Will boot floppies help me?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hello all,

It began with that pesky NV4_disp driver conflict. Can't access system for
more than a few moments before it crashes. Tried a Repair, but my password
<blank>was rejected. I assume it is the sysprep I've read about here.
I know it's important to get the right floppy files, but my son has no idea
if he has SP1 or SP2 - he is not in auto update.
Two questions:
1 - How can I determine which service pack he has when I can't access the
system?
2 - If the boot floppies are limited in function, how do I accomplish a
Repair?

Thank you. I'm really confused.
 
1) dont believe you can
Can you access Safe Mode, tap F8 constantly as soon as you start to boot?
If so uninstall the vid drivers
 
Hi,

The boot floppies will merely allow you to get past the blank password
issue. From there you can work in the Recovery Console, but you will need
the full system disk for some operations. However, for a repair installation
you do not need the admin password, you boot the system with the XP CD and
start a regular install, bypassing the initial prompt to hit 'r' to repair
the system. Once you agree to the license by hitting F8, you will arrive at
the screen to choose the installation location. By selecting the existing
installation, you will be offered the opportunity to repair it.

Incidentally, if SP2 is installed, then one of the boot menu options will be
to disable automatic restart on system failure. If this is not present when
accessing it by hitting F8 at boot, then he has not installed SP2 and would
still be on SP1 (or with no SP at all).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Back
Top