Xp install repair

One of the features Windows XP introduced is the Repair Install option which in the event of a major PC crash allows you to keep your personal data while the core Windows files are replaced hopefully allowing the PC to get back up and running. The repair feature is very useful when the operating system files have become too corrupted to fix but is something to be used only as a last resort.

If this fails, your next step would probably be a format and complete re-installation of Windows XP. Repairing your Windows XP will remove any Windows updates you have previously installed and also the system drivers will be reverted back to the original XP versions. Some Windows XP settings might be also be reset to their defaults. Obviously backing up any important data you have would also be beneficial just in case, you never know.

A blue screen will appear and begin loading Windows XP Setup from the CD, this could take a minute or more depending on the speed of your system. The next screen is nothing but the Windows XP licensing agreement. Press the F8 key to agree and continue. Windows setup will now look for an existing Windows XP installation and if it finds one, you will be given the chance to repair it, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP. Now you just have to wait for it to repair the Windows XP core files by overwriting the existing ones in your current Windows XP.

Get your Windows XP product key ready off the sticker because you will need to enter it during the process. For some branded computers such as HP, there are usually 2 CDs. Now it will start the Windows XP repair process….

Since we want to repair the selected Windows XP installation , press the R key to continue. Windows XP Setup will now delete the necessary system files from the Windows XP installation that's currently on your hard drive.

This step usually only takes a few seconds and no user intervention is necessary. No data files like word processor files, spreadsheet files, music files, photos, etc.

Only system files that Windows XP is able to restore are being deleted. Windows XP Setup will now copy the necessary installation files from the installation CD to the hard drive. This step usually only takes a few minutes and no user intervention is necessary. Windows XP will now begin installing. No user intervention is necessary. The Setup will complete in approximately: time estimation on the left is based on the number of tasks that the setup process has left to complete, not on a true estimation of the time it will take to complete them.

Usually, the time here is an exaggeration. During installation, the Regional and Language Options window will appear. The first section allows you to change the default language and the default location. If the options listed match your preferences, no changes are necessary. If you wish to make changes, select Customize and follow the directions given to install new languages or change locations.

The second section allows you to change the default Windows XP input language and device. After you've made any changes, or if you've determined no changes are necessary, select Next. The Workgroup or Computer Domain window will appear next with two options for you to choose from— No, this computer is not on a network, or is on a network without a domain or Yes, make this computer a member of the following domain.

If you're installing Windows on a single computer or a computer on a home network, chances are the correct option to choose is No, this computer is not on a network, or is on a network without a domain.

If you're on a network, enter the workgroup name of that network here. Otherwise, feel free to leave the default workgroup name and continue.

If you're installing Windows XP in a corporate environment, you may need to choose the Yes, make this computer a member of the following domain option and enter a domain name, but check with your system administrator first. If you're not sure, choose No, this computer is not on a network, or is on a network without a domain. You can always change this later once you're logged in to Windows XP.

Select Next. The Windows XP repair installation will now finalize. The Welcome to Microsoft Windows screen appears next, informing you that the next few minutes will be spent setting up your computer. Registration with Microsoft is optional, but if you'd like to do that now, choose Yes, I'd like to register with Microsoft now , select Next , and follow the instructions to register.

Otherwise, choose No, not at this time , and select Next. If you registered with your previous Windows XP installation that you are now repairing, you may not see this screen. If this is the case, just proceed to the next step. In this step, setup wants to know the names of the users who will use Windows XP so it can set up individual accounts for each user.

You must enter at least one name, but can enter up to five here. More users can be entered from within Windows XP after the repair installation is complete. After entering the account name s , select Next to continue. We're almost there! Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet?

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Related Articles. Article Summary. Author Info Last Updated: June 3, Backup your data. Although a Repair Install should not affect any of your data, it is always good to be prepared in case something goes wrong. Make sure to get files from all of the possible locations, including My Documents, Desktop, and any other folders you may have created and placed files in. You should also track down your Windows Product Key in case you end up needing to do a complete reinstall. Your Product Key is typically located on the case that the Windows disc came in, or on a sticker affixed to your computer.

If you bought your computer from a manufacturer such as Dell, you may have a recovery disc instead of a Windows XP disc. Close out of the program that autoruns when you insert the disc. With the disc inserted, restart your computer. The key varies from system to system, and will be displayed beneath the manufacturer's logo.

Common keys include: F2, F10, F12, and Delete. If Windows begins to load, the Setup key was not pressed in time and you will have to retry. Change your boot order. It may be labeled slightly differently depending on your specific BIOS. Normally, the hard drive is the primary boot device.

This means that the system attempts to boot from the hard disk first, loading your installed copy of Windows. You want to change it so that it attempts to boot from your Windows disc before trying the hard drive. Once you've changed your boot order, save your changes and restart your computer. Start the installation. After you computer reboots again, you will see the message Press any key to boot from CD Press any key on you keyboard to start the Windows setup program.

Setup will load the files necessary to install Windows. This may take a few moments. Navigate to the Repair Installation option.

When the setup program first loads, you will be greeted with a Welcome message. At the bottom of the screen, you will see keys that you can press to navigate the options. Press F8 to agree to the Windows License Agreement. After the license agreement, you will see a list of your drives. One of them should be labeled "Windows" and will usually be highlighted automatically. The only time you will need to manually select it is if you have multiple operating systems installed.

Start the repair. Once you have your copy highlighted, press R to start the Repair process.