XP REPAIR INSTALL

Repair Install Printable version
Because of Service Packs, virus, malware, spyware, etc. changes
and warnings will be added.
Read entire article before proceeding with the Repair Install.
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.
If the capability to boot into Windows XP is still available and the
steps listed in the warning did not help the situation, you can use
an OEM XP Pro or Home, "retail" full version or upgrade CD of the
same version Home or Pro to perform a Repair Install. OEM Restore
disks or folders 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 ad ware and malware,
but will not fix an ad ware, 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.
An option I highly recommend is creating a Slipstreamed XP CD with
SP1, SP2, etc..
Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) Good
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
Another Slipstream step by step Better
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
AutoStreamer mirror link for AutoStreamer Best!!
http://mhtools.knoware.nl/raptor/autostreamer/AutoStreamer.exe
Step by Step on AutoStreamer
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
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XP REPAIR INSTALL
1. Boot the computer using the XP CD. You may need to change the
boot order in the system BIOS. 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.
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,
read Warning #2 below!!
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.

Blaster worm warning: Do not immediately activate over the internet
when asked, enable the XP firewall
[ http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673 ]
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 [ http://michaelstevenstech.com/xpfirewall1.jpg ] page.

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.

Service Pack 2 link. Copy and paste link into your browser.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-
4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

An option I highly recommend; is creating a Slipstreamed XP CD with
SP1, SP2, etc. .

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) Good
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Another Slipstream step by step Better
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

AutoStreamer mirror link for AutoStreamer Best!!
http://mhtools.knoware.nl/raptor/autostreamer/AutoStreamer.exe

Step by Step on AutoStreamer
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html
______________________________________________________________________

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.
To prevent loss of data 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

From the Start menu, click Run.
Screenshot Image
file://Yellowjacket/i/webs/web/Nighthawk/images/cmdpmt.gif

In the Run dialog box, in the Open text box, type: cmd. Click OK.
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.
Screenshot Image
file://Yellowjacket/i/webs/web/Nighthawk/images/undo_guimode.gif
KB Q312369
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;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
http://www.digitalwebcast.com/2002/03_mar/tutorials/cw_boot_toot.htm

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.
http://aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

More articles to help prevent data loss.

http://cquirke.mvps.org/reinst.htm

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.
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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, Documents and
Settings folders. All Applications that place keys in the registry
will need to be re-installed.

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, XP is usually not repairable and will require a Clean
install.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
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 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"

Feedback on success or failure of the above fixes would be greatly
appreciated.

Feedback on success or failure of the above fix would be greatly
appreciated.
xpnews@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
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/

Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en

An option I highly recommend; is creating a Slipstreamed XP CD with SP1, SP2, etc. .
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp

Slipstreaming Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (SP2) Good

Another Slipstream step by step Better
http://www.msfn.org/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=49

AutoStreamer mirror link for AutoStreamer Best!!
http://mhtools.knoware.nl/raptor/autostreamer/AutoStreamer.exe

Step by Step on AutoStreamer
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.html

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Related Microsoft KB Articles

You May Lose Data or Program Settings After Reinstalling, Repairing or Upgrading Windows XP (Q312369)

System Restore "Restore Points" Are Missing or Deleted (Q301224)

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP