Repair XP Not Doing Anything

S

sbp

Trying to run Repair from the Windows XP Home CD as
instructed on the DOS screen. Nothing happens. Here are
the details:

PC boots to dos screen message: config.sys is corrupted
or missing, run windows setup, select R for repair.

I boot from the Windows Home setup CD. Windows setup
loads files. Given choice to select install or select
repair using recovery console. I select Repair. Screen
shows "1: c:\windows" "Which installation would you like
to log onto?" I select 1 (my only choice), and I'm back
at the c:\windows DOS prompt. No repair. If I choose
install instead of repair, the setup indicates I don't
have a prior version of windows, so it won't repair.

This stinks. Whoever thought of preventing Windows XP
from reinstalling over Windows XP was out of his mind. If
I could just rerun setup (like in Win 95, 98, ME, etc.)
I'd be fine.
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

Hi,
PC boots to dos screen message: config.sys is corrupted
or missing, run windows setup, select R for repair.
Click to expand...

Stop here, do not choose repair, choose "run windows setup". Hit F8 at the
license screen. Setup should see the existing installation and offer to
repair it. If it does not, you may have a corrupted file system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
G

Guest

That solution will not work -- I tried it already --
because it involves doing a clean setup, which means
Windows will search for existing installations of a
version of Windows below XP. Since this PC is running
XP, the setup won't find Win 95, 98, etc., and kicks me
out of setup. As I said in my original message, Windows
XP doesn't allow a reinstall over existing XP OS,
something I confirmed with Windows tech support last year
when I had similar problem on another computer. Any
other ideas?
-----Original Message-----
The Recovery Console option is more for experts, to do
Click to expand...
things like replace specific files. Perhaps you are
wanting to do a Repair Install. See this page for more
information, How to Perform a Repair Install with Windows
XP: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

"sbp" <[email protected]> wrote in
Click to expand...
message news:[email protected]...
 
S

sbp

As mentioned, I can't do "run windows setup" because
Windows XP sees the existing installation, and will only
run setup on prior OS (win 95, 98, etc.).
 
B

Bill James

You are unwilling to learn and insist on sticking with your own wrong conclusions instead of reading the answers available to you.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

That solution will not work -- I tried it already --
because it involves doing a clean setup, which means
Windows will search for existing installations of a
version of Windows below XP. Since this PC is running
XP, the setup won't find Win 95, 98, etc., and kicks me
out of setup. As I said in my original message, Windows
XP doesn't allow a reinstall over existing XP OS,
something I confirmed with Windows tech support last year
when I had similar problem on another computer. Any
other ideas?
-----Original Message-----
The Recovery Console option is more for experts, to do
Click to expand...
things like replace specific files. Perhaps you are
wanting to do a Repair Install. See this page for more
information, How to Perform a Repair Install with Windows
XP: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

"sbp" <[email protected]> wrote in
Click to expand...
message news:[email protected]...
 
G

Guest

What is it I am unwilling to learn? I already said I
followed the instructions on
-----Original Message-----
You are unwilling to learn and insist on sticking with
Click to expand...
your own wrong conclusions instead of reading the answers
available to you.
 
G

Guest

What is it I am unwilling to learn? I already said I
followed the instructions you set forth on
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm.
It states:

"Press Enter to start the Windows Setup."

I DID.

"do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using
the Recovery Console, press R", (you do not want to load
Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a
Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console,
press R".

I DID NOT.

4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search
for existing Windows installations.

I DID.

BUT....as I also already indicated, the app searched for
existing Windows Installations, but since Windows XP
apparently does not count as an existing installation, it
returns the message "could not find any..." and kicks me
out of setup.

SO... What exactly am I not reading? Or are you
unwilling to listen to what I said -- which is that I
followed your recommended procedure and it did not work.
Are you a Microsoft employee? I don't appreciate the
obnoxious tone when I objectively set forth what occurred.
-----Original Message-----
You are unwilling to learn and insist on sticking with
Click to expand...
your own wrong conclusions instead of reading the answers
available to you.
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

Hi,

If you do that, after the license agreement, it will offer to repair an
existing installation.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

Hi,

Load the Recovery Console by choosing the repair option, run chkdsk C: /r
and post back with what it reports (this assumes the installation is on C:\,
if not change it accordingly).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone



What is it I am unwilling to learn? I already said I
followed the instructions you set forth on
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm.
It states:

"Press Enter to start the Windows Setup."

