How to clean up a failing computer?

July 29, 2009

A family member has a failing computer running XP Pro whereas I have a spare drive on my own computer with an unused XP Pro installation already set up. My idea is to back up all his files/folders etc using the Back Up facility within Windows Live OneCare and then set him up on my spare drive. All XP installations in this house have passed Microsoft validation however, he does not have an installation CD but I can get his Product Key. I have two questions. What is the best method of preparing a computer for a fresh installation of XP Pro (is formatting the HDD too extreme)? Secondly, if I use my installation CD to re-install XP Pro on his computer but when the time comes to enter a Product Key, I enter HIS Product Key rather than my own, can that work? Are Product Keys only specific to the program/application being installed or are they specific to the individual installation CD being used?

Is it posible to run a diagnostic on yoru car? ?

June 29, 2009

I was jsut wounderin gif you could some how run a diagnostics on you own car with you OWN computer???. is ther a software you can download?… is it posible with an extra part?…

BSOD: Copied over /repair/software and now can’t login!?

June 6, 2009

BSOD: Copied over /repair/software and now can't login!?
My work computer recently stopped working. When I boot it up, it gives me blue screen with hive message can't find system32\config\system. I went into recovery console but it wanted admin password which I don't have and corporate won't give me. I don't want to send it in and wait to get it back, so I hooked up hdd to a desktop and copied c:\windows\repair\software to c:\windows\system32\config\sof… Put hdd back into laptop and booted up and it boots into windows! However, it doesn't recognize my username/password anymore. What can I do to fix this?
Thanks, but this is not a desktop it is a laptop. It is not the BIOS PW.
I have permission to fix my own computer. I am in IT at my local branch, but happen to work for a huge corporation who doesn't want to give me the ADMIN PW for obvious reasons.

I am trying to repair it on my own as mailing it in will take several weeks for a repair. Again, I do have permission to repair it on my own.

Thanks for the responses.