XP won't boot

  • Thread starter Thread starter lindy
  • Start date Start date
L

lindy

Running XP SP1 computer won't boot. Is it possible to reinstall XP without
losing everything on the drive? If so please advise how. Thanks
 
Why not? Any error messages? Before going about installing the OS, I
suggest try booting from a floppy drive using this info:

Visit the website http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Click the Win XP Faq button
Look at question 10 'How do i create an emergency start up disk for XP'
You will need a floppy disk for this.

When you have done this, boot up the system and use up-arrow key to go
to the first Windows (default) item. See if it boots from this.

Let us know what happens.

Regards,
 
Are you sure you don't want to troubleshoot before jumping strait into a
repair or reinstall?

Provide more details of problem. What has changed if anything?
hardware, software, add or remove
 
The first time I got the messaage"missing windows\system32\config\system"
now I don't even get that don't get past the boot screen
 
lindy said:
Running XP SP1 computer won't boot. Is it possible to reinstall XP
without losing everything on the drive? If so please advise how.
Click to expand...



No. However you can do what's called a "Repair Installation," which retains
your data. Whether it's likely to help you or not, I don't know, since
you've provided very little information about your problem.

If you want to try it, read "How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install"
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm But if I were you, I
would first provide more information here about your problem, to see if
someone has a better suggestion for you.
 
Like I said you could start with the MS KB article I provided if you fill
comfortable with it.

It's worth a try.

You might want to try this first. All depends on comfort level.
Another you could do is mount this HDD in another computer and copy data
files to its HDD or to CD(s) if it has CD burner. Then you do a Repair or
Clean Install to bad HDD and not worry about loosing precious data files!!
 
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