Computer idiot (me)

[emtmark]

I pmed you
I'm cross eyed mad
Mags
Might be a felon along with everybody else
I can fix people
Can't fix a computer
F!

[emtmark]

Update, rvicta tried mightily but ultimately unsuccessfully to guide me in downloading and burning the desired iso file.

Home computer a hp running vista will download and store 707mb ISP file, using a program to "unpack" the iso and burn to disk. I can see that the disk has been burned physically, however, when I put it in the brick it says its an invalid disk. So I go to put it in the desktop from whence it came and it is no longer recognized as a disk and ejected, or, it is labeled empty and I'm asked if I would like to format it. The second happened every time I used a DVD rw. Disks tried are Sony dvdrw, dvdr, cdr, and hp brand light scribe dvdrw.

The brick has a DVD/cdw and the CMOS?bios? Thingys have been set to look to the DVD/cd for boot disk.

We tried to set up a remote link but even norton and ms security firewalls n antivirus and anti intrusion turned off he couldn't get in my machine.
I know it's possible cause an it person from my job was monkeying about because I couldn't watch training videos about a month ago.

Still in a dammitFitall mood cause once again the "simple" things escape my abilities when it comes to computers. Dam magic box is possessed.

[bigmike82]

First off watch out for so-called forum know-it-alls chiming in for a higher post count!

lol wut?

If your machine says invalid disk, you probably didn't burn the ISO right. I've used an app called isorecorder to burn all my CDs/DVDs in the past, and it's never let me down.

You're burning it on a CDR right, not a DVD?

After you burn the disk, take it out and insert it into the computer you burned it from. Make sure you can read the disk and that you see actual files on it (not just the iso file). If you can see that, it should work just fine.

[emtmark]

Yeah that's the problem, tried two different iso reader/converters and despite burning info (new discs I could see physical change in the disc post burn) to the disk it would not recognize.
One was iso magic and the other I can't remember.

It was unbuntu download as .iso
Save to desktop
Download iso burn/convert program and install
Select unbutu as file to be read/convert/burn
Check box all files, and finalize disk
Hit go
Things whir, crap happens, progress bars......progress?! And disc pops out
I look at it, I can see that data has been placed there
Walk to brick, invalid disk msg
Walk back to desktop and slap it in or skip above and slap it right back in
Insert disc msg or format and name disk msg
Hands go in the air, cursing for 5 min then beat head on wall as I try again

Did it with Sony DVD-r, cd-r, Sony dvdrw, hp lightscribe dvdrw media their all I have at hand.

Argh

[bigmike82]

When you put the disk back into your computer afterwards, do you see anything on it or is it unreadable?

Try isorecorder and burn just the iso. Don't extract or do anything else with it...just browse to it in isorecorder and burn.

Does that work better?

[bigmike82]

Also...how big is the ISO you downloaded? It should be just over 794 MB.

Which version did you download? 12? Try the 13 one....see if that helps.

[NoSpam]

In case you didn't already know....you should watch out for so-called forum know-it-alls chiming in for a higher post count!

lol just kidding...I kid..I kid!

Here's what you need to know:
- Regarding Windows XP: Generally yes, you can use your license key to install it from another copy of the same exact version. OEM vs Upgrade vs Full retail. You said your PC came preloaded from HP, so that means you have the OEM version. Regardless, forget about WinXP now. Don't pursue trying to reload it. Microsoft is ending all further support of WinXP in April 2014. That means no further updates, no fixes, no security patches, etc. It is already obsolete.
- Ignore anyone trying to convert you to a new OS. If you're not already into computer geek stuff, it's way more work than you want to put into an old PC for the garage. You already said you hate computers.
- It sounds like you bought Windows 7 a couple years ago. You haven't confirmed which OS it was, but Win7 is what was on the shelves at that time. Windows 8 wasn't released until last year.
- You have a 32bit cpu in your old PC. If you bought the full retail version of Win7, then good news: it comes with 2 install discs. One disc is for 32bit, the other for 64bit (the 2 discs are not part 1 and part 2). You just need to use the other disc! Your license key works with either version.

Now go back to what you were trying to do in the first place. You're way off track.

[stilly]

I wish I had a lower post count.

Hey you sure that you are burning on the correct disks?

IE putting it on a CD or DVD and having the other reader that reads it as a CD or DVD as well? Dvds don't work in cd drives...

BTW, MC edition of XP SUCKS. I had issues with it. Plain old XP PRO will work nicely. I have several licenses if you wanted to rationalize the TOS violation away. The licenses are pulled off of other laptops that I came across.

