isapnp.sys corrupted

[Ken green]

Using the repair option on a XP pro disk, I attempt to
repair but get 'access denied' when I type in a command at
the c prompt to fix this isapnp.sy file. I am never asked
for a password.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

NOTE: the information below describes a repair install as opposed to the
recovery console option in your post.

Assuming you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, try a Repair
install as follows:
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.

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.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.

 

[Ken Green]

I tried your suggestion. But I was only given the option
to format the c partition. There were no other options. I
do have a full retail version of XP pro. Any other ideas.
When I got the option to format c it said the partition
was too full or corrupted.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

That may well be the reason for the error, the partition might be corrupted.

Below are the last of the non-destructive options. If these don't work, it
would appear you would have to format and start over.

Boot the system and start pressing F8, this should bring up a menu, select
"Last Known Good Configuration"

If that doesn't work, try the recovery console, assuming you

Boot the system as you did for the Repair install with the XP CD in the
drive

XP Setup will begin by examining your system, don't worry, just let it run,
it's just copying some files to a temp folder. Ultimately, you'll be
brought to a menu. Choose, "Repair a Windows XP installation using the
Recovery Console, press R.

You will be asked for an administrators password. This is not any of the
accounts you've created for XP. It's a hidden system account for which
users are asked only to create a password during setup. Most leave this
blank. If you left it blank, when asked for a password, just leave blank
and press enter.

At the prompt type bootcfg /rebuild and press enter.