Suggestions for Repairing XP;

Im Running xp pro i have lost windows explorer will the repair option fix this or will i have to completly reformat.

Many Thanks

Eric

 

Zephyr,

As I understand it, NTFS offers better security, compression, etc. and cannot use a DOS boot disk, but XP using the FAT32 file system can use a DOS boot and read data.

I believe there is one command to convert FAT to NTFS, but the reverse is difficult if not impossible. I don't believe a reinstallation is necessary to go NTFS.

XP has enhanced security features, so to fully utilize what XP has to offer, it would be wise to go to NTFS at the expense of DOS.

 

I didn't see any mention of using the Recovery Consol - "last known good" option.

 

Recently from the Dell factory the PC I rec'd has 31 MB basic FAT, EISA configuration, on the primary partition. The other partition is basic NTFS. I am not sure this is optimization for performance nor do I know the significance with putting FAT on the primary (startup).

 

Ken, I advised them to do that some time ago. I'm glad to hear that they have responded.

 

Zephyr,

I quess what I was attempting to do was to tie the O/S configuration I have into a possible explanation in response to your comment. You apparently accept the dual FS, but made the recent comment:

With the conventional Win98SE boot disk, I was and I am still able to access NTFS and/or FAT formatted partitions on my disk? Eighteen files are loaded, all options are available. From the "A" prompt, one can scan, format and reinstall if XP has malfunctioned You may not have taken relevant circumstances into consideration.

 

Ken, I'll stick with what I said. You are not seeing any NTFS files while booted to a conventional Win98 boot disk. That simply isn't possible. You are seeing the FAT32 file system that your particular Windows OS was installed on, thanks to someone who had good sense. You are also seeing any utilities that your boot disk provides.

 

I agree in regard to NTFS. But the interaction with the primary partition via 98SE boot disk enables one to some repair and or reinstall XP. Recommended: 31 MB for FAT and the remainder for a NTFS. Did your new HP have a different configuration?

BTW, did you contact HP regarding their proprietary recovery software and the problems associated with their procedures?

___________
There is software available to read NTFS using DOS, 98, and ME

 

Yes, my HP did indeedcome with a different configuration. It has a single physical drive with a single 40 Gig Partition on it (not counting the hidden diagnostic/restore partition) and it was formatted with the NTFS file system.

Yes I did. They stated that if the HDD should ever fail, I would be allowed to purchase a set of Restore Disks from them that would allow me to install XP on a replacement drive. If it failed under warranty, I was told it would be necessary to send it back to them for service.
I have since invested in third party software that will insure that I do not have to deal with HP in such a case. I don't much care for being hamstrung with HP as my only recourse. I'll do as I always do with OEM setups, after the last warranty expires, their hidden partition will be slicked off the drive and I'll set it up for my own purposes. It's quite easy with good imaging software and a Partition Table editor.

The key word there is READ. You can get a free download that allows reading of NTFS files from a dos prompt, but if you need to write you'll need to kick down $300 for that option. You'll do precious little repair work in the Read only mode.

I prefer to image the drive with something like PQ Drive Image or Novastor Instant recovery and leave HP out of the loop.

 

Thanks for the interesting info.

You are correct. I may have made some incorrect assumptions based on an incomplete verification procedure. After booting I am limited to internal commands, but the boot disk included a cab file containing "disk maintenance programs" however, it appears the utilities are not accessible from the "A" prompt??

One can add the freeware "NTFS reader for DOS" to a boot disk, and I was aware the write utility was not free!...$300 Half the price of a new HP