Personally though, I would say to stick with the NIX based system. Those are WAY cooler.

As for burning disks, I use a program called IMGBURN locaed HERE: http://www.imgburn.com/

It is a very good and simple to use program for also burning disks.

Pear Linux OS FTW. I have been using it on my work PC for over 2 months now, and it has been more stable than Windows for VMs, and as a daily OS (even Betas worked better than Windows). ...

You are really digging on that OS still aint ya? I have not been back to their site, I hope they got a 32 bit v8 out by now. I need something cool to replace my Fuduntu that I loaded up on a laptop. (now THAT was a cool download...)

ALrighty, I got a test and interview tomorrow. I am outtie.

[emtmark]

When you put the disk back into your computer afterwards, do you see anything on it or is it unreadable?
Unreadable or prompt to format

Try isorecorder and burn just the iso. Don't extract or do anything else with it...just browse to it in isorecorder and burn.
Done and no difference in results

Does that work better?

Argh

[emtmark]

Also...how big is the ISO you downloaded? It should be just over 794 MB.
707 mb
Which version did you download?
32 bit long term support
12? Try the 13 one....see if that helps.

Did not see versions listed on download site it was either long term supported or latest version which may be buggy

[emtmark]

In case you didn't already know....you should watch out for so-called forum know-it-alls chiming in for a higher post count!

lol just kidding...I kid..I kid!

Here's what you need to know:
- Regarding Windows XP: Generally yes, you can use your license key to install it from another copy of the same exact version. OEM vs Upgrade vs Full retail. You said your PC came preloaded from HP, so that means you have the OEM version. Regardless, forget about WinXP now. Don't pursue trying to reload it. Microsoft is ending all further support of WinXP in April 2014. That means no further updates, no fixes, no security patches, etc. It is already obsolete.
Ok
- Ignore anyone trying to convert you to a new OS. If you're not already into computer geek stuff, it's way more work than you want to put into an old PC for the garage. You already said you hate computers.
Ok? Argh
- It sounds like you bought Windows 7 a couple years ago. You haven't confirmed which OS it was, but Win7 is what was on the shelves at that time. Windows 8 wasn't released until last year.
Ill go root around and find out
- You have a 32bit cpu in your old PC. If you bought the full retail version of Win7, then good news: it comes with 2 install discs. One disc is for 32bit, the other for 64bit (the 2 discs are not part 1 and part 2). You just need to use the other disc! Your license key works with either version.
Ill find out I think it only had one disc

Now go back to what you were trying to do in the first place. You're way off track.

Argh argh hair pull

[emtmark]

I wish I had a lower post count.

Hey you sure that you are burning on the correct disks?
Not really

IE putting it on a CD or DVD and having the other reader that reads it as a CD or DVD as well? Dvds don't work in cd drives...
both comps have cd/DVD read writers

BTW, MC edition of XP SUCKS. I had issues with it. Plain old XP PRO will work nicely. I have several licenses if you wanted to rationalize the TOS violation away. The licenses are pulled off of other laptops that I came across.
I'm beyond caring ill pirate to end my pain

Personally though, I would say to stick with the NIX based system. Those are WAY cooler.
Ok vs the win 7 from above guy I just want workie lol

As for burning disks, I use a program called IMGBURN locaed HERE: http://www.imgburn.com/
Think I tied that one yesterday
Fml

It is a very good and simple to use program for also burning disks.




You are really digging on that OS still aint ya? I have not been back to their site, I hope they got a 32 bit v8 out by now. I need something cool to replace my Fuduntu that I loaded up on a laptop. (now THAT was a cool download...)

ALrighty, I got a test and interview tomorrow. I am outtie.

Thanks for the time

[emtmark]

Gonna look for my old disks should be windows 7

And try again to burn the unbuntu in a readable way to a disk of some sort

Pull big hammer out of tool box n warm up shoulder

In any regard it looks like the xp media center sucks and I shouldn't go back to it

[emtmark]

I bought win xp pro 64 edition two disks
Student media edition

One says trying to load a 64 but system on a 32 bit comp and the other day it can't load because its missing a dntu file?

[the86d]

(Get 7 ISO no activation via TPB. )

Media Center is crappier than XP Pro, let alone the student edition... but if that is all you have....
You have to install the Pro verison and let that finish, and then once in Windows install the second disk. It's goofy, but it usually works. It has bombed on my friends a few times, but eventually it takes (2-3 tries) and I really don't know why, but this has been the case on both Media center computer installs I have done...

OR, just read between the 1st ()'s ^ while not connected to das Innernut while installing, OR Install Pear Linux.