Hiya,
Just wanted to share some 'good luck' and recovery/repair Windows information.
I have an XP Home PC which I can't afford to replace but occasionally it 'dies'. It crashes and takes the Windows install with it. Usually it comes back with there is a corrupt System config file. Anyway normally I have to format/ re-install Win XP and all drivers 'yadda yadda yadda'. There is usually a hint to "Repair" Windows with the original CD, but I always found that route a dead end as instructions stop as soon as you get to the console, and you have to guess your way forwards - potentially causing more damage.
So last night all this happened and I thought, "I think I shall try the Repair route this time and try to figure it out".
I stumbled across a few commands using "Help" and decided I didn't really know what the heck was going on so check it on the Net (on my other PC). I found a tech document, it essentially said: Copy these 5 files to this folder. Delete the 5 files in their original place, copy these files to here, and restart Windows...
I thought "Yeah right!" - blummin heck it worked! All I had to do next was boot up to safe mode, locate and move those same files from a RESTORE Point folder into the tmp folder and finally move them using the console to the place I deleted the original files from. My Windows XP Home installation was now fully rebootable, with all drivers and software in place and working just fine. I was gobsmacked to say the least.
To complete the process, the instructions recommended restoring to a time just before the crash to complete the task, thats what I did. Just thought I'd share.
Here is the technote:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
IPete2.
Just wanted to share some 'good luck' and recovery/repair Windows information.
I have an XP Home PC which I can't afford to replace but occasionally it 'dies'. It crashes and takes the Windows install with it. Usually it comes back with there is a corrupt System config file. Anyway normally I have to format/ re-install Win XP and all drivers 'yadda yadda yadda'. There is usually a hint to "Repair" Windows with the original CD, but I always found that route a dead end as instructions stop as soon as you get to the console, and you have to guess your way forwards - potentially causing more damage.
So last night all this happened and I thought, "I think I shall try the Repair route this time and try to figure it out".
I stumbled across a few commands using "Help" and decided I didn't really know what the heck was going on so check it on the Net (on my other PC). I found a tech document, it essentially said: Copy these 5 files to this folder. Delete the 5 files in their original place, copy these files to here, and restart Windows...
I thought "Yeah right!" - blummin heck it worked! All I had to do next was boot up to safe mode, locate and move those same files from a RESTORE Point folder into the tmp folder and finally move them using the console to the place I deleted the original files from. My Windows XP Home installation was now fully rebootable, with all drivers and software in place and working just fine. I was gobsmacked to say the least.
To complete the process, the instructions recommended restoring to a time just before the crash to complete the task, thats what I did. Just thought I'd share.
Here is the technote:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
IPete2.