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chauffeur2 · 05-26-2007, 06:20 AM

Hi ginerashon...Welcome to TSF!

You might just be lucky enough to get away with a 'Repair Installation', although I'm not holding out much hope, because of the 'new' motherboard, but its worth a shot!

How to perform a Repair Installation of Windows® XP.
(The Windows® XP CD will be required for this procedure.)

Please Note: Performing a “Repair Installation” in this manner does not delete any Personal Files, it just 'repairs' the core of the installation.

Restart the computer and as soon as it starts to 'fire up' continually tap the Delete key so that access can be made into the BIOS...once in here, reset the boot order this way...
CD/DVD

HDD (or IDE0)

Floppy/Other device (if you don't have a floppy).

Insert the Windows® XP SP2 CD in the Drive; then, Save and Exit the BIOS.

Reboot the computer; a screen will appear, that says... Boot from CD.... Press any key to Boot from CD...follow the instruction...it will then progress to a Blue screen and load the basic drivers.

A prompt will appear to press r to enter the Recovery Console...PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS, as another option will come up to allow the option to 'Repair' the installation, and select the partition that needs repairing... please select this option.
Once that's done, it will continue to load; then, it will want to reboot, so just let it!
The computer will then be returned to the previous "Black Screen" saying Press any key to boot from the CD...this time DON'T...just let it reboot itself and it will then go to the next phase of the 'Repair Installation' where you will need to press F8 to agree to the Licence Agreement.

It is then a matter of following the on-screen prompts, including input of your Product Key, and 'naming' the computer...please ensure that it is the "Original" name that was used and then let Windows® install.

This process will take about 45 minutes...and it will reboot a couple of times, but do not be tempted to hit any key to boot it from the CD, or you'll be back at square one again.

Just be attentive and follow the on-screen prompts.

Just let it do its thing...now when you finally are at the Windows Desktop, power down the computer and re-enter the BIOS and change the Boot Configuration Order back to its original configuration.

I hope that this cures your woes.

Post back with the results, and if there are any other queries/concerns.

Kind Regards,

05-26-2007, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Re: Will I need to reformat? Hi ginerashon...Welcome to TSF! You might just be lucky enough to get away with a 'Repair Installation', although I'm not holding out much hope, because of the 'new' motherboard, but its worth a shot! How to perform a Repair Installation of Windows® XP. (The Windows® XP CD will be required for this procedure.) Please Note: Performing a “Repair Installation” in this manner does not delete any Personal Files, it just 'repairs' the core of the installation. Restart the computer and as soon as it starts to 'fire up' continually tap the Delete key so that access can be made into the BIOS...once in here, reset the boot order this way... CD/DVD HDD (or IDE0) Floppy/Other device (if you don't have a floppy). Insert the Windows® XP SP2 CD in the Drive; then, Save and Exit the BIOS. Reboot the computer; a screen will appear, that says... Boot from CD.... Press any key to Boot from CD...follow the instruction...it will then progress to a Blue screen and load the basic drivers. A prompt will appear to press r to enter the Recovery Console...PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS, as another option will come up to allow the option to 'Repair' the installation, and select the partition that needs repairing... please select this option. Once that's done, it will continue to load; then, it will want to reboot, so just let it! The computer will then be returned to the previous "Black Screen" saying Press any key to boot from the CD...this time DON'T...just let it reboot itself and it will then go to the next phase of the 'Repair Installation' where you will need to press F8 to agree to the Licence Agreement. It is then a matter of following the on-screen prompts, including input of your Product Key, and 'naming' the computer...please ensure that it is the "Original" name that was used and then let Windows® install. This process will take about 45 minutes...and it will reboot a couple of times, but do not be tempted to hit any key to boot it from the CD, or you'll be back at square one again. Just be attentive and follow the on-screen prompts. Just let it do its thing...now when you finally are at the Windows Desktop, power down the computer and re-enter the BIOS and change the Boot Configuration Order back to its original configuration. I hope that this cures your woes. Post back with the results, and if there are any other queries/concerns. Kind Regards, __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!