PLEASE HELP, windows wont boot

Browntoa

this shows the repiar install with pictures

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

Browntoa

How to Repair Install: ***Also removes Service Packs***
Sometimes the only way to repair XP is to reinstall. You do not have to wipe your partition and start over. Just as with previous versions of Windows you can reinstall right over top of an existing setup. This has the advantage of retaining your installed applications, data and settings. You will lose previously saved System Restore Points but System Restore will begin creating new restore points again immediately following the Repair Install. You will need to reinstall SP2 and any Critical Updates from the Windows Update Site. Be aware that a Repair Install will leave your system vulnerable to the Blaster and Welchia worms. Do not go on line until you have enabled XP's firewall first. Then visit the Windows Update Site to patch your system It is always prudent to backup important data before you make changes to XP.
There are two approaches. The first one should be used if you can still boot to your Windows Desktop. Simply pop the XP CD into the CD-Rom drive and select Install->Upgrade[recommended]. This will install XP overtop of itself in the same way as upgrading from a previous setup. However if your version is an OEM version then you will not have this option. If you do not see the option to Upgrade[recommended] DO NOT choose New Install as that will either overwrite your current setup completely or give you a dual boot setup. Also if you have an older version of XP and have upgraded to a new service pack you will get a message stating that a newer version of Windows was found and you will not be able to run the Upgrade. Create a Slipstream version to solve this problem
If you cannot boot to the Desktop, or you have an OEM version of XP, or you want to remove a service pack then the following should be used to complete a Repair Install.
Boot with the Windows XP CD and at the Setup Screen press the Enter Key

You will be taken to the Windows XP Licensing Agreement. After reading the agreement press F8 to proceed.

The next screen gives you the option to do a fresh (clean) install or to repair the selected Windows XP installation.

To run a Repair Install Press "R" at this time.


***CAUTION*** if you do not see the option to repair the selected Windows XP installation DO NOT choose the option to continue installing a fresh copy without repairing as that will overwrite your data and cause unrecoverable data loss.

Browntoa

Windows XP will copy the necessary files to your Hard Drive to begin the installation and will then reboot. You will see the message that informs you to "Press any key to boot the CD". Do not press any keys this time just wait a few seconds and the Windows Startup Screen will be displayed. Following this you will be greeted by the Windows XP Setup Screens.



When Setup has completed you should find all of your previously installed apps and settings are intact.

pennypinchingmum

hi, i do not see the option to repair my installation. when i ran chkdsk check disk it stated that i had one or more errors on the volume. I've read somehwere that you can create a seperate partition to place a new windows on and then look for anyfiles nce you have windows up and running. Anyone got any info on this. Thanks for all your help so far, i just wish the bloody thing would work.

spakkker

If you don't give better info then you are going for the shotgun method, eg. pc or laptop, when did problem start, any hardware changes?-any software changes?
Can you not put your h/d into another working pc? You did say you wanted to save data.
The repair option is not worth trying.

pennypinchingmum

Hi, thanks all for your help, I managed to fix it using the recovery console. It took a great deal of reading and time and efoort but i got there in the end. I managed to isolate the problem and delete it. What i would say is that no matter what problem you have you should really have a go at fixing it, I know this seems to run against alot of advice in various forums (not this one) but i would of lost all my documents and photos if i had just given up. so do a little reading ask for help and eventually you will get there.