Basic - Re-Installing XP (repair)

G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Hello,

I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage and
I am now confronted with the following

C:\WINDOWS>

Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.

Please Help.

Thanks, Dave
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

"DaveG" <DaveG@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:41FD94F6-1E06-4A08-94BE-1610E0BFC11A@microsoft.com
> Hello,
>
> I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage
> and
> I am now confronted with the following
>
> C:\WINDOWS>
>
> Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.
>
> Please Help.
>
> Thanks, Dave

Repair Installation of WinXP:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

you have selected the windows recoveryconsole
by pressing the 'R' key. recovery console is used
to fix windows boot errors, mbr errors, edit services etc.
but you can't reinstall windows using that. to do a reinatll
first boot from ur win xp cd. in the setup selection screen
press enter(do not press 'R'). in the next stage windows will
search for previous installations of windows and will find and
will list in the next screen. you can select your windows and
then press enter. reinatllation will start then.
DaveG wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage and
> I am now confronted with the following
>
> C:\WINDOWS>
>
> Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.
>
> Please Help.
>
> Thanks, Dave
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I have followed your instructions, but its NOT installing, its saying the
following:

To install XP on the partition you slected, setup must write some startup
files to the following disk: Unknown Disk
However, this disk does not contain a XP compatible partition.

To continue installing XP, return to the partition selection screen and
create a XP compatible partition on the disk above.

Does this mean anything to you, and can it be sorted.

I have returned to the screen before and pressed 'C' but nothing as happened.

It looks like I may have accidentally started to install XP on a new folder
(windows1), is this what is causing the problem and is there a way around
this?

"Free Net Jobs" wrote:

> you have selected the windows recoveryconsole
> by pressing the 'R' key. recovery console is used
> to fix windows boot errors, mbr errors, edit services etc.
> but you can't reinstall windows using that. to do a reinatll
> first boot from ur win xp cd. in the setup selection screen
> press enter(do not press 'R'). in the next stage windows will
> search for previous installations of windows and will find and
> will list in the next screen. you can select your windows and
> then press enter. reinatllation will start then.
> DaveG wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage and
> > I am now confronted with the following
> >
> > C:\WINDOWS>
> >
> > Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.
> >
> > Please Help.
> >
> > Thanks, Dave
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I'm not sure of exactly what you've done from this post but below are the
instructions for a repair install and it does not require the Recovery
Console:

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

Note, in some cases, you won't receive the repair option, only an option to
reinstall. We have discovered that sometimes this is caused by damaged
boot.ini file that can be repaired as follows and also note, in the
instructions, "K" refers to the CD drive in which you have placed the XP CD,
replace that drive letter with the appropriate letter on your system, "K" is
simply an example.

Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option (this is the section I told
you to skip above. In this case, you will need to get to the Recovery
Console to perform the function below), and if the CD letter is say K: give
these commands

COPY K:\i386\ntldr C:
COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:
(two other files needed - just in case)
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini
DEL C:\boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild

Once you've completed this function, reboot and see if you can access XP as
sometimes, the problem is the damaged boot.ini. If you still cannot access
XP, then reboot and re-run the repair install instructions at the beginning
of this message.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform the
above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.


