Cannot start up XP

[towjoe42]

Helping friend on his compaq. it will not start up no way, no how.
used the xp cd and restarted. tried to do recovery to last known configuration.
Would not work came up with same start up menu items.
Safe mode would not start up in safe mode.
Tried to Re-install. wanted me to select what partition to re-install.
Did not know how it was orig installed, Ie, fat or ntfs. it was a new computer only a couple years old, and had all orig compaq installation in it.

[frebo]

do you have all the drivers? and have you tried a repair you dont have to format to do a repair.

[towjoe42]

The only CD he has is the Compaq Recovery CD, which does not work when put in cd drive and cold restart.
How do you do a "repair"? thanks, joe

[SuperSparks]

Boot up with the XP CD in the drive and let Setup run. Go past the "C" and "R" repair options by presssing Enter just as if you're doing a clean install and you'll eventually get an option to "Repair an existing installation". That's the one you want. If it asks about formatting you've gone wrong, so start over.

You'll get to keep your existing apps & settings, but you need to re-install SP2, Windows Updates & any unsigned drivers afterwards. NOTE: Be aware that you'll lose any protection from Blaster / Sasser type worms. Don't go online without a firewall, whether the built in Windows one or 3rd party.

How to perform a re-install of WinXP

Repair XP

[towjoe42]

Well, he did not bring his win xp Home edition over. Mine is xp pro. is there any difference?
Next in trying your steps with My winxp-pro after set up starts, I do not get any other option to "go by C and R options. I either have to select one of them or the Install options by pressing Enter.
When that is the only option, and it brings up the two partition options only, what do I do? If on that screen, I press Enter, it will partition one of the tow partition options shown. that is no other options to bypass anyting to get to the repair option.

[ahmedalmatook]

yes they are different, and the license wont work (which is the main problem you may encounter)!!

[SuperSparks]

You cannot use the Pro CD to repair the Home Edition installation, that's why you're not seeing the option. You'll need to get ahold of his HE CD.

[towjoe42]

OK, I kind of thougt that may be the problem. He just said the computer came with XP home when he bought it new and did not get an actual CD with it for xp home. He is out now buying a new XP home CD and will bring it over later. will check back in after I get it. thanks, Joe