Here's How to Repair your Windows Installation

[fafner]

Sometimes it is necessary or desirable to repair your Windows installation.? For instance, you might see Windows showing unusual or unexplained slowdowns, failures to boot, devices no longer working like they used to, etc.

The following step by step procedure shows you how to do the repair.? Note, that you will need the CD key that came with your Windows disk to complete this procedure.

1.? Make sure boot order in BIOS is set to floppy (if you have one), cd/dvd, and then the HDD your original Windows was installed on.

2.? Insert your original Windows CD into your cd/dvd drive (a slipstreamed cd with SP will also workif you have one).? If the Windows Installion menu appears, select Install Windows.

3.? If that menu does not appear, go to Start, Turn Off Computer, and then select Restart.? After the POST, you will see a prompt, "Press any key to boot from cd..."
so press the space key (any other key will also work).

4.? Let Windows setup continue.

5.? After a short while you will see an option to repair your Windows using the Recovery Console.? Do NOT select this option.? Just continue.

6.? Soon after this you will see a message "Searching for a previous Windows Installation".

7.? When Setup finds your previous Windows installion you will be given an option to Repair that installation.? Follow the prompt on the screen, i.e, press R to repair.

8.? Now just let setup continue until it is complete and you see your desktop.

9.? Then, go to Windows Update (Start, All Programs, Windows Update) and let it search for and install any available service packs, and/or other updates.

10. Lastly, if you have any drivers that are wish to use other than the ones in Windows, just install them in the normal fashion.

Now your Windows is repaired and fully updated, and hopefully the problems you saw previously have been fixed.

 

[Stu]

excellent work fafner! now the next time someone doesn't understand "repair installation" i can point them in this direction!



oh bas, i have made this a sticky for you too!

 

[Frankenputer]

Couldn't you use a Slipstreamed XP+SP2 CD as well?

 

[fafner]

Yes, a slipstreamed cd will work too.

 

[Stu]

if you use a slipstreamed SP2 disc to repair Windows XP with SP1a or less, then it will also upgrade to SP2 at the same time

 

[fafner]

Thanks guys, I have updated my post to include the slipstream cd.

 

[Supershanks]

These resources may also be useful:-
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
Windows XP Repair Installation

 

[T1Oracle]

I found a more complete guide - http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#warning2

When I tried a repair install the option to repair my windows installation did not show up.  Then I found a work around for it.

1) Press R (the first time it asks for it) to repair using the recovery consol.
2) Then type bootcfg and press enter
3) It will prompt you twice, I just kept hitting enter, installing windows will reset that info anyway
4) Type exit and hit enter
5) Your system should reboot and "repair" the windows intallation should be an option. (Remember not to go into the Recovery Consol again unless this failed)

 

[Plextorman]

But remember...your core files will have been replaced with the originals when you do a repair installation. So remember..if necessary re-install your XP Service Pack(s) again (of course)! 

 

[captain139]

Mr. fafner......I am having trouble slipstreaming my XP CD with SP2 which I have on a microsoft disk. I copied windows XP to C:\i386 ( which folder I created) and I copied SP2 to a folder I made called XPSP2  (it too in C:\). So, after I type in 'cmd' where do I change directory to ? And what do I type to integrate SP2 into the windows folder(i386) ? Maybe I'm supposed to slipstream straight off of the SP2 CD......
Thanks for your time you guys.

 

[Frankenputer]

Try Autostreamer. This program makes it a bit simplier to slipstream XP and SP2. http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/Autostreamer.shtml

 

[captain139]

Ok, I'll give it a try. Thanks!!

 

[captain139]

Well, I downloaded auto slipstreamer and tried to run it.  Up pops a window that says:
Incorrect operating system. Need Windows 2000/XP/2003.
Auto slipstream will now close.
(OK) button.
And I am running windows XP with sp2 installed.
bummer.
This slipstreaming is about as fun and easy as trying to screw a screaming wildcat with a wet noodle.

 

[Marian]

Sometimes it is necessary or desirable to repair your Windows installation.  For instance, you might see Windows showing unusual or unexplained slowdowns, failures to boot, devices no longer working like they used to, etc.

In my humble opinion it's better to look for the source of the problem than trying to repair Windows over and over again. It might be easy to repair an unknown error but the same error could occur again because you never looked for the source.
There are so many tools to clean up and tweak your system. A repair or format is almost everytime avoidable while you can make Windows run as smooth as you want.
I know, I'm one of an almost extinct species but my good old W2000 is running since end of 1999 without formatting or repairing.
Just using the right tools, putting my settings right and being carefull on the internet did the trick I guess.

 

[Mike V]

Is it better to do this repair or just reformat and reinstall from scratch?

 

[Svet]

Is it better to do this repair or just reformat and reinstall from scratch?

second option is better (just reformat and reinstall from scratch)

 

[Mike V]

Thanks Bosskiller.
It seems everytime I do a fresh install I have trouble getting my cable internet going again.
I always seem to forget which files I need to download for the mobo to have access to that.  ???

 

[Svet]

Thanks Bosskiller.
It seems everytime I do a fresh install I have trouble getting my cable internet going again.
I always seem to forget which files I need to download for the mobo to have access to that.  ???

pickup drivers from here: http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/driver/dvr/spt_dvr_detail.php?UID=436&kind=1
what OS you use?
"It seems everytime I do a fresh install I have trouble getting my cable internet going again."
where its connected via ethernet port or via USB port? if you connect it through on-board LAN you need to install chipset drivers 1st. if you connect it via USB port ensure your OS installation is with included SP2 on it if its XP. then install chipset drivers as well.
if you use 98 install USB 2.0 drivers 1st,(http://download.msi.com.tw/support/dvr_exe/mbd_dvr/USB2W9XME009.zip) before install cable modem.

 

[Mike V]

Thanks Bosskiller.

My MSI mobo is a onboard LAN setup and I am running Win XP Home Edition.
So I am assuming I need these drivers?
NVIDIA nForce2 System Drivers for MCP2 of SB

 

[fwr1]

Had to do a cmos battery removal and go with reset bios.. bios is NOT updated.. but get the usual "fasttrck cannot connect to drive, no bio installed" after scan of IDE drives.. then go to normal windows (XPhome) start up.. get to the logo, and do not get to "windows is starting up",... screen goes black.... IDEAS??????