In previous versions of Windows, correcting an operating system error, or installing a new motherboard, usually meant formating and reinstalling, resulting in loss of all data. Don't worry; Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system!
Note: The system repair function will remove any updates you have previously installed that are not included on the CD. Drivers will also be reverted to their original XP versions, as well as some settings (network & performance settings may sometimes be reset to their defaults). It may be necessary to reactivate your Windows XP as well. When finished, you will have to download all of the updates from Microsoft Windows Update, because they are all replaced during repair.
Why would I want to reinstall Windows XP?
1) Can't start Windows XP in safe mode.
2) You have problems caused by a recently installed system update (Windows Update, hotfix, Windows XP service pack, or Microsoft Internet Explorer update).
3) Your problems can't be solved with system restore, or you can't access system restore.
4) You've installed a new motherboard, or made other major hardware changes and need to reinstall Windows.
Let's get started!
Step 1: Rule out hardware issues. Windows Repair will only fix software problems. Hardware issues can also cause boot problems (i.e. bad hard drive, memory, CPU, or power supply).
Step 2: Backup. It's always a good idea to backup your important data before making changes to Windows XP. Relax, if you follow these instructions your data will be perfectly safe.
Step 3: Boot from your Windows XP CD. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD. Can't boot from your CD? Please see the note at the bottom of this page (Configuring Your Computer to Boot from CD).
Step 4: A blue screen will appear and begin loading Windows XP Setup from the CD.
Note: RAID/SCSI/Unsupported UDMA users:
You will be prompted to "press F6 to install any third party SCSI or RAID drivers". Most users will not have to press F6, but if you are running RAID, SCSI or unsupported UDMA controllers, then you will have to have your controller drivers on a floppy disk. If you are unsure whether you have RAID/SCSI, then simply let the CD load without pressing F6.
When completed loading files, you will be presented with the following "Windows Setup" screen, and your first option. Select "To set up Windows XP now, press ENTER". DO NOT select Recovery Console.
Reduced: 99% of original size [ 641 x 398 ] - Click to view full image
When presented with the screen below. press the F8 key to continue.
Reduced: 99% of original size [ 641 x 398 ] - Click to view full image
Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP.
If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.
Note: If you install a fresh copy, all data on that partition will be lost!
Reduced: 99% of original size [ 642 x 398 ] - Click to view full image
Your almost finished! Windows XP will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all of your data and settings. Just follow the prompts, and have your CD-KEY ready if needed.
Do you have more than one system, or lost your CD-KEY? Visit the keyfinder page to retrieve your CD-KEY.
Update: Due to the proliferation of the Blaster and Welchia Worm/Virus be aware that a Repair Install will leave your system vulnerable. You can get infected within seconds. Do not go on line until you have enabled XP's firewall first.
Remember to run Windows Update! (install critical updates first)
-----------------------------
Configuring Your Computer to Boot from CD
Many computers are not configured to boot from the CDROM. If you cannot boot from the CDROM, this is probably due to the boot order of your devices being incorrect. You can change this in the BIOS.
You enter the BIOS from the first screen you see when you turn your computer on. To enter your BIOS, most users here will press the DEL key.
Most Dell, Toshiba, Gateway, Sony & HP systems will press F2.
Compaq users will usually have to press F10.
IBM typically uses F1 or F2.
Other brands may have different keys to press to enter setup, F1, F2, Del, Tab and CTRL+S. If possible see the manual for your computer or motherboard. Also, the BIOS will usually display which button to press to "enter setup" during POST (if it flashes by too fast, press the Pause key).
When you enter the BIOS setup, you need to change the boot order. The CDROM should be setup before the Hard Drive. Each BIOS is different, but here is an example:
Reduced: 99% of original size [ 642 x 402 ] - Click to view full image
Note: If you need assistance with a repair installation, please start a new topic in our Windows XP Forum. This topic is also open for comments, but not all will receive a reply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: After running a repair, you may find that Windows Update refuses to install the most recent 80 patches. This is because the latest version of Windows Update is broken, and doesn't register some DLLs if they're previously been registered (as happens with a repair install). Here's a work around until they get it fixed:
1. Stop the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each command:
net stop wuauserv
exit
2. Register the file that is used by Windows Update and Microsoft Update. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command, press ENTER after the command, and then click OK when you receive a verification message:
regsvr32 %windir%\system32\wups2.dll
Note: for x64 machines regsvr32 %windir%\syswow64\wups2.dll
3. Start the Automatic Updates service. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
2. At the command prompt, type the following commands, and then press ENTER after each command:
net start wuauserv
exit
or it could be this
It is extremely important that you backup important data that is not available from other media sources. This backup should be located on a separate hard drive, CD, DVD, network storage, etc. that will not be affected by the repair install.
Please check out the warning links before attempting the Repair Install. It is to your advantage you follow the suggestions to prevent data loss and especially if you also have the capability to boot into XP, perform the steps listed in the Warning #1 , before proceeding with the repair install.
