Corrupted system files in XP

[Carlzzz]

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3? Don't want to
reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot files.

Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for those who
recall that old thing.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3? Don't want to
reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot files.

Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for those who
recall that old thing.

There's no such thing, really. However:

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console (Q314058)
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=kb;en-us;Q314058

Invalid Boot.ini or Windows Could Not Start Error Messages When You
Start Your Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

Description of the BOOTCFG Command and Its Uses
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317521

If that fails, a repair installation may be required:

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP (Q315341
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm



--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Carlzzz]

I'm on SP3. Can I use an install CD from a previous XP Home revision?

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3? Don't
want to reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot files.

Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for those who
recall that old thing.

Boot from your XP installation CD. Borrow one if you don't have one.
Pick "R" for the recovery console.
Pick the Windows installation you want to repair (probably [1] C:\Windows)
If it asks for an Administrator password just press enter.
At the prompt (probably C:\Windows) type "chkdsk /P" (without the quotes)
When that completes (may take a while), type "fixboot"
When prompted "Are You Sure....", type "Y".
At the prompt, type "exit" to reboot.
This has worked for me numerous times.
If it doesn't, you're not out anything.
Good luck.

 

[Lem]

I'm on SP3. Can I use an install CD from a previous XP Home revision?

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3? Don't
want to reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot files.

Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for those who
recall that old thing.

Boot from your XP installation CD. Borrow one if you don't have one.
Pick "R" for the recovery console.
Pick the Windows installation you want to repair (probably [1] C:\Windows)
If it asks for an Administrator password just press enter.
At the prompt (probably C:\Windows) type "chkdsk /P" (without the quotes)
When that completes (may take a while), type "fixboot"
When prompted "Are You Sure....", type "Y".
At the prompt, type "exit" to reboot.
This has worked for me numerous times.
If it doesn't, you're not out anything.
Good luck.

If you have an install CD for anything later than the original version
of XP (XP Gold), then download sp3 and slipstream it.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

 

[Jose]

I'm on SP3.  Can I use an install CD from a previous XP Home revision?

Boot from your XP installation CD. Borrow one if you don't have one.
Pick "R" for the recovery console.
Pick the Windows installation you want to repair (probably [1] C:\Windows)
If it asks for an Administrator password just press enter.
At the prompt (probably C:\Windows) type "chkdsk /P" (without the quotes)
When that completes (may take a while), type "fixboot"
When prompted "Are You Sure....", type "Y".
At the prompt, type "exit" to reboot.
This has worked for me numerous times.
If it doesn't, you're not out anything.
Good luck.

If you boot into Recovery Console from any XP installation CD and do
it properly, you won't be installing anything. You will only be
running RC commands like:

chkdsk /r

and a few other commands if needed. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

If you do not have any bootable XP media, you can create your own
bootable RC CD. No XP media required.

Did you experience a power interruption?

 

[Twayne]

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3? Don't
want to reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot files.

Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for those who
recall that old thing.

Before doing anything, be certain to make a current backup of your
computer. Mistakes happen when you mess around near or with the OS.

Probably the closest thing to that in XP is System Restore. It doesn't
make a disk bootable on its own but can restore most of the boot &
startup files.

If you've ever used XP's native ntbackup to save a System State that's a
little more inclusive in that it holds even more system files but most
people don't bother with it.
Either of the above methods of course will lose any installs made
since the date of the restore point or system state restore.

Or you could try an "in place" install which will just refresh the files
with those from the CD which may or may not help depending on a few
thigns. Recommend looking up xp in place install for more info.
As longas you don't screw up, you won't lose your data.

AFAIK that's about all the choices you have where you won't lose your
data. Get that backup in place ASAP if yo udon't already have it.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Twayne]

I'm on SP3. Can I use an install CD from a previous XP Home

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3? Don't
want to reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot
files. Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for
those
who recall that old thing.
Boot from your XP installation CD. Borrow one if you don't have one.
Pick "R" for the recovery console.
Pick the Windows installation you want to repair (probably [1]
C:\Windows) If it asks for an Administrator password just press
enter. At the prompt (probably C:\Windows) type "chkdsk /P" (without
the
quotes) When that completes (may take a while), type "fixboot"
When prompted "Are You Sure....", type "Y".
At the prompt, type "exit" to reboot.
This has worked for me numerous times.
If it doesn't, you're not out anything.
Good luck.

If you have an install CD for anything later than the original version
of XP (XP Gold), then download sp3 and slipstream it.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389

In order to install SP3 you need SP1a or SP2 installed first. See the
MS install requirements for SP3 at their web site.

Twayne`

 

[Jose]

How can I reload the boot files on a system with XP Home SP3?  Don't want to
reinstall Windows. Only need to refresh the boot files.

Looking for something similar to the SYS command in DOS, for those who
recall that old thing.

What is the nature of the problem that makes you think you need to
refresh the boot files?

Provide as much detailed information as possible about any messages
you think are abnormal.

If you have some kind of bootable XP installation media, that is a
good start.

What to do next depends on your pending detailed problem description.