Anybody ever use the "repair" option?

I used to be computer-literate in the DOS through Win'98 days...

On a corrupt XP install that will not boot, there is the option to boot from the CD and select "repair ". I tried this the other day, but all I got was a "C:\Windows>" prompt. Typing help /p brought up a list of files, which I know NOTHING about. After a good head scratch (or two), I elected to reinstall and overwrite my corrupted version and reinstall my software. I guess I was expecting some program on the CD to inspect the installation on the hard drive and repair it. Is there a trick or two here?

TIA!

Russ

 

The repair in XP is such a good thing that I have used it in place of a system restore. It does a very good job of fixing things without damaging any files or installed programs.

You were on the right track. The Recovery Console repair is useful, if you know how to use it, when you have a specific problem, like a damaged boot sector.

What you should have done is to skip the first repair option (no "R" press) and just continued with your installation. After you accept the license by pressing F8, setup searches for existing installations of Windows. By following the onscreen instructions and pressing "R" at this point, your current installation will be repaired.

 

Repair install

Abraxas has it right - and it took mea few abortive efforts and finally a helpdesk call to make it work.

I think the documentation/prompts are confusing - it is not at all clear that you have to skip to the next screen.

The operation is a treat, however. I successfully repaired my system which had somehow lost its help function - probably as the result of an uninstall operation.

J

 

i had the same problem a week ago, someone gave me the link to what to do to fix it using the repair console. if u wanna chek it out go find my post on the 9th of may in this (windows xp) topic

 

Lots of good information on using the XP recovery console to be found on the Microsoft Online help site. Use advanced, pick XP, Recovery Console in the search box, and the option to require all words for the search.

 

Anybody ever use th "repair" option?

What are the Repair Option and the Recovery Console referred to in this thread? I went to the MS Online Help re Recovery Console, as Newt suggested, but couldn't make out whether it's something that has to be downloaded separately or is some (well hidden) part of XP.

Are they the same or is one part of the other or what? The comment by Abraxas on using "the repair" in XP instead of System Restore interested me, but I couldn't find any reference to such a function in any manual.

Thanks for any help.

 

The so-called "Repair Installation" is described here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

The Recovery Console is reachable by booting from the XP CD and reading the prompts. It can also be installed on your hard drive as one of the boot options (described in Help and Support).

All the commands in the RC can be seen by typing Help. It is a DOS-like environment.

 

Anybpdy ever use the "repair" option?

Thanks, abraxas, for your quick response. Unfortunately I've had no luck with the link you gave for the "Repair Installation ". All I get is instructions for installing XP as an upgrade...

 

Hi, Queuedecoton ~

If you read the article, the very first line beneath 'Summary'


"This article explains how to perform an in-place upgrade, or reinstallation, of Windows XP. This is also called a repair installation. "

 

"Repair" option

Oh. I didn't read the article; was put off by the title. Thanks.

 

I.ve saved both the Repair Option and Recovery Console articles, and will read them carefully. Thanks.