G1 boot up problem.

Help! I *just* received my G1 from XoticPC a few hour ago, and it doesn't boot. I have one of the new G1's with Litescribe and Vista installed. I eagerly (and carefully) removed the packaging, plugged it in, and turned it on. A few seconds into the boot process, I got an error message:

"Windows could not parse or process unattend answer file [C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml]. The answer file is invalid.]

I have some vauge knowledge about what an answer file is (default options for bulk installs or something?), but that doesn't really help, because I then crash back to the beginning of startup, where I get the splash screen, and it starts the cycle again. Of course, if this was WinXP, I would be used to such shennanigans and would have some ideas about how to approach trying to fix it. I have zero familiarity with Vista. And of course, XoticPC's help desk is open M-F 'till 5:30 CST. When did my UPS guy show up? Friday at 6:20 PST. Greeeaaaaaat. I'm not waiting the whole weekend to play with my new toy.

Can anyone help me? Has anyone else run in to this? Is it on all the new G1's? I'm about to start putting disks in the computer (How I long for the days when I actually *got* an OS CD that was easily definable and clean of branding baggage.) Any help would be appreciated. I realize this may be the wrong thread for such discussion, but I'm not sure if this problem is endemic to the new G1's, in which case it may qualify. If not, could someone point me in the direction of a better place to post? Anyway, thanks for whatever help you can give.

 

Try booting with the Recovery CDs and doing a full install, it's a longshot but Vista could of been corrupted(whoopdeedooooo) while being installed or something.

 

Was looking at Microsoft and looks like those type of errors are as you stated regarding a bulk install.. Or unattended finishing and registration of Windows.

I agree with coriolis to reinstall the system.

The discs wont have been the exact image used on the HDD anyway so may fix er up.

Would be interesting if all of a sudden people start getting same error on new system as it would show something went wrong with the image.

 

I just tried rebooting with both of the "Support Disks" I received. (No, not at the same time...) I'm not really sure which is which. I thought I knew, but neither was booted from so... <shrug> Is there a way to interrupt start up? I'm used to hitting Del to get into Bios and twiddle, but that doesn't seem to work here. Is there a different key combo for G1's bios? Or is there someway to interrupt the WinVista startup?

Ahh.. got it. Had to hit Esc I think, and had to be quick. Stupid fast computer. I'm used to having like 60 seconds

 

Yea, you'll need to go to Bios and set it that you can boot from the Optical Drive. The discs should be labeled Disc 1 and Disc 2.

 

Actually, they are labeled "Support CD" and "Recovery CD". I just booted from the recovery CD, and am given the option of reinstalling to first partition, entire HD, or entire HD with 2 partitions, and I have no idea of what the details of these options are. I'm assuming the first one wipes out the primary partition and leaves the second intact. I think the second might remove the partition, and the third might leave the partition, but reformat both. I'm used to having a wee bit more control with partition management. And if I can't have control, at least I'd like details. Oh well, cross my fingers and guess.

 

Let us know how it goes..

I really want to know what you think of that computer out of the box..
except of course the Fubar on the HDD..

 

Well, I poked around Asus's site, and discovered how to use their Super Secret Extra Cool Hidden Partition Recovery Tool (SSECHPRT for short). I decided to try it just to see what the G1 is supposed to look like Out of the Box (OotB for short) and went for reinstalling to one big partition, because I figure I'll tinker with it later when I nuke everything *again*. So it's off like a prom dress and I'm going to play on my PS/2 while trying to stay awake (didn't sleep much last night as you might be able to tell from the message thus far). Will update with results. Off to dance a jig, see you in a few.

*Update*

No joy for the SSECHRPT. Now on to the Recovery Disk (RD for short). Here's to hoping.

 

Good luck

The recovery disk should definitely take care of it.

 

Alright. I'm back up and running and playing with Vista. I'm looking at my partitions, and there is a 4.88 GB one set as primary that appears empty. I'm assuming it is the recovery partition. So now I have new questions. 1. Is it still FUBAR or did the reinstall "fix" it. 2. In either case, can I nuke it with abandon, or is there a reason to keep it (other than being able to recover without disks, or whatever.)? 3. Since it is there anyway, is 4.8 Gb enough to run enough Linux to play around a bit? It has been a long time since I looked at the various Linux distro's. Anyway. Thanks for the help and support. I have a lot of installs to do, but first I need to decide how I want it set up. I hate choices.

 

4.8 Gb sure is enough for Linux. If later you need more space, you can always mount a new partition, provided that you have the space available on your hard disk of course. I would try my luck with Ubuntu. Do let us know how Linux runs on this system. I am also looking for a laptop and the G1 is on my short list.

 

Geburah, I am sorry to hear your HDD booted as it did out of the box. It appears the OS wasn't installed properly from ASUS before being sealed in the box. We have weekend support through email or through our support ticket system available for you. Please let me know what I can do to help.

(BTW I replied to your support ticket earlier this AM)

I hope all is well now. We are here to help to get everything working as it should this weekend.

 

My G1 came with Vista pre-loaded and it booted up without issue. The only problem I've been having is with my wireless connection, and I'm not sure if it's the notebook or my router. I got mine from NewEgg.

 

I got mine from newegg too... vista boots fine.. and the internet works fine...

 

Dealing with Linux is a ways off. I need to deal with Windows first. Especially with Asus items loaded that I am unclear on the function of. I've played with it some, and everything seems peachy now. I wonder if my computer was a fluke, or if there are others like it floating around. Maybe Xotic got a "bad" shipment. In any event, thanks for all your support in the matter. It would have been a bit more frustrating without somewhere to whine a bit. While I wish the circumstances where a bit different, on the plus side I now have the confidence to nuke my system with abandon. I may try a few more times to see if I can prevent some of the extraneous stuff from loading. Is there a resource anywhere of what the Asus junk is, and how useful it is? I can find precious little documentation for some of it. Like MultiFrame. There's an icon on my desktop for it, and I'm unclear of its "benefits". I'll search these forums, and see what I can find I guess. Anyway, I'll try and update with final impressions once I get things sorted.

 

Here is a thread on the different programs. If i can help with anything, dont hesitate to ask.

 

I got this problem (bad unattend.xml) after restoring from the DVD after failing to clone my non-sata XP system onto the G1's drive using an external sata case. I fixed it by just deleting the unattend.xml file using my other computer and the external case. I think it's just a file filled with answers to questions that I can answer myself.