Repairing Windows XP Service Pack 2

[Guest]

My Windows XP does not start, it give a message like "Windows XP could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

I tried everything from the microsoft support web site. I did "Manual steps
to recover a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting". only
part one, I was unable to do part two, since win xp did not load.

The problem is I don't have the service pack 2 win xp cd.

I have the original win xp cd (with out any service packs). Then service
pack 2 was downloaded as a seperate package and is on the hard drive.

How can I repair this installation for which I have no service pack 2 cd and
no administrator password. Is there any way I can find the password?


Regards,

Mike

 

[housetrained]

My Windows XP does not start, it give a message like "Windows XP could not
start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM"

I tried everything from the microsoft support web site. I did "Manual
steps
to recover a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting".
only
part one, I was unable to do part two, since win xp did not load.

The problem is I don't have the service pack 2 win xp cd.

I have the original win xp cd (with out any service packs). Then service
pack 2 was downloaded as a seperate package and is on the hard drive.

How can I repair this installation for which I have no service pack 2 cd
and
no administrator password. Is there any way I can find the password?


Regards,

Mike

What I would do - if you have important stuff - buy another HDD - install it
as master and your old HDD as slave - install XP from your CD - download the
SP2 update and all the others - move your important stuff from the 'old'
drive to the new one. Then you will always have a spare HDD to re-install on
every year or so.

 

[Guest]

If I install onto the partition which already has Windows XP Service Pack 2
installed (which doesn't work), will I lose my data (e.g. desktop icons,
installed programs on listed in add/remove program, games in the program
folder)?

If not after having reinstalled the operating sytem I should be able to
upgrade to service pack 2 again.

Please note that when I select to install, no repair option comes up and
warns about multiple operating systems.

Regards,

Mike