WinXP won't boot

[Guest]

I have seen this coming for a couple of day's. The system would freeze on
boot but when I hit the reset button it would go to full boot.
This has happened six or seven times.
Now it won't boot period and I get the "boot failure, insert system disk".
I insert the startup disk that I made a couple of years ago but when I use
the command such as FDISK /MBR or any other commands it won't excecute them.
Do I have to do a format and reinstall the system?
Appreciate any help.

Bud Z

 

[philo]

I have seen this coming for a couple of day's. The system would freeze on
boot but when I hit the reset button it would go to full boot.
This has happened six or seven times.
Now it won't boot period and I get the "boot failure, insert system disk".
I insert the startup disk that I made a couple of years ago but when I use
the command such as FDISK /MBR or any other commands it won't excecute
them.
Do I have to do a format and reinstall the system?
Appreciate any help.

Bud Z

well you can boot from your XP cd
and from the recover console issue the command: fixboot
ot fixmbr

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Depending on which type of XP CD you have, try a 'Repair' install of XP
which will keep your programs, files and settings in place:

"How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install"
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--


Will Denny
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

 

[Guest]

Will Denny,

When I do as you suggest I get the following "28624 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus
0 on atapi
Setup cannot access this disk".
Should I try the "fixboot or fixmbr" from the recover console as Philo
suggests?

Thanks for your help,

Bud Z

 

[AJR]

The message about _operating system not found" is usually the result of the
HD not being detected. You mention a "startup disk" - do you get an "A" or
"C" prompt - If an "A" can you access the C drive? - or do you get a message
about it being inaccessible due to virus, etc.?
There are two repairs available through use of the XP CD - boot from the
CD - ignore first option to repair - if HD is being recognized you will have
dialogue on the screen informing you that an installation of Windows has
been found with an offer to repair - accept.

If you cannot access C through the startup disk (98 or ME version) and/or
there is no indication of an installed windows through the repair process -
HD time.
BTW - make sure BIOS setting is for auto detection of drives.

 

[Guest]

I cannot access c via the startup disk so I guess it's format and re-install
time
I just hate to re-install all my apps.

Thanks

Bud Z