DanRSturbo

Firstly, locate your Microsoft Windows XP cd-rom.

Switch the pc on and load it into your cd/dvd drive. Depending on the way the system is setup, it should automatically boot of the cd, if it starts to load windows, press the reset button and then press either the delete key, or the F2 key until the system setup screen appears.

This is an example



You should navigate to the boot menu (if there is one) or similar



The change the first boot device to CD-Rom



Once done, navigate to the exit option and save changes, the computer will restart and should then boot off the windows xp cd.

The blue screen will load up collecting information about your machine and the "press f6 if you want to install a third party raid or scsi device" message appears at the bottom.



Then it will ask if you want to setup windows XP or repair, if you choose repair here it will load into a dos like prompt recovery console. Don't do this unless you're better then me So press enter to setup XP.



Now, depending on the installation, this screen should come up with the option to REPAIR which will overwrite the system files off the cd.



If this option isn't there, then there's no choice really but to reinstall windows XP

Adrian

Thanks for this Dan, will no doubt help a lot of people.

AndyBlackFRST

Dan,

Will that not take you to the Dos console where she will possibly need to run the 'FixMBR' or similar option..

sorry not got XP disk here to look at

Adrian

Thats an option before the final screen shown above.

DanRSturbo

No m8, it will start copying the system files off the cd and overwrite them in the windows\system32 directory (i think) and then once done, reboot, then (fingers crossed) load windows fine.

If you choose the first repair option, that is when it goes to the dos console.

HTH

AndyBlackFRST

Dan,

Whenever I boot from XP Pro I get the console..

"Stolen off another site"

To start the computer and use the Recovery Console

From the Setup CD-ROM

Insert the Setup compact disc (CD) and restart the computer. If prompted, select any options required to boot from the CD.
When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts; choose the repair or recover option by pressing R. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console. When prompted, type the Administrator password. At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help commandname for help on a specific command.

To exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit.

If you have already installed the Recovery Console

During Startup, select Recovery Console from the startup options menu. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation that you need to access from the Recovery Console. When prompted, type the Administrator password. At the system prompt, type Recovery Console commands; type help for a list of commands, or help commandname for help on a specific command. To exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit.

Important Note: Because the Recovery Console is quite powerful, it is recommended for use only by advanced users or administrators.

AndyBlackFRST

As said on the other page.. I use Console all the time, but there is the repair feature that you have said about..

Sorry

kevnoize

I cant format for some reason? it wont let me format when you follow the right precidure, ive done this loads of times before. but for some reason i cant format this time when i really could do with doing as pc is running like a lada and i want a fresh start.

i have 2 hdd's 1 has windows xp on the other has all my music on so thats just a storage drive.

it says cannot delete files coz setup files on the hdd are needed for the install??

HELP!

sophiagregs

Wonderful! This will prevent us from re-installing the OS over and over again everytime it has serious unfix able problems.

rogerclinton

Wow, Nice information given to you. Everyone can share their thoughts on this topic. I've got all of your articles from a lot of information. I thank you for your valuable information. Your information is really increase my knowledge. I hope you send more information like this.

lauratristin

These all steps are very good guide of Window XP. Now I get the idea. why I was not successful for repairing window XP. Really it is very good and informative information you shred here, It is best guide for me.

verdascofernan

Thank you very much for your valuable and meaningful post, I hope many peoples might be benefited from this post and would be able to install a new OS on their PC by self