SillyDog701

[numbskull]

Because of a conflict with I-Tunes I uninstalled my CD-Rom drive and DVD drive in device manager with a view to re-booting and re-installing on automatic detection.
Now I cannot re-install. The device drivers are okay but the PC cannot find the hardware device (yes-it's integral!).
I also get a message on the microsoft streaming proxy to say it cannot be re-installed because the configuration in the registry is incomplete or damaged (Code 19).

Being a complete numbskull, I am just about to buy a portable hard drive, back up everything I need and reset the PC to factory settings. Can anyone help b4 I try this please!!

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[Dr Lobster*]

do a system restore back to a time when your dvd/cd-rom drives worked.

if that doesn't work, try doing a repair install from the xp cd.

if that doesn't work, then i'd check that your dvd/cd-rom drives actually work. check them in another computer if you can, or see if they are detected by the bios post.

if those things don't work, then a reinstall of windows might be the easiest way.

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[PaulD]

In the Microsoft Knowledge Base Advanced Search, search for [ code 19 ] within Product [ Windows XP ]. I got 27 hits.
The first two are
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060/en-us (your problem, I think), and http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310123/en-us (explanation of error codes).

The first is reflected also here in the SillyDog Windows Forum, in [sdt=9200]this[/sdt] thread; see in particular the reply by [sdp=59917]Erdiko[/sdp].

If this doesn't work then will be time for more drastic recourse.

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[numbskull]

Many thanks for your trouble - however I failed and decided to take a hammer to the PC and buy a new one. I downloaded evrything I needed onto a Maxtor one touch portable hard drive but when I connect it to vista, no icon appears in the computer panel and I cannot access it. Any suggestions would be most welcome!

Thanks again
Pete

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[PaulD]

"however I failed"
- In what way?
- Did you do the Registry changes recommended?
- What else did you try to do that failed?

"and decided to take a hammer to the PC"
- Metaphorically only, I hope. Gentle guidance is to be preferred over hard knocks.

"I cannot access [the Maxtor]."
- What is the connection, USB or IEEE 1394 (Firewire)?

Do you know how to do searches on the Microsoft KnowledgeBase?

These items came up when I tried to look up your symptoms:
Vista: Firewire hard disk not detected and a Registry change to enable

Windows Easy Transfer - migrating files and settings
Easy Transfer Companion - programs' transfer

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[numbskull]

The system was becoming increasingly unstable - hence my back up before trying to restore factory settings. It refused to accept the rest command at first giving me an error message-it then gave me a complete run around with bloank screens and nowhere to go. I obviously could not re-boot from a disc because the CD-ROM drive was disabled. After a few people with far more knowledge than me had a go - it was decided it had died. The reference to a hammer was metaphorical but to be honest - it's given me problems from the day I bought it so I am pleased to consign it to the grave.

As for the links - many thanks for this. It is new territory for me but I am really gratefull that you have given me a reference point. Thanks - I will now see what I can do

Regards
Peter

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