Recovery or Repair

[Guest]

My duaghter has a computer, just loaded with software for Graphic Art,
Photo Editing etc etc.
IT would not BOOT in Safe Mode or any other Mode. IT had a Bad or Missing
Windows Config file in the System directory. I was forced to refromat and
reinstall and use up 12 hours of time, doing so.
The computer has the Recovery Files on a Virtual Drive and NO WIndows XP
CD. I was Unable to use the Repair Utilit, because of this.
I would like to make a Boot CD so I can at least get into a Windows
enviroment without drivers etc and then use the File Managaer to copy the
problem File. I can not find a way to make such a disk. Does anyone have a
solution? 12 hours to overcome the inability to fix a problem file is a
problem.
As a consumer, I do NOT need to know that I should have bought a seperate
copy of Windows Xp verus OEM from the manufacturer. I am one of thousands, so
what is the best remedy?
Thanks
Can I copy the reair utility from a website and then the supporting files
from my CDs? (6 CDs with Windows and other OEM Software inclduded.)

 

[Tom Porterfield]

My duaghter has a computer, just loaded with software for Graphic Art,
Photo Editing etc etc.
IT would not BOOT in Safe Mode or any other Mode. IT had a Bad or Missing
Windows Config file in the System directory. I was forced to refromat and
reinstall and use up 12 hours of time, doing so.

Next time you see this error, see if the following article helps:

How to troubleshoot registry corruption issues
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/822705

How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from
starting
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545/

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

The computer has the Recovery Files on a Virtual Drive and NO WIndows XP
CD. I was Unable to use the Repair Utilit, because of this.
I would like to make a Boot CD so I can at least get into a Windows
enviroment without drivers etc and then use the File Managaer to copy the
problem File. I can not find a way to make such a disk. Does anyone have a
solution? 12 hours to overcome the inability to fix a problem file is a
problem.

One possible option is Bart PE from http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/.
Another option is to remove the drive from the PC it is in and add it as
a second drive in a working PC that has Windows XP as its OS. Boot into
the working Windows XP and repair any damaged files from there.

Note that both of these options require that you have more than basic
knowledge of what needs to be done.

As a consumer, I do NOT need to know that I should have bought a seperate
copy of Windows Xp verus OEM from the manufacturer. I am one of thousands, so
what is the best remedy?

I agree and it is unfortunate that OEM's distribute Windows in this fashion.

Thanks
Can I copy the reair utility from a website and then the supporting files
from my CDs? (6 CDs with Windows and other OEM Software inclduded.)

It depends on how your CD's are put together, but most likely this won't
work. Note however that in many instances it is possible to repair
Windows XP without a repair install.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

There is no such facility in XP. However, you can use this:

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

HTh

 

[Guest]

Thank You for a Prompt and polite reply

 

[Guest]

Thanks, I went and downloaded the file to create the diskettes, she Does
have a 3 1/2 floppy, mine does NOT. Would I be able to burn the files from
the 6 floppies to a CD and use it in my system? I do NOT have a floppy drive,
on CD-Roms and HDs.
I want the Repair utility and am dumbfounded why it is nOT included in ALL
WIndows.

 

[Tom Porterfield]

Thanks, I went and downloaded the file to create the diskettes, she Does
have a 3 1/2 floppy, mine does NOT. Would I be able to burn the files from
the 6 floppies to a CD and use it in my system? I do NOT have a floppy drive,
on CD-Roms and HDs.
I want the Repair utility and am dumbfounded why it is nOT included in ALL
WIndows.

I do not know of a way to create a bootable CD from the floppies.
--
Tom Porterfield
MS-MVP Windows
http://support.telop.org

Please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup only.