How would you do a system recovery on your PC powered by widow XP?

there are different ways to recover Windows XP... you can recover it using Recovery Console and type the command depends on what is missing on your OS, recover it by using Repair on Windows XP CD... but if PC has been damage enough by a virus i will recommend you're going to install a fresh Windows by reformatting it... but if you are worried about your files there are lots of recovery files software install it after reformatting your pc and then you can recover your important files ... and next time you do a reformatting install or application you are going to use and try to back up your Local Drive that has an Operating Windows on, use Acronis or Norton Ghost...

If windows XP does not boot, you can use the windows disk to try to repair with the recovery console: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery_Console Or you can try a repair of the windows installation without loose any configuration or files.

Just like all systems recovery is possible. Most compnies provide an option of restoring the system with, or without a disc. However, it can be difficult if your system crashed. Of course it would depend on the crash type. Each type is different. And, most require base knowledge of Dos, which is the backbone behind all systems. Using dos you would have to find and repair the broken windows files that tend to "hide" during a crash. Without exat details aiding you in this is a bit difficult.

I think you have Cd installer of windows xp that you can boot and enter fresh xp. You can see repair xp to restore the crash out. If doesn't work another way is I used another good computer that works, get the IDE of cdroom connection & attach my hardisk temporarily as slave hardisk. Whatever problem will repair instantly by good computer because he is master hardisk, all the problem on Windows XP resolve.

Use your XP CD to boot. Open a console and go to the subdirectory i386 in your CD. Type "winnt32 /unattend" The bad files on your computer will be replaced by the CD files, without changing the configuration of your softwares. You will have to reinstall the service packs not present in your CD (at least SP3).