How to do a repair installation of Windows XP
By qradav
@qradav (154)
Philippines
November 30, 2007 8:36am CST
this is a simple how to. doing this method will be helpful in events like virus infection or system file corruption.
This method will not delete any files in your system, it will just restore back default system files. settings are also preserved.
What you need to do this is just a bootable Windows XP setup disk (preferably a CD)
1. change your boot priority to boot via cd first before your hdd
2. reboot and insert your bootable windows xp setup disc
3. wait for the welcome screen
4. press ENTER, DO NOT choose the option "To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console"
5. accept license agreement
6. setup will now list the windows operating system/s found on your hard drive. select the one you want to repair (mostly it will be C:\windows)then press R (repair)
7. follow any prompts and thats it
after windows loads normally, it is strongly advised that you do not connect to the internet right away. install service pack 2 first to avoid being infected with worms like ms blast and sasser
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Ruibinha (157)
• Portugal
30 Nov 07
I had to format my computer last week. It was saying that some of my windows files were corrupted or missing. I did exactly what you said, and it didn't helped me. I needed to do format. Anyways, now this is clean.
I think repairing is good, if you have lots of data files, important documents. But i guess nothing "win" format. It just make things clean, virus (where they went? ... PUFFF disappeared). I don't like to format, but it is always good if we have a virus zoo in your pc (lol)
@qradav (154)
• Philippines
30 Nov 07
thats where computer forums come in. reformat should only be last resort. computer forums and even here, you can start a discussion about your virus problem. People can give you advice on how to fix the problem. its such a hassle to reinstall everything and worse is getting all the files lost. some are lost forever and can no longer be retrieved if you do reformat so its such a big loss sometimes.
you might also want to check out my other discussion on tips on how to protect your computer :)
@Ruibinha (157)
• Portugal
30 Nov 07
But that's the problem, i couldn't start windows neither in normal, safe mode. The last good configuration didn't worked too, so i couldn't come here asking for help.
When typed r in the repair function, appeared me a "command window", like ms-dos i guess, so i entered chkdsk and chkdsk /r. It was saying that my files were corrupted.
It was always going to page that some of my windows files were corrupted / missing, i couldn't do much. I guess my windows was all messed up.
@qradav (154)
• Philippines
26 Feb 08
yes most people do reformat right away, even computer technicians suggest reformat immediately (the lazy ones). This tip is designed to let people know that there are things you can try first before you do a reformat. Reformat should only be a last option when all else fails :)
@ravibabli (1557)
• India
30 Nov 07
Ya very good which you have mentioned some point of installation windwos xp
Thanks
