Repairing Windows XP

[Guest]

Hello all,
I will try to summarize my problem:
- I think I need to repair Windows XP Home (I was able to access my files
using Knoppix, so it's probably not a hard drive problem)
- When I run the Recovery Console, it asks for the Admin password. None of
the correct passwords are accepted as valid. This is a recognized problem as
addressed here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308402
- The solution in the article above is to create Setup disks for floppy boot
installation. However, My laptop does not have a floppy drive.
- If at all possible, I would prefer to not have to reinstall all my
pre-existing programs.

I searched around these message boards, and you folks seem very helpful. I
found this post from a little while ago
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/...-us-ms-winxp&lang=en&cr=US&sloc=en-us&m=1&p=1
The very last message in that post mentions, "Note: This preserves the Users
Files and Folders."

Here are my specific questions:
- I was wondering if this kind of repair mentioned in the above noted post
would preserve programs as well. If not, is there a way to preserve programs?
- I don't understand step 12 of the message I quoted above. (12. - Then
Copies files to partition.) Can someone please clarify what files I am
supposed to copy to what partition?

Thank you all in advance.
I really appreciate everyone sharing their knowledge.
Cheers!
-TB

 

[Jerry]

Go here
http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winxppro/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm
for instructions with pictures on doing a repair install.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

The best website for repair installs..
http://http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Larry Mauriello]

Mike,
I read these NG's and tage certian articles in case I need them. I tried to
look at the site you posted and got
Page can not be displayed. I was however able to view the link Jerry posted.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Strange because at the time, it was working.. try this one..
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/

 

[Guest]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your responses.
It turns out my friend was able to help me obtain a USB floppy drive to
create the Setup disks. After logging into the Recovery Console, he did a
checkdisk
(C:\WINDOWS>chkdsk /R C. The checkdisk fixed the windows error, so my
computer works fine now, just as it did before with documents and programs
intact.
I hope this helps someone in the future.
Cheers!
-ThaiBinh