I just finished doing a reformat of my desk top. Installing XP. But something is not right. This is the second time Ihave attempted this with the same results. It only took about 20 minutes to do, it did not ask me for my product key, the scroll is not smooth on it at all (and going to opetions does not help), it loaded with the 98 skin, no extras such as games, sample pictures and sample muisc estra, estra.

Any help with resolving this isue and to point out where I went wrong would be great.

I did it as a NTSF if that helps at all, as it was my only option.

Thanks again.

Melissa.

When you did the install, did you delete the primary partition, recreate, and format it?

is the mother board and processor up to date also or is it a little older and slower? if it is...this may be your problem.Sometimes upgrading your version of windows will require upgrading your hardware first due to incompatibility problems.Along with what he said.You needed to have done his step first to ensure a fresh install and lay down back onto your newly reformatted(wiped) hard drive. After wiping it the partition is needed to show windows where it is suppose to install on your c: drive and the parameters.

Yes I did.

Hey melissa......
do you have windows 98 on there now???????

If you would like some help with a clean install....PM me and I'll help walk you through a clean install.......

Yes it is all up to date. It has been reformated before.

you also had upgraded and jumped from 98 to XP leaving files out that are updated and configured that were on "windows ME" and 2000 or Millenium edition which came out in between. not always but sometimes if you skip a release-you might be missing important updated and required files.Most times you should also lay down a full version instead of continuing the upgrade layers approx. every two or three versions that are upgraded a new fresh full version should be laid.not doing the full lay down may cause loss of too many required and updated files for your system.If your system is as old as I think (referring to the 98 windows) this could highly be the culprit.Older systems do not know nor recognize NTSF

But was it reformatted just before the install took place? like minutes before?

Hello Melissa:

I've had similar experiences. You may want to run hardware diagnostics first (usually they can be accessed from the initial startup sequence/boot menu of the BIOS) before the OS is loaded. This is just to rule out hardware problems.

Secondly, you may want to reformat the drive with another utility, such as the free utilities GParted or System Rescue CD. (Run the Google searches, and you'll find the download sites).

Windows, even XP, is not good software. If you'll really had enough, as I did, two-and-a-half years ago, you might want to migrate to Linux. There's a bit of a learning curve, but not too much. And the interoperability and stability, as well as the speed of the OS and applications (and safety) is far, far superior. (This is why these OSs are showing up on all the new netbooks, such as the Acer Aspire One and the Dell Mini-Inspiron).

The best things are that the software is free, mostly compatible with Windows software (such as OpenOffice, Thunderbird or Firefox) and, compared to MS's junk, very, very stable.

See ubuntu.com for more, or alternatively, PC/OS. The Linux site distrowatch.com provides links and explanations, as well.

That's what I did, in 2006, and I haven't looked back.

Linux based systems are very stable but not made for your "Average" consumer or user.Usually requires a higher knowledge of computer usage and file knowledge.Be careful. Linux is primarily used for networks and professional computers.Red Hat which is an anti-virus program and firewall can also cause problems when installed to windows based computers.If you are not running NT from it first I would highly advise you do not lay down Linux and red hat overtop of this mess even if you reformatted again.Just my oppinion

MAN......where did you come up with THAT!!!!!!

try it pops....I'm right. trust me. Ask an IT

oh wait....you are
And NO....I do NOT work nor pitch for Microsoft...and do not own any of their stock....just to get that outta the way

Sweets....I would call the 1-800 number for Microsoft and also check with some computer centers and stores around you there.Also, if given for free,ask questions to some computer repair and upgrading shops around you by phone.Most will answer for free. Although a lot of places do charge.

I beg to differ with the characterization of some desktop Linux systems. If an individual actually uses, let's say, Linpus Linux (that is on the Acer Aspire One netbook), I can't imagine a simpler interface (or much of a quicker one). The notion that a number of Linux desktop OSs and their variants (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Linpus, PC/0S, gOS, and others) have a steep learning curve, well, that's ancient history. It's no longer true, IMHO.

I don't get bothered by what you might think is an insult.....First of all..it's called NTFS...which stands for "new technology file system". And old computers DO recognize it as Windows NT was on even 386 machines.

Second of all....I AM an IT professional.....

So now that we've gotten that outta the way.....you were right about having a clean install rather than upgrades, but I read the way she posted it sounded like she WAS trying a clean install.....But she hasn't been back for quite a while so maybe she figured out her problem and we're wasting our time.....

sorry about the typo pops and there is no insult...I'm not angry at all.We are trying to help her not compete.

NT was on 386 machines but only as a security measure and also for stability of the volatile files systems.Thus the reason they had to develop the new advances in NTFS.The new structure of file systems.

Thank you guys, but I am not a fan of Linux. I have tried it, but found myself going back to XP and Vista. Do not like Vista either. But hey can not win them all.

Vista really is bad.....

Stick with XP......now....do you still need help?????

NOPE still fighting here I am going back and forth. I appretiate everything that you are trying to offer here.

And yes am trying to do a clean install.