Suggestions for Repairing XP;

What steps would this forum suggest for repairing a damaged version of XP that was running fine at one time??

Sequence of events, one thru what-ever !!!

Ossa

 

Might work

This might work for you.

This is all relevant to XP Pro.

If youre still on fat32:

Forget the crappy xp startup disks.

Boot using a win98 boot disk. Go to your i386 files directory. (My setup files are on the hdd under C:\xp - basically the root cd files plus the i386 dir). Go to the i386 dir and run winnt.exe - initiate an install and it will prompt you for location of the install files with in my case c:\xp\i386 - follow it through to the point where you can choose to upgrade/clean install and somewhere about there your should get a repair option for existing, choose it and it will initiate the latter part of the install process for setting up xp and hey presto youre back in!

If youre running NTFS not sure if this might work:

Boot using the 6 startup disks for xp, if you dont have them a download file for creating them can be found on microsoft site or I'm told there is a file to create them on the XP cd, never looked for it yet.

Change directory to the i386 directory if its on your hard disk and run winnt.exe from there, if you only have the installs on cd I'm not sure if you can access it from the repair console.

Or, if you can boot from CD do so and if you get the upgrade option in the installer use that, so far I've seen it preserve an existing XP config.

 

Sounds like a good idea if they/we/us had the CD on the HD somewhere but haven't seen anyone yet that did.

How about running sfc/scannow or something from the repair console ??

Thx for the suggestion and reply, maybe some day MS with have a sequence of of things for us to do when errors happen or if we can't even get into safe mode or what-ever.

ossa

 

If it were running fine at one time as stated, restore your system files to that period of time using the restore feature of XP.

In the event windows fails completely, I believe it is still possible to get into DOS with XP as the O/S and format, scan, reinstall, etc.

 

I was Thinking More Along These Lines;

Don't assume the worse, like format and reinstall.... Start with minor problems like wierd messages at boot but the OS continues to operate AND then goto (maybe) lockups and etc. and etc.

Assuming DM hasn't any conflicts and minor problems as mentioned:
(First) method:
(Second) method:

and etc...etc...

 

I ran into the same problem my self last weekend, where I had somehow corrupted some of my system files. I was no longer able to access the Help & Suport Center, add new users, or access the System Information program. Using System Restore was of no success.

Here is the fix that worked for me using Windows XP home addition, which was preinstalled on a Gateway 500X system.

From the Start menu, click Run.

In the run dialog box, open box type cmd and click OK

At the command prompt type del /a /f c:\winnt\system32 \undo_guimode.txt

If the message Could not find C:\Winnt\System32\Undo_guimode.txt is displayed then file was not on your system.

For additional information about why the preceding step is necessary, refer to Microsoft TechNet article Q312369 available at;

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q312369

Type EXIT and press ENTER to return to windows.

Now put your Windows XP Operating System CD in the drive and reboot the computer. During startup a message will appear on the screen that tells you if you want to start from the CD press any key.

After pressing a key Windows XP Setup prepares to run. Once this is done you will see a "Welcome to Setup" screen with the following three options;

1. To setup Windows XP now, press enter
2. To repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console, press R.
3. To Quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

One would naturally think that beings Windows XP is already loaded on the system that you would select #2 by pressing R, but that would be to easy wouldn't it. If you do select R you are taken to a screen that asks for an administrators password, you would think that this was your password beings you have administrative rights, but again that would be to easy wouldn't it.

After trying several different things in an effort to get the program to recognize a password I finally rebooted the computer again, started from the CD and selected option #1 "To setup Windows XP now, press enter "

After making this selection the program collected information about my system and current installation and loaded the necessary setup files.

The Windows XP Home Edition Setup screen appears. Verify that the correct partition is selected. (In my case I only have one partition on a 40GB drive, so there was no question about what to select. If your drive is partitioned you will have to know on which partition the operating system resides.)

Press the Enter key to set up Windows XP on the selected item.

The End User License Agreement should appear. Press the F8 key to accept the EULA.

Windows Setup then detects a previous installation of Windows XP, Press the R key to repair the installation.

A setup screen appears briefly stating that Setup is examining the hard-drive.

