How to Re-install Accessibility Wizard Only in XP

[nielloeb]

Sometime in the past, I deleted the Accessibility Wizard/Accessibility
Options. I need to re-install. My original XP installation disc seems
to want to install the whole OS, with no option for installing just one
component.

How do I install just the Accessibility Wizard?

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com

If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore to
take you back to a time when this worked properly. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. If that doesn't resolve
it, try the information below.

The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.

Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.

If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:

Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

 

[nielloeb]

Thanks for the guidance. The first, easy fix didn't work. Frankly, I
don't want to go through the more complex fix.

Why the hell can't Windows allow you to uninstall and re-install
easily?

I used to work on Macs. It was incredibly easy to do stuff like this
on them.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

You're welcome.

I don't know the precise procedure on a Mac so I can't compare.

You can't uninstall a Windows OS unless it was an upgrade installed over a
previous setup and you elected to save your previous setup during the
upgrade installation when prompted to do so. If Windows was installed clean
to a freshly formatted drive, you can't uninstall from within Windows
because there'd be no place for the computer to go.

An uninstall which amounts to a format and starting over is a rather drastic
since it would not only remove the OS but all your applications and data
files, forcing you to start over. The things I listed are various options a
user can try without having to go through the trouble of reinstalling XP,
reinstalling all applications and restoring a user's data files from backup,
assuming they have a backup.

I would think, a repair install, while it does involve numerous steps, would
be much preferable to having as your only option, removing and reinstalling
the operating system. If you do that on a Mac, would that not require
reinstalling all application and restoring data not to mention
reinstallation of all hardware drivers and reestablishing any custom
settings.

What I offered was an alternative to such drastic measures. If all you wish
to do is "uninstall and reinstall," the procedure is rather simple, boot
from the XP CD, run setup, at the appropriate part of setup, delete the old
partition, create a new one, format and continue. Below is the procedure
for doing precisely what you asked in this post but understand, it will wipe
the drive much as a restore CD from a manufacturer will wipe the drive and
return the system to factory fresh condition except when using a retail CD
of XP you would then have to reinstall apps, drivers and restore your data:
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.

 

[nielloeb]

Thanks again. I'm afraid I was misunderstood. I meant I am frustrated
that I cannot simply re-install just the Accessibility Wizard/Options
easily. On a Mac (at least, pre-OS X) you simply insert your original
OS CD, and either choose the individual component of the OS to
re-install or search the CD for that component and drag it to your
System folder.
I appreciate you checking back on my now old message in this forum.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Ah, yes, XP has that option as well but not for all components and, in many
cases, the default option in XP only removes the shortcut. There is an
option for reinstalling a number of components in Add/Remove Programs under
Add/Remove Windows Components. Unfortunately, the Accessibility component
is one of them, thus the requirement for using SFC /scannow (System File
Checker) and if that fails, a Repair Install.