Windows XP Pro system crash

[Raymond W]

My brothers comp crashed this evening. I am running the
same version of windows, most current updates and all
same as he. I am wondering if I can use my Automated
recovery disk on his computer.

I was also wondering if nothing else, if I could
reinstall the OS on top of itself, without losing the
precious data that is unfortunately marooned on his hard
drive. I understand some programs may not work propery
and such, but I need the majority of the stuff - over
several partitions, saved if possible.

The problem is this - the computer restarted and wouldn't
go anywhere. He says he tried to go into safe mode, at
which point it told him that the c:\windows\system32
\ntoskrnl.exe file was missing - right off the bat. I
checked and it is still there, proper file size and all.

When I went into safe mode, it made it farther than he
did. I got the list of all the drivers and files that
were being loaded, but then it hung up without clearing
the file list and going into safe mode.....Just sat there.

Any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Corey]

yes, you can reinstall the OS and use the repair option.
it will install on top of itself and you will lose
nothing.

 

[Raymond W.]

Ok, still have a problem. When I go to install Windows,
it tells me a version of windows exists on the current
partition. I tell it thats ok.

It says the C:Windows folder will be deleted and I will
lose all aplications and data, and that the My Documents
folder may be deleted as well. I am hoping to save
everything I have installed. How do I reinstall windows
without losing all of this information (text files and
excel files strewn ALL OVER the windows folder).

Raymond

 

[Shenan T. Stanley]

Ok, still have a problem. When I go to install Windows,
it tells me a version of windows exists on the current
partition. I tell it thats ok.

It says the C:Windows folder will be deleted and I will
lose all aplications and data, and that the My Documents
folder may be deleted as well. I am hoping to save
everything I have installed. How do I reinstall windows
without losing all of this information (text files and
excel files strewn ALL OVER the windows folder).

Wrong type of install:

http://tinyurl.com/37ys

Go there, do that. =)