re-installing XP

Just spent 3 long days re-installing windowsXP.
First time i messed up. So i had to start over
including FDisk and format C:

A single file (NTLDR) was the cause of this reinstall.
Apparently this is a fatal error for XP because i couldn't
boot up into anything, not even DOS.

Good thing i had all my stuff backed up on an
external HD. Including NTLDR!

My question is: Is there something else i could have done
instead of a full install?

And 1 more if i may, If i have a backup (export) of the registry,
as in "reg050604-1934" (Date and Time) what is the correct
procedure to put it back in? Just an import, assuming you can
get to the HD. Is a special naming convention required?

thanks,
clif

 

The fix in the "Resolution" section in this MS KB article, is for the same problem although a different cause and should work. It has for me, anyway.

 

Let me try that again!

Great! So simple once its known. Could have saved myself 3 days of work.

Next time, for sure.

Thanks, Miz.
clif

 

ERUNT - dont sound so simple to me. I just read the detailed info.

Simple to me would be to put in a CD (or floppy) and let autorun do its
thing then make a selection of what you want to do (DOS, Safe mode, etc).