Need help reinstalling windows, have cd

[avg_pc_joe]

I’ve had a virus for a few weeks and it’s come to the point where I have to reinstall, my pc (windows xp) won’t start in any mode. I need help reinstalling windows. Luckily I backed up all my data, so I don’t mind reinstalling.

Here’s some info:
Before the crash, windows hadn’t updated for more than a month, and I know for a fact it was supposed to.
Windows finally did update, to my surprise. The files installed on shutdown. After that, I haven’t been able to start windows in any mode.
I have the windows cd that came with my computer, so I changed the boot sequence in the blue setup screen (bios?) to boot from the cd drive so I can reinstall.
The system says there are 4 partitions in my hard drive.
Windows xp was running in partition 2.
It says that the size of partition 2 is 73 GB. The original size of the hard drive is 80 GB.
It also says the space remaining in partition 2 is 48 GB, which I think is what I had available before the crash, so I guess the data is still there.
The other 3 partitions are small (2 GB or less)

When I try to reinstall, it’s asking me which of the 4 partitions to install to. I chose partition 2 and got a message that installing to that partition might cause conflicts with the “other operating system installed in that partition”, meaning the windows xp that crashed. I thought I was reinstalling, but apparently the system thinks I’m trying to install a second operating system.

I get an option to delete partition 2.
I also get an option to try to recover the system using the recovery console, which I know nothing about.

So after all of that, I chose to install from the cd to partition 2. The process started, went on for a few minutes, then a message appeared saying the computer had to restart, and it did. As soon as it restarted, the message “press any key to boot from cd” came up, so I pressed a key. But the installation didn’t pick up where it had left off, instead it started over again. So it restarted again after a few minutes, just like the first time, and this time I didn’t press any keys when the message appeared. The install process either continued or started over again (I don’t remember which), but this time it went almost all the way through. Just when I though it was almost over, the processed stopped and I got no more messages.

What do you think I should do?
Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks.

[Mister2]

Hi avg_pc_joe, and Welcome to SpywareHammer ;D

Go to Start, Run, type compmgmt.msc and click OK.  In the console tree, click Disk Management. Can you see the smaller partitions?  If so, what are they called?

It is often the case when a computer is shipped with a recovery disk (such as HP, Dell, Acer and so on) that the disk creates a large partition for Windows and a smaller partition containing system data.  The presence of three smaller partitions has got me wondering what they are.

Having said that, I think we can get your system sorted out but I would like to see if there are any clues about these partitions before we start.

[avg_pc_joe]

Hey Mister2,

Thanks for answering. I can’t access my desktop at all, in any mode. No mouse control, no start button, nothing.  All I can do is hit F2 a few seconds after I turn on the computer and get to that blue setup screen, or I can try to reinstall again and write down all the info I find on partitions. I’ll get you what I can. I’m using a Dell, by the way.

[avg_pc_joe]

Here's what I see on the screen as I try to reinstall:

76294 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 o atapi [MBR]

-: Partition1 [FAT]   47 MB (39 MB free)
c: Partition2 [NTFS]  73422 MB (49157 MB free)
E: Partition3 [FAT32] 2816 MB (414 MB free)
    unpartitioned space     8 MB       

Hope that helps.

[Mister2]

Sorry, I should have realised you couldn't get to your disk management screen.  I have given myself a good beating for that one.

Check out this page for instructions on how to restore your system from the hidden Restore partition (which is one of those smaller partitions you have found on your hard drive).

You may find your CD does not contain the drivers for your for your system.  In that case go to the Dell Driver Support site, enter the Service Tag number (on a sticker on the computer case) and you will be able to download all the relevant drivers for your system.

[avg_pc_joe]

Excellent, let's give this a shot, I'll keep you posted.

[avg_pc_joe]

Hi there Mister2,

Success! Those instructions worked like a charm, my system is restored to the factory settings. I already started updating windows. Thanks a lot.
I do have a couple of questions about security, though. I’ll see you soon in the security forums.

[Mister2]

Hi again,

That's great to hear! ;D

Sometimes it seems to take longer updating Windows than installing it in the first place, but it's an important stage.
Please fire away with any questions you have - that's what we're here for ;)