Xp Reinstall W/out Formating

[zman]

FIRST COMPUTER WOULDN'T TURN OFF BY ITS SELF,NOW WHEN I TRY TO BOOT UP IT SAID CAN NOT FIND WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM BUT I PUT HD IN ANOTHER SYSTEM AND IT WAS THERE. IS THERE A WAY TO REINSTALL WIN XP WITH OUT LOSING ALL MY STUFF OR DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX IT? ON WIN 98 YOU COULD REINSTALL CAB FILES IN DOS TO FIX IT
THANKS!

 

[Deadlifter]

If you can actually get into Windows, then simply load the XP CD into the CD drive and let it re-install. You'll get an "overlay" install and XP will have fixed itself without blowing away anything else on the drive you installed it to. Works just like 98SE in that regard.

If not, and you've got a bootable CD, you can boot into the CD and select the "repair" option to get an overlay install.

 

[zman]

I CAN'T GET INTO WINDOWS AND I TRY TO RECOVER, IT JUST REBOOTS AND SAYS THE SAME THING

 

[David]

Are you overclocked?

PS Please turn the caps lock off - it is very difficult to read TEXT LIKE THIS. Thank you.

 

[zman]

Sorry
no it's not overclocked.

 

[David]

Sorry
no it's not overclocked.

So it wont boot? When it says can't find ...blah...blah... is this on a blue screen? What exactly happens when you try to repair? Does the system just reboot without doing anything?

Try getting into safe mode. As XP boots try repeatedly pressing F8 until you gt a little boot menu. Choose 'safe mode'. Does this work?

 

[zman]

It comes up to the repair screen,it says to press R to repair.I press R then it reboots and starts from XP cd. It loads files then ask which windows would you like to log to.one only have one so I press one (the only option it gives)and it come up to a kinda dos screen c:\windows If I selet setup it wants to install another windows I just want to fix the one I have
Thanks

 

[David]

It comes up to the repair screen,it says to press R to repair.I press R then it reboots and starts from XP cd. It loads files then ask which windows would you like to log to.one only have one so I press one (the only option it gives)and it come up to a kinda dos screen c:\windows If I selet setup it wants to install another windows I just want to fix the one I have
Thanks

I have never done a repair, I don't know what is meant to happen. Have you tried booting into safe mode?

 

[zman]

F8 at boot up just lets you boot from floppy,c:,cd,or network
There is no safe mode on XP or if there is I don't know where it is but I don't think that would work anyway because it's looking for windows system file which it can't find
Thanks!

 

[David]

F8 at boot up just lets you boot from floppy,c:,cd,or network
There is no safe mode on XP or if there is I don't know where it is but I don't think that would work anyway because it's looking for windows system file which it can't find
Thanks!

On my version of XP Pro, and on my friends XP Home, pressing F8 will allow you to choose safe mode.

 

[zman]

For some reason I just have the 4 boot options and when select one it said can't find windows\system32

looks like format time huh!

 

[David]

For some reason I just have the 4 boot options and when select one it said can't find windows\system32

looks like format time huh!

Well I'm stumped
Looks like something is missing from the install

Try a reinstall.

 

[M@€$†®Ö™]

For some reason I just have the 4 boot options and when select one it said can't find windows\system32

looks like format time huh!

From reading this thread that sounds like the only altrenative as missing files is tough to overcome in the situation you describe. Personally a format is the easiet and assured solution IMHO.

Maestro