Hi again dtmusicman,
It now looks like you will have to perform a "Repair" of your Windows® XP installation.
(The Windows® XP CD will be required for this procedure.)
(
Recovery discs are not recommended with 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.
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 (
default) configuration.
I hope that this cures your woes.
Please report back with the success or failure of the ‘Repair’.
Kind Regards,