--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/


"DaveG" <DaveG@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A09A3A5C-07D9-445F-98C1-8569BD9A94DE@microsoft.com...
>I have followed your instructions, but its NOT installing, its saying the
> following:
>
> To install XP on the partition you slected, setup must write some startup
> files to the following disk: Unknown Disk
> However, this disk does not contain a XP compatible partition.
>
> To continue installing XP, return to the partition selection screen and
> create a XP compatible partition on the disk above.
>
> Does this mean anything to you, and can it be sorted.
>
> I have returned to the screen before and pressed 'C' but nothing as
> happened.
>
> It looks like I may have accidentally started to install XP on a new
> folder
> (windows1), is this what is causing the problem and is there a way around
> this?
>
> "Free Net Jobs" wrote:
>
>> you have selected the windows recoveryconsole
>> by pressing the 'R' key. recovery console is used
>> to fix windows boot errors, mbr errors, edit services etc.
>> but you can't reinstall windows using that. to do a reinatll
>> first boot from ur win xp cd. in the setup selection screen
>> press enter(do not press 'R'). in the next stage windows will
>> search for previous installations of windows and will find and
>> will list in the next screen. you can select your windows and
>> then press enter. reinatllation will start then.
>> DaveG wrote:
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage
>> > and
>> > I am now confronted with the following
>> >
>> > C:\WINDOWS>
>> >
>> > Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.
>> >
>> > Please Help.
>> >
>> > Thanks, Dave
>>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Sounds like a corrupted system partition. The only real solution is often to
delete it and create a new one. Unless you have data you were trying to
save, this is the quickest way to get past this point.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"DaveG" <DaveG@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A09A3A5C-07D9-445F-98C1-8569BD9A94DE@microsoft.com...
>I have followed your instructions, but its NOT installing, its saying the
> following:
>
> To install XP on the partition you slected, setup must write some startup
> files to the following disk: Unknown Disk
> However, this disk does not contain a XP compatible partition.
>
> To continue installing XP, return to the partition selection screen and
> create a XP compatible partition on the disk above.
>
> Does this mean anything to you, and can it be sorted.
>
> I have returned to the screen before and pressed 'C' but nothing as
> happened.
>
> It looks like I may have accidentally started to install XP on a new
> folder
> (windows1), is this what is causing the problem and is there a way around
> this?
>
> "Free Net Jobs" wrote:
>
>> you have selected the windows recoveryconsole
>> by pressing the 'R' key. recovery console is used
>> to fix windows boot errors, mbr errors, edit services etc.
>> but you can't reinstall windows using that. to do a reinatll
>> first boot from ur win xp cd. in the setup selection screen
>> press enter(do not press 'R'). in the next stage windows will
>> search for previous installations of windows and will find and
>> will list in the next screen. you can select your windows and
>> then press enter. reinatllation will start then.
>> DaveG wrote:
>> > Hello,
>> >
>> > I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage
>> > and
>> > I am now confronted with the following
>> >
>> > C:\WINDOWS>
>> >
>> > Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.
>> >
>> > Please Help.
>> >
>> > Thanks, Dave
>>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Hello Michael,

Thank you for your time.

I have followed your instructions to setup windows, but still come up with
the following message.

I have followed your instructions, but its NOT installing, its saying the
following:

To install XP on the partition you slected, setup must write some startup
files to the following disk: Unknown Disk
However, this disk does not contain a XP compatible partition.

To continue installing XP, return to the partition selection screen and
create a XP compatible partition on the disk above.

Does this mean anything to you, and can it be sorted.

I have returned to the screen before and pressed 'C' (to create a partition)
but nothing as happened.

It looks like I may have accidentally started to install XP on a new folder
(windows1), is this what is causing the problem and is there a way around
this?

On your second option (pressing R at the first chance), I am a little unsure
of what to do here (really deep stuff for me). Could you maybe write it in
(idiot proof) format, thanks.

Dave G


"Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote:

