Boot.ini problem... Repair Install on Windows XP

[Guest]

Hello, I have experienced this problem years ago (missing / corrupt boot.ini
file) and a simple repair install helped me get Xp up and running..... Here
is the kicker...

When I boot from my Windows Xp CD, I hit enter to install, press F8 to
accept the agreement, when I continue, it only wants to install a fresh copy.

In the past, you would be told that there is an existing version and if you
want to repair instead of installing and this is where you push 'R'.

The only options now are.... Delete, Install Fresh Copy on Top or just F3 to
Exit.

I grew this computer from Windows95, then 98, went to ME and finally XP
Professional (upgrading HDs and hardware as required as the years progressed)

There is a lot of software installed that I purchased on line, that is
irreplaceable....

I have a defective HD that should have a copy of the Boot.ini file.... (this
was replaced because it was about to fail) If I use the boot.ini file from
the old HD, will that solve my probs ?

Any other suggestions ??

Thank You in advance,
Cheers

 

[Guest]

If the repair is failing to detect the existing install, it means the
registry is damaged too badly to repair. (Replacing a boot.ini depends on
registry entries not available to you.) You approach is going to have to
center on getting a registry back in there.

Each instance of your restore points has a registry that might serve.
How to Recover from a Corrupted Registry -config-system:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q307545

There is also a fix from MS for some things.
Damaged Registry Repair and Recovery in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q318159