Windows XP repair

yaggayagga Havn't you heard? ... New
edited July 2004 in Science & Tech
I need to repair a windows xp install just to see if it works without creating headaches reinstalling EVERYTHING. When I start the computer it says this whatever file is corrupt or missing and to insert the cd and do a repair install. I have tried the repair install but all it does is take me to a command prompt, what do i do here?!!! I thought it was going to reinstall windows over the existing copy to fix what ever needs fixing. I went and tried to do a regular install but am to afraid that I would install a second copy instead of installing over the original copy. It says its bad to have two versions of windows installed and thats what made me think its not gonna copy over the existing files. Anyway, I know with the win9x series you could just install normally over an existing copy and problem solved, but win xp doesn't seem the same.

I need to reinstall windows xp OVER the existing copy so that all my settings, programs, games, etc. will remain intact on the next reboot, how would I do this?

Comments

  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited July 2004
    no see what YOU did was go the repair CONSOLE.

    instead of that, go to "install windows" and then it'll get to a point where it says something like

    1) format and install
    2) install over
    3) F8 to repair install

    i really cant remember exactly, but you have to go a little ways down the "install windows" menus before you get the repair install option

    i know that wasn't very helpful, but what you're looking for is NOT the recovery console
  • yaggayagga Havn't you heard? ... New
    edited July 2004
    okay, now I seem to remember that option, I was just trying to be careful and not install anything that would force me to finish installing it for it to be usable.

    Dang, I wish I would of come back earlier, I didn't get an email for this "new post'

    So is the recovery console similar to the start up disk for windows 98/me but now its built into the install cd instead of a separate floppy?
    Okay, I got to the screen, "press f8" to accept to license, then "to set up windows xp on the selected item, press enter", then "to continue setup on this partition, press C", then "leave the current file system intact (no changes)", then (see picture) what do I do, press L? I don't want 2 different installations, but I don't want all the programs deleted either.

    I would guess I would just press L, and I know Microsoft seems to attempt to trick us in its wording, and its not setup very well, but I'm nervous with that "all files ... will be deleted ..." thing.
  • yaggayagga Havn't you heard? ... New
    edited July 2004
    DAMN! I HIT L!!!

    I had a friend coming over to play UT2004 and I hit L before I left to pick him up and it took me like 30 minutes to finish, plus I had to install sound drivers, video drivers, and the game again. (*30 minutes total about).

    I recalled there was a way, but maybe I remember the "repair windows" which brings me to the repair console. Time for another couple of fun installation days!!! WOO HOOOOO~~~!!!!!!!

    Is there a real way to repair XP? I don't know why it would be much easier/only available on Windows ME and previous!
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited July 2004
    Yeah you don't hit L you continue on with a normal installation and it'll get you to a prompt that detects an existing windows install and asks you if you want to repair it. It doesn't delete everything.
  • yaggayagga Havn't you heard? ... New
    edited July 2004
    so i would press escape? It seems like it wouldn't overwrite it. I did try to find the true repair screen but no luck.
  • kryystkryyst Ontario, Canada
    edited July 2004
    pressing esc will set windows up in another folder probably windows.000 by default. There should be another option to do a repair....I'll have to go through it and take a look it's been so long since I've had to do an XP repair that I've forgotten the exact screen presses.

    Actually one question is this an actual windows XP cd or is this say the Windows XP cd that came with a pre-built system like a Compaq/dell/gateway etc... If it is you are probably not using a Windows XP CD, but instead are dealing with a Recovery CD in which case the typical Windows Repair may not be an option for you.
  • yaggayagga Havn't you heard? ... New
    edited July 2004
    it definitely is retail/oem bought, not from a prebuilt. I say retail/oem, because I have one of each. I only tried one though since M$ won't let me put the same damn copy on both machines!!!!! EVIL!!!!!!

    As I recall, recovery cds from manufacturers don't let you reinstall windows, if your windows goes bad they leave you on your own, because there recovery thing only works in windows to restore to how the buyer bought it, but does not fix windows problems, just cleans up the users mess, in a way.
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