The Windows XP Home Edition Setup screen shows the progress of the copying.

Setup initializes the Windows XP configuration.

The Windows XP Home Edition Setup screen shows that this portion of setup is complete. Leave the operating system CD in the drive and press ENTER to restart the computer or wait until the computer restarts automatically.

When the computer restarts you may see the message again "To start from the CD press any key ", but DO NOT press any keys. Alllow the computer to restart uniterrupted. If you were to press a key the process outlined here starts all over again.

When the computer restarts Windows reaches the Installing Windows phase. If you are asked to accept the agreement again do so, and then click NEXT.

Setup starts and continues various file copying tasks. While doing this you should be presented with the regional and language option boxes, make appropriate selections and then click NEXT.

You will then be asked for your Name, the Name of your company or organization, if applicable enter the appropriate information in these boxes and click NEXT.

If necessary, type the name of your computer or accept the default option, and then click NEXT.

Type the correct modem dialing information, and then click next. (I entered nothing at this step, as I was going to manually enter the information later, but following repair I noted that my old settings had been retained - Good for me.)

Check the date and time settings, and make corrections as needed and then click NEXT. (Again, I did not have to do anything at this step as the information was already correct).

If a Network card is installed in your system, the Network settings screen may appear. Select Typical Settings and then click NEXT. (Note After Windows XP is installed, use the Network Wizard to finalize your network settings.)

Windows Setup continues copying files.

The computer may reboot again, if so you will again see the message "To start from the CD press any key ". Again, DO NOT press a key, allow the computer to restart uniterrupted.

The Display Settings dialog box will appear, click OK
(Note: This dialog box and the following Monitor Settings dialog box may not appear, depending on the video configuration of your system).

If the Monitor Settings dialog box does appear click OK.

Setup should now return to a Windows environment with a Welcome Screen. Click NEXT.

On the HOW WILL THIS COMPUTER CONNECT TO THE INTERNET screen, click SKIP. Use the Internet Connection Wizard once the installation is completed if needed. (In my case the repair did not affect my previous settings and they were retained, so I did not have to use the wizard).

Windows Setup then prompts you to register online. Registration is optional. If you do not want to reister now, select NOT AT THIS TIME, and then click NEXT. If you do choose to register at this time, registration information is collected and sent to Microsoft.

If a modem is installed, Windows Setup may prompt you to set up Internet access now. Select NO, NOT AT THIS TIME and then click NEXT.

Windows Setup then asks who is going to be using this computer. The user names typed here appear in alphabetical order. (At this stage, I typed the user name I had used when I originally setup my system, and following the repair I noted that all of my User Settings had been retained retained).

Windows Setup then chanes to the desktop and briefly displays a Welcome Screen,

The Windows XP Home Desktop should appear. The repair installation is finished.

From start to finish it took roughly 35 to 40 minutes to go through this process. I am happy to report that following repair I was able to access all of the items that had previously been corrupted, and with the exception of having to reset my Screen Resolution, all the other settings I had made to my system prior to noting the corruption were retained. Also retained were all of the other software that I had previously loaded on my system.

Hope this works for you and gets you back where you were. Lord knows there nothing more frustrating than a system that decides it no longer wants to work.

 

"Rod ", that explanation is Great and the kind of thing WE can all use and want.

It makes one wonder why MS is making it So masterly tricky to repair XP. Why couldn't they just have a command at boot to repair or replace missing or corrupted files....something like we did back in the W95 days.

I wish the others would chime in with there special repair experiences using XP cos we all could benefit.....

Thanks Again Rod, for Taking the Time to Help Everyone...

Ossa

 

There are two different circumstances discussed: Corrupt system files and a complete system failure.

There certainly can be a malfunction of the restoration feature in XP. But short of that situation I believe R/S will replace corrupt files with pre-dated uncorrupt files.

A complete system failure with the inability to access any system files would require a different approach. I believe in XP the disc operating system can be utilized using with the W98 SUD to load DOS and then perform the necessary functions from the command prompt. There is a command prompt within the XP environment, but that would be of no help if one could not get into the XP operating system.

 

Yes KenKeith, I think we're slowly getting there. My thinking was to go from a minimal error message to a full blown repair.

