn't get through to MS, so in the end ran a patch to remove activation. It had a genuine XP Home on, but no disc etc.

Ah well, only one account now, and their data has been saved. Stripped all the 'dodgy' programmes out.

That will do for now. Can fling it back at them.

 

[Garz]

Yeah it's a pain getting them situations resolved but well done fossy!

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Now report them for having san illegal copy of XP and they'll get he computer taken from them as well as being hung, drawn and quartered ... no more fixing in future. Simples!

 

[fossyant]

Now report them for having san illegal copy of XP and they'll get he computer taken from them as well as being hung, drawn and quartered ... no more fixing in future. Simples!

Ha....my copy isn't exactly kosher

Can't think how the hell they wreck it so much, SIL knows nothing about computers, but the kids aren't young any more - but neither are IT literate, nephew does Xbox 360 etc and niece has a netbook..... I'm knackered when she ballcocks that one up though............