XP Repair Installation

[Sharon F]

Related to this same area of operation, Sharon, I still have
a few questions for which you might have answers. The 'HELP'
info supplied in RC for fixmbr and fixboot is really minimal.
Might there be some KB articles or text, telling what they
really do, and how to use them?

A few links about the recovery console from the online copy of the XP
Resource Kit:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_mnxp.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prmc_str_bjid.asp

Note that FIXMBR says it is
usable only on an X86 based system. I guess that anybody who
might use FIXMBR would know whether or not the system is X86....

"X86" relates to a family of processors and describes a type of computer
architecture that has been in use for quite some time. Most, if not all,
home PCs fall into this category.

But when placed as Master on the cable, BIOS set for HDD-0,
it hangs at the blue logo screen that only says Windows. So I
guess, not quite correctly, that FIXBOOT should fix the boot so
that it will boot all the way. It does not, when alone on the
cable, jumpered and set as Master, I'd like it to boot all the
way, as it did before I moved the hard drive over.

I think this is where moving the drive comes into play and is working
against you. Forget the imaging factor for a moment. If you physically move
any XP installation, you are *very* likely to run into a situation where a
repair install is needed. Not only is the boot record a problem but all
internal links to a particular drive position need to be changed. FIXBOOT
only addresses the boot record.

Also... We're still missing a step between making the clone and moving it
so that it will boot from another position. I don't know what it is. It may
be something as simple as skipping the initial boot of the cloned drive
while it's in the slave position or it may be something more intricate. As
I said before, Bill, I don't even "go there" with my imaging software. 1) I
stick with the easier route of restoring to a drive that's in the same
position that the original image was taken from. 2) The overall method will
be similar in all imaging products but the steps to get there will vary. I
use a different product.

 

[William B. Lurie]

A few links about the recovery console from the online copy of the XP
Resource Kit:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_mnxp.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prmc_str_bjid.asp




"X86" relates to a family of processors and describes a type of computer
architecture that has been in use for quite some time. Most, if not all,
home PCs fall into this category.




I think this is where moving the drive comes into play and is working
against you. Forget the imaging factor for a moment. If you physically move
any XP installation, you are *very* likely to run into a situation where a
repair install is needed. Not only is the boot record a problem but all
internal links to a particular drive position need to be changed. FIXBOOT
only addresses the boot record.

Also... We're still missing a step between making the clone and moving it
so that it will boot from another position. I don't know what it is. It may
be something as simple as skipping the initial boot of the cloned drive
while it's in the slave position or it may be something more intricate. As
I said before, Bill, I don't even "go there" with my imaging software. 1) I
stick with the easier route of restoring to a drive that's in the same
position that the original image was taken from. 2) The overall method will
be similar in all imaging products but the steps to get there will vary. I
use a different product.

Thanks for those links, Sharon, but in my browser (Mozilla)
I am not able to do anything to make them short enough to grab.
Could you post them some other way, perhaps?

I agree, we have that fundamental link missing, and I was
hoping that perhaps one of the other MVPs might have been there, done
that. As you said, if you lose your hard drive's OS, you restore
it from an image, to the same drive......but you're skating on
thin ice, and holding your breath, until you find out that the
restore worked. I'm still playing suspenders and a belt.....

What's still gnawing at me, is that I have done it successfully,
but sporadically. So it can be done; I'm trying to find a
procedure which works every time, which would include the time
when I really have to have it.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Actually, you appear to be the one skating on thin ice. I have my image
files saved in a few places. If my hard drive tanks, restoring the image to
a new drive is no big deal, I've done it several times. It appears from all
the problems you've had trying to use an alternate drive for this purpose
that you are the one skating on thin ice. While I'm sure it has happened, I
can't recall ever seeing such an issue from someone simply restoring an
image.

That said, instead of the methodology you are using, have you considered
going to some sort of RAID setup? RAID 1 was designed to achieve precisely
what you are trying to do though through much different means.

Check the link below for an explanation of RAID1 array:
http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reviews/1611/3/

 

[Sharon F]

As you said, if you lose your hard drive's OS, you restore
it from an image, to the same drive......but you're skating on
thin ice, and holding your breath, until you find out that the
restore worked.