> I'm not sure of exactly what you've done from this post but below are the
> instructions for a repair install and it does not require the Recovery
> Console:
>
> NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
> something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
> over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
> you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
>
> Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
> actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
> CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
> system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
> the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
> instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
> see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
> the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
> your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.
>
> When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
> instructing you
> to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
> you see this be sure to
> hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
> to boot from the CD, it's too
> late, you'll need to reboot and try again.
>
> Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
> asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
> wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
> setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
>
> Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
> with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
> using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
> "Setup Windows,"
> NOT "Repair Windows Installation.
>
> The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
> press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
> will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
> version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
> install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
> on, follow the screens.
>
> Note, in some cases, you won't receive the repair option, only an option to
> reinstall. We have discovered that sometimes this is caused by damaged
> boot.ini file that can be repaired as follows and also note, in the
> instructions, "K" refers to the CD drive in which you have placed the XP CD,
> replace that drive letter with the appropriate letter on your system, "K" is
> simply an example.
>
> Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option (this is the section I told
> you to skip above. In this case, you will need to get to the Recovery
> Console to perform the function below), and if the CD letter is say K: give
> these commands
>
> COPY K:\i386\ntldr C:
> COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:
> (two other files needed - just in case)
> ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini
> DEL C:\boot.ini
> BootCfg /Rebuild
>
> Once you've completed this function, reboot and see if you can access XP as
> sometimes, the problem is the damaged boot.ini. If you still cannot access
> XP, then reboot and re-run the repair install instructions at the beginning
> of this message.
>
> If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
> either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform the
> above
> among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
> routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
> files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.
>
>
> --
> In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.
>
> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
> Windows Shell/User
> https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>
>
> "DaveG" <DaveG@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A09A3A5C-07D9-445F-98C1-8569BD9A94DE@microsoft.com...
> >I have followed your instructions, but its NOT installing, its saying the
> > following:
> >
> > To install XP on the partition you slected, setup must write some startup
> > files to the following disk: Unknown Disk
> > However, this disk does not contain a XP compatible partition.
> >
> > To continue installing XP, return to the partition selection screen and
> > create a XP compatible partition on the disk above.
> >
> > Does this mean anything to you, and can it be sorted.
> >
> > I have returned to the screen before and pressed 'C' but nothing as
> > happened.
> >
> > It looks like I may have accidentally started to install XP on a new
> > folder
> > (windows1), is this what is causing the problem and is there a way around
> > this?
> >
> > "Free Net Jobs" wrote:
> >
> >> you have selected the windows recoveryconsole
> >> by pressing the 'R' key. recovery console is used
> >> to fix windows boot errors, mbr errors, edit services etc.
> >> but you can't reinstall windows using that. to do a reinatll
> >> first boot from ur win xp cd. in the setup selection screen
> >> press enter(do not press 'R'). in the next stage windows will
> >> search for previous installations of windows and will find and
> >> will list in the next screen. you can select your windows and
> >> then press enter. reinatllation will start then.
> >> DaveG wrote:
> >> > Hello,
> >> >
> >> > I am trying to re-install XP (repair), I have passed the password stage
> >> > and
> >> > I am now confronted with the following
> >> >
> >> > C:\WINDOWS>
> >> >
> >> > Please, what do I put in here, I have tried everything I know.
> >> >
> >> > Please Help.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks, Dave
> >>
>
>
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers Wrote:
> Sounds like a corrupted system partition. The only real solution is
> often to
> delete it and create a new one. Unless you have data you were trying
> to
> save, this is the quickest way to get past this point.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> Hello Rick,
>
> Yes, it would be great to be able to save my data. Anyway you know that
> I may be able to do this?


--
djgosling
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

I'm with Rick on this.

Before you go any further, I think you should run a diagnostic on the hard
drive. Check the hard drive manufacturer's website for their diagnostic
tools. Making note of their instructions for making and using the tools
disk, download the tools, create the disk as instructed and run the
diagnostic to check the integrity of the disk and whether or not it might be
failing.

If the disk is fine, assuming you have an available separate partition from
the one on which your current setup resides, you could do a new install of
XP to that partition and then copy your data from the old setup to the new
one. ***It all would be much simpler and you would save yourself a lot of
heartache if you just had a recent backup from which you could restore your
data.

In any event, if you don't have an available partition, you will need third
party software such as an XP compatible version of Partition Commander or
System Commander to create one as XP does not have the tools to resize
partitions on the fly.

Once created and XP is installed, you may have problems accessing the data,
this is a file ownership issue related to NTFS, assuming your current setup
is using that file system. If that is the case and you receive such a
warning, you would need to do the following to take ownership:
This sounds like a file ownership issue related to NTFS. Note, file
ownership and permissions supersede administrator rights. How you resolve
it depends upon which version of XP you are running.

XP-Home

Unfortunately, XP Home using NTFS is essentially hard wired for "Simple File
Sharing" at system level.

