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Windows wont boot

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by dleonr, 2008/03/18.

  1. 2008/03/18
    dleonr

    dleonr Inactive Thread Starter

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    Is it possible to install windows XP over an existing windows XP installation? I don't want to do a windows repair but I don't want to format the drive for a clean install. Is it possible to do this without loosing too many files?
    Thanks in advance.:confused:
     
  2. 2008/03/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    That is what a Repair install does. A repair install should not lose any of your files, but as always a backup of your data is advisable.

    Would you like to pad out some detail on your starting problems and let us know if you have a full install CD or a Recovery CD.
     

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  4. 2008/03/19
    dleonr

    dleonr Inactive Thread Starter

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    I do have a full install CD but it can do both.
    Problem started when I tried using the computer and for some reason, it would only reach to the XP logo screen with the little blue bars going constantly accross and would not go any further. I could access window only in safe mode. Then I used a CD called Power Suite 2007 from Spotmau and it havd a utility called windows recovery. With that I could access the windows and everything looked ok, then I realized that a lot of files were corrupted and window will not shut down normaly, I have to use the off button on the tower to shut it down.
    So I felt I had to repair windows. I used the CD and when it prompt me if to rapair click "R ", every thing seems to be going well, then the install or repair asked for a cd with VIAAGP1.SYS. I don't have a cd with that on it, so I continued with the installation, when the computer got to where it had reboot, I got the screen with the XP logo again, only this time the screen went away and the monitor stayed black. I waited for about 5 minute and noticed that it was not going anywhere. I am trying to format the drive and do a clean install because I have a tremendous amount of phots that I can not afford to lose. Need you to know that the HHD is partitioned, so, can I format just the drive c: and leave drive d: intact? I have never formated a partition before
    Any help will be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks for the help in advance.
     
    Last edited: 2008/03/19
  5. 2008/03/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    A Recovery CD contains a mirror (drive image) of the system as supplied and invoking that wipes the drive - including any partitions you have made and all data is lost. A retail CD allows for a Repair and also access to the Recovery Console as well as a clean install.

    Your motherboard has a Via chipset by the sounds of it - VIAAGP1.SYS is the driver for the AGP graphics slot and is part of the chipset drivers which you should find on the motherboard CD.

    The whole object of partitioning a drive with the OS on one partition and data on the other(s) is that the C:\ drive can be formatted without affecting the other partitions.

    Follow the instructions below to make a clean install of Windows .....
     
  6. 2008/03/19
    dleonr

    dleonr Inactive Thread Starter

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    You have been a great help. Think I am going to take the format partition option, since all the file I want saved is on the D: drive.
    Thanks again for your help.
     
  7. 2008/03/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Good luck - I hope you won't need it :)
     
  8. 2008/03/19
    dleonr

    dleonr Inactive Thread Starter

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    PeteC, everything went fine. I only have one little problem, nothing in compare to what I was in. After everything is setup and running I noticed that one of DVDRom and my Zip drive did not install because windows could not find drivers for them. They are connected to an IDE controller, I thought the mini CD I have had the drivers on it but windows can't find it on the cd. Do you know where I could find generic drivers for the IDE controller. I have it connected to a PCI slot.
    You have been a great help and I am breathing much easier now.
     

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