Repair windows without cd?

[KC]

I have windows XP home and it has stopped working, apparently I need to
repair it using the startup CD, but it came already installed with the new
computer and I did not get a startup CD. Is it possible to repair it without
the CD?

 

[philo]

I have windows XP home and it has stopped working, apparently I need to
repair it using the startup CD, but it came already installed with the new
computer and I did not get a startup CD. Is it possible to repair it without
the CD?

If you mean getting to the recovery console,
unless the recovery console was already installed (I think Compaq may do
that)
you cannot get to it unless you boot from the cd.

If you are simply trying to perform a system restore (XP's)
then you don't need the cd for that

 

[KC]

Thanks for your help, I guess I need to do a system restore. But how do I do
a system restore? Windows is not working at all and I can't even get into
safe mode, when I turn the computer on either the screen stays blank and the
computer beeps (not the usual startup beep, a long loud beep) or the computer
says that I need to insert the startup cd to repair windows.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

The beep you are hearing is coming from the motherboard BIOS. It is failing
to find some vital part of the hardware needed to start Windows. One long
beep alone usually means the Video device is not working.
My first try at a fix would be to unplug the machine and remove the computer
case, The video card may not be firmly 'seated' in it's slot. If the video
is 'built-in' to the motherboard (not a 'card', look at what the cable is
attached to), you may be faced with replacement, or repair. Beeping in Safe
Mode is bad. You need to contact the people who sold you the system.

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[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for your help, I guess I need to do a system restore. But how do I do
a system restore? Windows is not working at all and I can't even get into
safe mode, when I turn the computer on either the screen stays blank and the
computer beeps (not the usual startup beep, a long loud beep) or the computer
says that I need to insert the startup cd to repair windows.

That beep is telling you about a hardware problem. You won't fix it by
doing a System Restore or repairing or reinstalling Windows.