I DID.

"do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using
the Recovery Console, press R", (you do not want to load
Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a
Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console,
press R".

I DID NOT.

4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search
for existing Windows installations.

I DID.

BUT....as I also already indicated, the app searched for
existing Windows Installations, but since Windows XP
apparently does not count as an existing installation, it
returns the message "could not find any..." and kicks me
out of setup.

SO... What exactly am I not reading? Or are you
unwilling to listen to what I said -- which is that I
followed your recommended procedure and it did not work.
Are you a Microsoft employee? I don't appreciate the
obnoxious tone when I objectively set forth what occurred.
-----Original Message-----
You are unwilling to learn and insist on sticking with
Click to expand...
your own wrong conclusions instead of reading the answers
available to you.
 
B

Bill James

Your assumption that a repair install does not work for existing Windows XP installs is incorrect, in fact that is exactly opposite since an older version cannot be "repaired" from the XP setup CD.

If the correct selections for doing a repair install are not finding an existing Windows XP installation to repair, that indicates a problem with the existing install that is more serious than what can be fixed with a repair install, or perhaps a problem with the Setup CD you are using.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

What is it I am unwilling to learn? I already said I
followed the instructions you set forth on
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm.
It states:

"Press Enter to start the Windows Setup."

I DID.

"do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using
the Recovery Console, press R", (you do not want to load
Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a
Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console,
press R".

I DID NOT.

4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search
for existing Windows installations.

I DID.

BUT....as I also already indicated, the app searched for
existing Windows Installations, but since Windows XP
apparently does not count as an existing installation, it
returns the message "could not find any..." and kicks me
out of setup.

SO... What exactly am I not reading? Or are you
unwilling to listen to what I said -- which is that I
followed your recommended procedure and it did not work.
Are you a Microsoft employee? I don't appreciate the
obnoxious tone when I objectively set forth what occurred.
-----Original Message-----
You are unwilling to learn and insist on sticking with
Click to expand...
your own wrong conclusions instead of reading the answers
available to you.
 
S

sbp

My assumption is not about the repair install; when I
tried to run the repair install (which your instructions
specifically state "don't do this"), nothing happened at
all when I selected "r". Following the instructions from
the web site you directed me to, I did not choose repair -
- which, naturally, WOULD look for an installation of
Windows XP -- but "windows setup." As instructed, I
selected Windows Setup. Windows setup then searches for
a prior installation. The error message that comes up
specifically says it is looking for Win 95, Win 98, Win
ME, etc...., and will not proceed without this EARLIER
OS.

Your statement that I am assuming "a repair install does
not work" is incorrect because it assumes a "repair
install" is what I was instructed to run, when the
instructions specifically say to bypass that and go to
Windows setup. From there, I can't get to step 5 (Select
the XP installation you want to repair from the list and
press R to start the repair) because I can't get past
setp 4 (search for existing Windows installations).
-----Original Message-----
Your assumption that a repair install does not work for
Click to expand...
existing Windows XP installs is incorrect, in fact that
is exactly opposite since an older version cannot
be "repaired" from the XP setup CD.
If the correct selections for doing a repair install are
Click to expand...
not finding an existing Windows XP installation to
repair, that indicates a problem with the existing
install that is more serious than what can be fixed with
a repair install, or perhaps a problem with the Setup CD
you are using.
 
B

Bill James

Your messages contradict each other. I am done.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

My assumption is not about the repair install; when I
tried to run the repair install (which your instructions
specifically state "don't do this"), nothing happened at
all when I selected "r". Following the instructions from
the web site you directed me to, I did not choose repair -
- which, naturally, WOULD look for an installation of
Windows XP -- but "windows setup." As instructed, I
selected Windows Setup. Windows setup then searches for
a prior installation. The error message that comes up
specifically says it is looking for Win 95, Win 98, Win
ME, etc...., and will not proceed without this EARLIER
OS.

Your statement that I am assuming "a repair install does
not work" is incorrect because it assumes a "repair
install" is what I was instructed to run, when the
instructions specifically say to bypass that and go to
Windows setup. From there, I can't get to step 5 (Select
the XP installation you want to repair from the list and
press R to start the repair) because I can't get past
setp 4 (search for existing Windows installations).
-----Original Message-----
Your assumption that a repair install does not work for
Click to expand...
existing Windows XP installs is incorrect, in fact that
is exactly opposite since an older version cannot
be "repaired" from the XP setup CD.
If the correct selections for doing a repair install are
Click to expand...
not finding an existing Windows XP installation to
repair, that indicates a problem with the existing
install that is more serious than what can be fixed with
a repair install, or perhaps a problem with the Setup CD
you are using.
 