However, you can set XP Home permissions in Safe Mode. Reboot, and start
hitting F8, a menu should eventually appear and one of the
options is Safe Mode. Select it. Note, it will ask for the administrator's
password. This is not your administrator account, rather it is the
machine's administrator account for which users are asked to create a
password during setup.

If you created no such password, when requested, leave blank and press
enter.

Open Explorer, go to Tools and Folder Options, on the view tab, scroll to
the bottom of the list, if it shows "Enable Simple File Sharing" deselect it
and click apply and ok. If it shows nothing or won't let you make a change,
move on to the next step.

Navigate to the files, right click, select properties, go to the Security
tab, click advanced, go to the Owner tab and select the user that was logged
on when you were refused permission to access the files. Click apply and
ok. Close the properties box, reopen it, click add and type in the name of
the user you just enabled. If you wish to set ownership for everything in
the folder, at the bottom of the Owner tab is the following selection:
"Replace owner on subcontainers and objects," select it as well.

Once complete, you should be able to do what you wish with these files when
you log back on as that user.

XP-Pro

If you have XP Pro, temporarily change the limited account to
administrative. First, go to Windows Explorer, go to Tools, select Folder
Options, go to the View tab and be sure "Use Simple File Sharing" is not
selected. If it is, deselect it and click apply and ok.

If you wish everything in a specific folder to be accessible to a user,
right click the folder, select properties, go to the Security tab, click
Advanced, go to the Owner tab,
select the user you wish to have access, at the bottom of the box, you
should see a check box for "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects,"
place a check in the box and click apply and ok.

The user should now be able to perform necessary functions on files in the
folder even as a limited account. If not, make it an admin account again,
right click the folder, select Properties, go to the Security tab and be
sure the user is listed in the user list. If not, click add and type the
user name in the appropriate box, be sure the user has all the necessary
permissions checked in the permission list below the user list, click apply
and ok.

That should do it and allow whatever access you desire for that folder even
in a limited account.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/


"djgosling" <djgosling.1n0jpn@pcbanter.net> wrote in message
news:djgosling.1n0jpn@pcbanter.net...
>
> Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers Wrote:
>> Sounds like a corrupted system partition. The only real solution is
>> often to
>> delete it and create a new one. Unless you have data you were trying
>> to
>> save, this is the quickest way to get past this point.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> Hello Rick,
>>
>> Yes, it would be great to be able to save my data. Anyway you know that
>> I may be able to do this?
>
>
> --
> djgosling
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Rick "Nutcase" Rogers layed this on us:

> Sounds like a corrupted system partition. The only real solution
> is often to delete it and create a new one. Unless you have data
> you were trying to save, this is the quickest way to get past this
> point.

I had the same error on a clean install recently. The install kept
wanting to install these files on a seperate drive from my C. This was
my data drives.

I solved this by exiting the installation and disconnecting the data
drives from the motherboard.

The install then ran fine without the error. It turned out the data
drives had a couple of corrupt directories but chkdsk fixed these on a
subsequent reboot after I reconnected them to the motherboard.

--
Bob Halberg
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (More info?)

Hi,

First, as Michael has pointed out, run a hard drive diagnostic. If the drive
is ok, then next make an image (if possible) of the corrupted partition. For
this you will need some third party software. Once imaged, you might then
try something like testdisk (cgsecurity.com) or mbrwork
(terabyteunlimited.com) to see if you can recover the partition. If they
don't help, you may be beyond the point at which a casual user can recover
data. You will have to decide whether or not you want to pay for
professional services (which is still no guarantee of recovery).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

"djgosling" <djgosling.1n0jpn@pcbanter.net> wrote in message
news:djgosling.1n0jpn@pcbanter.net...
>
> Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers Wrote:
>> Sounds like a corrupted system partition. The only real solution is
>> often to
>> delete it and create a new one. Unless you have data you were trying
>> to
>> save, this is the quickest way to get past this point.
>>
>> --
>> Best of Luck,
>>
>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
>>
>> Hello Rick,
>>
>> Yes, it would be great to be able to save my data. Anyway you know that
>> I may be able to do this?
>
>
> --
> djgosling