How to Repair or Reinstall ur Windows XP

1. Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order. 2. When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer: To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER. To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R. To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3. 3. Press Enter to start the Windows Setup. do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you do not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R". 4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations. 5. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair. If Repair is not one of the options, read this Warning!! 6. Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact. Blaster worm warning: Do not immediately activate over the internet when asked, enable the XP firewall [ http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673 ] before connecting to the internet. You can activate after the firewall is enabled. Control Panel - Network Connections. Right click the connection you use, Properties, and there is a check box on the Advanced [ http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfirewall1.jpg ] page. 7. Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP installation. Please note that a Repair Install from the Original install XP CD will remove SP1/SP2 and service packs will need to be reapplied. Service Pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E- 4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en An option I highly recommend is creating a Slipstreamed XP CD with SP2. Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp ______________________________________________________________________ Warning!! If the option to Repair Install is not available and you continue with the install;you will delete your Windows folder and Documents and Settings folder. All applications that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed. You should exit setup if the repair option is not available and consider other options. Try the link below if the repair option is not available. Windows XP Crashed? http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm Here's Help. A salvage mission into the depths of Windows XP, explained by a non-geek by Charlie White http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm Related links You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing, or Upgrading Windows XP (Q312369) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q312369 System Restore "Restore Points" Are Missing or Deleted (Q301224) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q301224 How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341) http://support.microsoft.com/search/preview.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315341 Warning!! If the Repair Option is not Available What should I do? Most important do not ignore the information below! If the option to Repair Install is NOT available and you continue with the install; you will delete your Windows folder, Documents and Settings folders. All Applications that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed. You should exit setup if the repair option is not available and consider other options. I have found if the Repair option is not available, XP is usually not repairable and will require a Clean install.http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html If you still have the ability to access the Windows XP installation, backup all important files not restorable from other sources before attempting any recovery console trouble shooting attempts. Possible Fix by reconfiguring boot.ini using Recovery Console. 1.Boot with XP CD or 6 floppy boot disk set. 2. Press R to load the Recovery Console. 3. Type bootcfg. 4. This should fix any boot.ini errors causing setup not to see the XP OS install. 5. Try the repair install. One more suggestion from MVP Alex Nichol "Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option, and if the CD letter is say K: give these commands COPY K:\i386\ntldr C:\ COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:\ (two other files needed - just in case) 1. Type: ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini DEL C:\boot.ini 2. Type: BootCfg /Rebuild which will get rid of any damaged boot.ini, search the disk for systems and make a new one. This might even result in a damaged windows reappearing; but gives another chance of getting at the repair"