[gazcelt]

Hello and Hi

I have installed window xp on my pc, everything run fine until I shutdown and restarted just to check.

I got a message saying "the size of the \windows\system32\config\software.log entry is not valid". then the computer moved on and gave a mess age on screen that windows would not run because it didnt want to damage the PC.

Then it restated itself and this kept on happening.


Any ideas anyone?

Gary
:?:

[Hybr!d]

I'd do a fresh install again, with a full NTFS format, not the quick format.

If it does it again you probably have some faulty hardware

[gazcelt]

How do I do that (novice) when I cannot get it to load anything?

Sorry for the stupid question

[Hybr!d]

Put the XP CD in your CD-Rom drive and restart the PC, the PC should try and boot from the CD. If it doesn't you need to hit one of the F keys after restarting to select the CD ROM. Then follow the on screen instructions.
Let me know if you get stuck.

Dave.

[gazcelt]

Dave

I had tried that and get to the same position as before, same messages and restarts.

You mentioned hardware, I havent added anything but am running 128mb Ram, could this be the problem?

Gaz

[Hybr!d]

256mb I believe is the minimum for XP, even with that the PC will be slow after adding anti-virus and a few programs.

Even if it isn't the problem I would definitely upgrade to say 1GB RAM is pretty cheap these days and it may sort this problem but more importantly the PC will be faster and more enjoyable to use.

Definitely upgrade, but make sure you get the right RAM for you system, if you don't know what to buy come back to me.

Dave.

[gazcelt]

Cheers

I'll try that and see if it cures the problem.

Ive checked the BIOS and need PC100 SDRam.

[Hybr!d]

PC100 SD-Ram is very old spec. There are 3 newer designs out currently.

Your CPU must be very old and probably too slow for XP also.

You may want to consider upgrading you motherboard and CPU and ram together now than spend money on old ram only to chuck it away when you need to upgrade again in the future.

Or even getting a new system online, current ones with xp installed can be had for £250/£300 delivered. Including DVD burner and other nice modern features.

Something to think about.

Dave.

[gazcelt]

That is something to think about.

Any clues as to where to look?

[Hybr!d]

www.dabs.com

www.ebuyer.com

I use both daily.

Very cheap and both have been reliable, ebuyer more so.