Only that very first time I performed a restore, Bill. Now that I have my
routine down, I no longer hold my breath

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks for those links, Sharon, but in my browser (Mozilla)
I am not able to do anything to make them short enough to grab.
Could you post them some other way, perhaps?

Try the "search microsoft.com" box on http://www.microsoft.com and search
for recovery console

 

[William B. Lurie]

Actually, you appear to be the one skating on thin ice. I have my image
files saved in a few places. If my hard drive tanks, restoring the image to
a new drive is no big deal, I've done it several times. It appears from all
the problems you've had trying to use an alternate drive for this purpose
that you are the one skating on thin ice. While I'm sure it has happened, I
can't recall ever seeing such an issue from someone simply restoring an
image.

That said, instead of the methodology you are using, have you considered
going to some sort of RAID setup? RAID 1 was designed to achieve precisely
what you are trying to do though through much different means.

Check the link below for an explanation of RAID1 array:
http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/reviews/1611/3/

Say, that's a clever idea, Michael. I just gave it a quick glance,
but I have no objection to having two 40 GB drives spinning always,
with everything identical on the two drives. Then when one fails,
the other is there, up-to-date. I'll assume, until I read further,
that there is a way to wipe the failed drive clean and reformat
it, and have it put back in service as an operating clone. Or put
a new one in and have it automatically start up as a clone. Thank
you, I'll look into it.

William B. Lurie

 

[Guest]

I'm trying to get some clarification, from all the posts I have been reading
on this common problem.

I get the missing system file error. I DO NOT have a disc, because it was
bought with it already installed a few years ago. I can't boot into safe mode
nor do last good configuration.

Is my understanding correct that as a worst case scenario I would have to
buy a New CD of XP & do a clean install? If so do I have to format the hard
drive or will the install do that?

Also can I do a repair from a borrowed copy of XP or is that where the
product key get's involved?

Thanks
james

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

I see you finally have things worked out, William and that's great. In case
your still interested, here's a site that not only explains RAID but how to
set it up. I've never done it myself though I'm considering it for my next
desktop. In any event, this site may answer any questions that you might
have:
http://members.shaw.ca/xtremecomputing/RAID.htm

 

[William B. Lurie]

I see you finally have things worked out, William and that's great. In case
your still interested, here's a site that not only explains RAID but how to
set it up. I've never done it myself though I'm considering it for my next
desktop. In any event, this site may answer any questions that you might
have:
http://members.shaw.ca/xtremecomputing/RAID.htm

Yes, Michael, thanks largely to you and Sharon. The path
was not without pitfalls, for example in the form of
people whose pleasure comes from being an annoyance just
for the sake of being one, with no contribution to make
other than the smell.

It has been educational for me, and very likely for a
multitude of people who have learned, if they had the
persistence, that what seems straightforward can be
sidetracked by something simple.

I also learned about the multitude of aids which Microsoft
built in, that the casual e-mail-only user of XP would
never suspect existed. That's why it's a pleasure to have
patient MVPs and others to bring them out into the open.
To list a few: Recovery Console. Repair Installation. FIXBOOT.
FIXMBR. And a most valuable tool, CHKDSK.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

You are welcome, William and thank you for the compliments.

Good luck.

 

[Michael Stevens]

I'm trying to get some clarification, from all the posts I have been
reading on this common problem.

I get the missing system file error. I DO NOT have a disc, because it
was bought with it already installed a few years ago. I can't boot
into safe mode nor do last good configuration.

Is my understanding correct that as a worst case scenario I would
have to buy a New CD of XP & do a clean install? If so do I have to
format the hard drive or will the install do that?

Also can I do a repair from a borrowed copy of XP or is that where the
product key get's involved?

Thanks
james

You can use a OEM XP version, preferably the generic OEM version using your
key.
If you clean install the partitioning and format are done during the setup.
All this is covered in the links below.
You boot from the CD and do a clean install.
Click on or copy and paste the link below into your web browser address bar.
How to clean install XP.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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