After completing [if Windows is still accessible] the steps listed to prevent data loss in warning #1 and you did not remedy the no boot situation, you can use an OEM XP Pro or Home, "retail" XP Home or Pro full or upgrade version CD of the same version Home or Pro to perform a Repair Install. OEM Restore disks or hidden restore folders on the hard drive will not work for the Repair Install.
A Repair Install will replace the system files with the files on the XP CD used for the Repair Install. It will leave your applications and settings intact, but Windows updates will need to be reapplied.
A Repair Install will replace files altered by adware and malware, but will not fix an adware, malware problem.
You can use the In place upgrade option to change a Product Key in the event you entered a key that was already activated. The In Place Upgrade also produces the same result as the Repair Install.
Alternate options to Change XP Product Key #18 on the FAQ list.
Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.
If you get a "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD." message, if you continue, you will need to apply the SP 2 updates after the repair install completes, plus you will need to take the following steps to keep your system from being immediately infected with a virus.
1. If you connect directly to the internet without a router or hardware firewall, disconnect from the internet by physically removing the connections cable, removing a wireless card, or any other means of internet connection.
2. After the Repair install is completed, enable the XP firewall or install third party firewall software or router before connecting to the internet.
If you get the "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.". You should create a slipstreamed copy of your XP CD by useing the software and step by steps supplied in the links below.
Slipstream XP
Automatic Updates
If you cannot download Automatic updates after the Repair install , follow the steps in the link below sumitted by MS-MVP's Richard Harper and Ron Martell.
Automatic Updates stops working after a repair install of Windows XP
XP Repair install
Please read carefully and make sure you followed the warning links before initiating the Repair Install. You can print a text version for reference. repair.txt
1. Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the boot order in the system BIOS so the CD boots before the hard drive. Check your system documentation for steps to access the BIOS and change the boot order.
2. When you see the "Welcome To Setup" screen, you will see the options below
This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft
Windows XP to run on your computer:
To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To repair a Windows XP installation using Recovery Console, press R.
To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
3. Press Enter to start the Windows Setup.
To setup Windows XP now and Repair Install , press ENTER. do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R", (you Do Not want to load Recovery Console). I repeat, do not choose "To repair a Windows XP installation using the Recovery Console, press R".
4. Accept the License Agreement and Windows will search for existing Windows installations.
5. Select the XP installation you want to repair from the list and press R to start the repair. If Repair is not one of the options, END setup. After the reboot read Warning#2!
6. Setup will copy the necessary files to the hard drive and reboot. Do not press any key to boot from CD when the message appears. Setup will continue as if it were doing a clean install, but your applications and settings will remain intact.
If you get files not found during the copying stage.
Blaster worm warning: Do not immediately activate over the internet when asked, enable the XP firewall before connecting to the internet. You can activate after the firewall is enabled. Control Panel - Network Connections. Right click the connection you use, Properties and there is a check box on the Advanced page.
KB 833330u Blaster removal
What You Should Know About the Sasser Worm and Its Variants
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011
7. Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP installation. Please note that a Repair Install using an Original pre service pack 1 or 2 XP CD used as the install media will remove SP1/SP2 respectively and service packs plus updates isssued after the service packs will need to be reapplied.
Windows XP Service Pack 1
Service Pack 2
An option I highly recommend; is creating a Slipstreamed XP CD with SP1, SP2, etc. .
Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) Good
Another Slipstream step by step Better
AutoStreamer mirror link for AutoStreamer Best!!
Step by Step on AutoStreamer
Printable Repair Install step by step. repair.txt
XP Repair Install in PDF XPrepairinstall
Warning! #1
Should you do a repair install and is it the best choice?
A Repair Install is not foolproof and should not be considered the cure-all fix for non-boot situations.
The below procedure applies only if you can still boot into Windows.
To prevent loss of data and/or program settings, perform the following before the Repair Install.
Manually delete the Undo_guimode.txt file from the Windows\System32 folder before you perform any of the actions that are listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article. To do this in Windows XP, type the following command at a command prompt:
del /a /f %windir%\system32\undo_guimode.txt
1. From the Start menu, click Run. See screenshot Image
2. In the Run dialog box, in the Open text box, type: cmd. Click OK.
3. Delete the undo_guimode.txt file. In the C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe dialog box, type: del /a /f c:\windows\system32\undo_guimode.txt. Press the ENTER key. See screenshot Image
KB Q312369
Check the link below for an option for recovering from a non-boot event.
Windows XP Crashed? Here's Help
A salvage mission into the depths of Windows XP, explained by a non-geek
by Charlie White
Also as a precaution the windows\system32\WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK should be copied to a floppy before doing a repair install. For more information see Alex Nichol's article on XP activation.
More articles to help prevent data loss.
http://cquirke.mvps.org/reinst.htm
Back
Additional tips to perform before initiating the Repair Install.