S

sbp

What I'm seeing is, after the license agreement, it goes
directly to looking for existing installations. Since it
doesn't see a "qualifying" installation, it prompts me to
insert original media for Win 95, 98, ME, etc... It
doesn't want to treat XP as existing installation so I'm
stuck.
 
M

Michael Stevens

sbp said:
My assumption is not about the repair install; when I
tried to run the repair install (which your instructions
specifically state "don't do this"), nothing happened at
all when I selected "r". Following the instructions from
the web site you directed me to, I did not choose repair -
- which, naturally, WOULD look for an installation of
Windows XP -- but "windows setup." As instructed, I
selected Windows Setup. Windows setup then searches for
a prior installation. The error message that comes up
specifically says it is looking for Win 95, Win 98, Win
ME, etc...., and will not proceed without this EARLIER
OS.

Your statement that I am assuming "a repair install does
not work" is incorrect because it assumes a "repair
install" is what I was instructed to run, when the
instructions specifically say to bypass that and go to
Windows setup. From there, I can't get to step 5 (Select
the XP installation you want to repair from the list and
press R to start the repair) because I can't get past
setp 4 (search for existing Windows installations).
Click to expand...

sbp,
Can you load the recovery console from the R option? If so, run bootcfg
/add. You may be missing the boot.ini from the C drive.
See the link below for more bootcfg switches. If this doesn't work, you may
not have a repairable XP installation. Did you try the steps in the article
by Charlie White in the warnings link?
Windows XP Crashed?
http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

Bootcfg switches
http://michaelstevenstech.com/r_c_cmds.htm#Bootcfg
If you have important data on the XP partition, you might consider
temporarily installing the hard drive to another XP computer to retrieve the
data before doing anymore experimenting.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
S

sbp

You certainly are done. Sorry, but there is nothing
contradictory in my message, and since you continue to
accuse me of being illogical, contradictory, unwilling to
learn, etc... without actually specifying what I've said
that is erroneous, I can't expect any constructive help
from you. I guess that despite being a high school
valedictorian, Ivy League graduate, doctoral degree cum
laude, I'm just not smart enough to keep up with you.
-----Original Message-----
Your messages contradict each other. I am done.

--

Bill James
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User

Win9x VBScript Utilities » www.billsway.com/vbspage/
Windows Tweaks & Tips » www.billsway.com/notes_public/

"sbp" <[email protected]> wrote in
Click to expand...
message news:[email protected]...
 
M

Michael Stevens

sbp said:
What I'm seeing is, after the license agreement, it goes
directly to looking for existing installations. Since it
doesn't see a "qualifying" installation, it prompts me to
insert original media for Win 95, 98, ME, etc... It
doesn't want to treat XP as existing installation so I'm
stuck.
Click to expand...


I haven't seen exactly your situation, but I have experienced the lack of
the option to make a repair install.
I personally was not able to recover, but some have had success with the
article by Charlie White in the warnings link on my repair install page, and
see my other reply to you for another option. It seems to be a corrupt or
missing boot.ini.
Good luck and post back with your results.

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
S

sbp

Thanks for responding. It's nice to hear a suggestion
rather than misplaced condesension. I'm not sure if I
have loaded the recovery console, since after
selecting "r", I simply find myself at the c:\windows DOS
prompt. I'll see of I can run bootcfg/add. I'm running
chkdsk on c:\windows now, but it's very slow. I still
don't understand why Win XP won't let me run setup on top
of Win XP installation.
 
M

Michael Stevens

sbp said:
Thanks for responding. It's nice to hear a suggestion
rather than misplaced condesension. I'm not sure if I
have loaded the recovery console, since after
selecting "r", I simply find myself at the c:\windows DOS
prompt.
Click to expand...

That is the Recovery Console.
Recovery Console
http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#RC
I'll see of I can run bootcfg/add. I'm running
chkdsk on c:\windows now, but it's very slow. I still
don't understand why Win XP won't let me run setup on top
of Win XP installation.
Click to expand...

--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
S

sbp

Thanks. I got the impression that the console must be
loaded because I could run chkdsk. I note, however, that
the prompts should give you an idea not to expect
anything to happen when it loads.
 

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