Example; my neighbor works for a top puter company as a phone tech and according to him, they say to reinstall everything 99% of the time even if it's not ness. just to move on to the next call because if they don't handle a certain number of calls every hour....there in trouble and as i understand it, thats common.


I think this is a great forum for laying out our experiences so others just don't jump on the old format-reinstall band wagon at the slightest error message, don't you agree??

Later
Ossa

 

Your referrence is solving the problem by the "shotgun" method. A business in their own self- interest values their time more than saving the consumer money. Barring the exception. It is a business decision and a common business practice that prevails if the consumer doesn't push for a more economic solution...the consumer has some responsibility for the service they receive.

On the other hand, the "shotgun" method may be the most practical solution for everyone's best interest. The consumer should ask questions and make their own decision. They are in control; its their money.

 

ossa,

Your referrence is solving the problem by the "shotgun" method. A business in their own self- interest values their time more than saving the consumer money. Barring the exception. It is a business decision and a common business practice that prevails if the consumer doesn't push for a more economic solution...the consumer has some responsibility for the service they receive.

On the other hand, the "shotgun" method may be the most practical solution for everyone's best interest. The consumer should ask questions and make their own decision. They are in control; its their money.

 

Reinstall

Ossa, your neighbour is correct, most of the time companies insist on a reinstall, its the most ecenomical use of time for them. Those call centre staff make or break by the clock, its a rotten environment to work in, I know.

Thats why image/reload discs are so common, the customer can be given a boot disk to initiate it without even a return of the pc, thats why we try to impress upon users the importance of backups but hardly anyone ever does

I personally have a whole hdd which I use to make ghost backups to regularly, but thats a bit extreme for most peoples budgets.

Sometimes you have to kill windows because its too far gone, but often its repairable.

 

I shouldn't have mentioned anyones company polices but I think we all know about how that scenario goes...
I also use PQ's drive image and ghost for BU's to HD's and CD's...

I think we're more concerned with what we can do on our own when things happen. Well, that's the reason for my starting the thread.

Continue....please!!!

 

I lost the help and solution centre after installing Easycleaner (known bug but solution on web-site didn't work). No other XP problems

I ran the repair method referred to in this thread (Windows XP Pro though, not Home) . It ran ok but didn't fix the problem. Does anyone know the registry entry to edit please

 

More repair problems

Also, I ran sfc.exe and now, every time I reboot, Windows System File Checker Tool which uses this file starts, asks for the Windows xp cd. Unless it is cancelled immediately it runs and takes ages to go through its routine (5 minutes at least). I've renamed the file which is in WINNT\System32 to no effect as a replacement is created on rebooting!

How can I stop this please?

 

OK guys, rest easy - I've solved both problems since posting Thanks anyway.

 

why not share how or what yu did to fix what-ever to help others ??

Anyway, glad you got it fixed....

 

Just waiting to be asked!

To fix the help file issue I reinstalled XP over previous version. 40 minutes, no hassle, all settings and programs ok.

I got no reply to my request for the method to resolve the matter.

XP users DO NOT use Easyclean until this acknowledged bug is fixed.


To fix the File protection issue I ran via command prompt (full path needed) c:\Winnt\system32\sfc.exe /revert which resets the protection checker to default

 

I must add that an earlier post suggested that you could fix XP problems by booting with a Win98 disk and making repairs. That generally won't work. Most XP systems will be installed on NTFS formatted partitions and those won't be accessible from a conventional boot disk.

If you ever have occasion to re-install XP, I would suggest placing it on a FAT32 partition for easier access when needed. Make that partition large enough to hold all other installed programs as well [I use 32Gigs]. Then, if you still want the other features that NTFS provides, create a separate NTFS partition for your personal files. With that method, you can image the boot drive and use the image for a full restore, without having to re-install any programs. Then also, that allows you to backup your personal files partition using imaging software without having the burden of all the OS and program files.

Works well for me.

 

Repair Windows XP Home

Hi,
I think I may have posted in the wrong place so here it is again:


(edit note from Newt - you posted in the right place so I'm removing the contents from here to avoid folks placing answers to the same question in different places. Too confusing when that happens.)