You should complete the basic requirements of backing up all files and folders that cannot be restored from other media. This includes passwords, applications purchased and downloaded from the internet without CD support, financial records and folders, digital images that cannot be replaced...............
Backup copies of your registry files (in the %systemroot%\Repair folder) are also replaced after the in-place upgrade is complete. Copy these registry backups to another location before you perform an in-place upgrade/Repair Install. You may need to use them after the in-place upgrade is complete.
It would also be a good idea to run the Files And Settings Transfer wizard F.A.S.T located on the XP CD.
If you made unorthodox registry changes with third party software, there is the potential of data loss from a Repair Install. Another consideration of concern would be a power failure during the repair install could render your system unbootable and result in loss of data.
The likelihood of you losing the files and folders is probably of minimal risk, but you have to expect the worst and make sure you are prepared for recovery.
If you are sure you have explored all other troubleshooting avenues, then proceed with the repair install.
If you get a warning message: "Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD."
You get this message when you use a pre-SP 1, SP2 XP CD on an XP installation that has been updated to SP1, SP2.
You have the options listed below.
1. Remove the SP 1, SP2 update if the option is available from Add/Remove.
2. Create a slipstreamed XP CD merging the SP1 or SP2 update.
2a Autostreamer for creating a slipstreamed CD the easy way.
3. Purchase an XP CD with SP2 included.
Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or 2 (SP1, SP2)
Another Slipstream step by step
AutoStreamer mirror link for AutoStreamer
Step by Step on AutoStreamer
Warning!! #2
If the Repair Option is not Available
What should I do? Most important do not ignore the information below!
If the option to Repair Install is NOT available and you continue with the install; you will delete your Windows folder and the Documents and Settings folders. All applications installed that place keys in the registry will need to be re-installed and will require the original install media.
You should exit setup if the repair option is not available and consider other options. I have found if the Repair option is not available, you have a few paths I have listed below to try before XP requires a Clean install.
Another option to consider since the cost of 100 gig hard drives has dropped to well under $75 would be to disconnect the current hard drive and install a clean XP from retail disks or restore media to a new hard drive. You can then connect the original hard drive after configuring the jumpers to a slave drive. You can retreive important files. One thing to remember, if a hard drive has not been formatted or written over by reinstalling, the data is accessabile. The less you access a hard drive after a non-boot episode; the better your chances of retreiving your data.
Very important!!
If you still have the ability to access the Windows XP installation, backup all important files not restorable from other sources before attempting any recovery console or other trouble shooting attempts.
Possible Fix by reconfiguring boot.ini using Recovery Console.
1.Boot with XP CD or 6 floppy boot disk set.
2. Press R to load the Recovery Console.
3. Type bootcfg.
4. This should fix any boot.ini errors causing setup not to see the XP OS
install.
5. Try the repair install.
One more suggestion from MVP Alex Nichol
"Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option 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)
1. Type: attrib -h -r -s C:\boot.ini del C:\boot.ini
2. Type: BootCfg /Rebuild
which will get rid of any damaged boot.ini, search the disk for systems and make a new one. This might even result in a damaged windows reappearing; but gives another chance of getting at the repair"
Try the link below if the repair option is not available.
Windows XP Crashed?
Here's Help. A salvage mission into the depths of Windows XP, explained by a non-geek
by Charlie White
Back
Feedback
Feedback on success or failure of the above fixes would be greatly appreciated.
Please submit your solution to fix the repair install option as not available. New fixes submitted and verified will be posted with credit below.
Charlie Russel MS-MVP
Charlie Russel submitted this valuable information that if you have Symantec GO Back installed, you will not get an option to repair install until you disable it.(you will get a warning that you will lose your restore points.) You will then get the option to repair install.
Please submit your fixes. webmaster@michaelstevenstech.com
Warning!! #3
Updates must be applied before connecting to the internet after a repair install.
Reapply updates or service packs applied since initial Windows XP installation. Please note that a Repair Install using an Original pre service pack 1 or 2 XP CD used as the install media will remove SP1/SP2 respectively and service packs plus updates issued after the service packs will need to be reapplied.
Windows XP Service Pack 1
Service Pack 2
or do this one
How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
View products that this article applies to.
Article ID : 304449
Last Review : June 1, 2004
Revision : 1.0
This article was previously published under Q304449
On This Page
INTRODUCTION
MORE INFORMATION
Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt
REFERENCES
INTRODUCTION
Windows XP includes the System Restore tool, but you cannot start the System Restore tool from a Recovery Console prompt. Therefore, you may want to start the System Restore tool when you cannot start your Windows XP-based computer normally or in Safe mode.
This article describes how to start the System Restore tool in Safe mode by using Command Prompt.
Back to the top
MORE INFORMATION
Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt
1. Restart your computer, and then press F8 during the initial startup to start your computer in Safe Mode with a command prompt.
For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
315222 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/) A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP
2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.
3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.