kathie wrote:
> On 14:45 21 Nov 2009, Daave wrote:
>
>> kathie wrote:
>>> My XP Pro system won't boot after I installed some
>>> applications.
>>>
>>> It won't boot to safe mode. (After the Windows boot screen it
>>> shows a "DOS" list of dll files in System32 and the system
>>> hangs there.)
>>>
>>> I heard of various methods to recover XP Pro but I don't want
>>> to lose data or applications.
>>>
>>> What's the best approach to take?
>>
>> No approach is 100% foolproof. That being said, the best
>> (safest) approach is to:
>>
>> 1. Copy all your data as a safeguard. You can either phyically
>> remove the hard drive and place it either in an external
>> enclosure or in another PC as a slave *OR* boot off an
>> emergency CD like Knoppix, Ubuntu, UBCD4Win, or Bart PE and
>> copy the data to an external hard drive. Once this is done,
>> data can be copied to another location. (Feel free to ask if
>> you need guidance.)
>>
>> 2. After pressing F8, attempt to start your PC by using the
>> Last Known Good Configuration:
>>
>>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852
>>
>> (Who knows? You might luck out with that!)
>>
>> 3. If the above doesn't work, perform what is often called a
>> manual System Restore. Instructions are here:
>>
>>
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
>>
>> If you have an XP installation CD, you may the Recovery Console
>> found there. (Or perhaps it is a choice in your F8 menu.) If
>> you don't have an XP installation CD, you may burn your own
>> bootable Recovery Console CD, using the information here:
>>
>>
http://tips.vlaurie.com/2006/05/recover ... hose-witho
>> ut-an-xp-disk/
>>
>> If you need a program that can create a CD from an .iso, I
>> recommend ImgBurn:
>>
>>
http://www.imgburn.com/
>>
>> Another option is a Repair Install, but these can be tricky
>> with regard to Service Pack levels not matching and the version
>> of IE installed. If the above doesn't work, post back and we
>> can give you better guidance with regard to performing a Repair
>> Install (its advantage is all your programs and data would
>> remain intact -- *if* done without issues...).
>>
>> As I said, the above is not 100% foolproof, and the possibility
>> exists that you will need to perform a Clean Install.
Its
>> disadvantage is that all your data and programs would be
>> erased. That is why it is important to back up all your data!
>>
>> In the future, if you want to avoid this situation (the
>> possibility of losing all your installed applications), it is
>> best to regularly image or clone your hard drive. If you would
>> eventually like guidance for that, please start a new thread.
>>
>> Good luck.
>
> Hello Daave, thank you. You and others have given me a lot of info
> and I'm going to need some time to read thru the links. The reapir
> install is looking less attractive because of the hotfix updates I
> need to apply but maybe I have no choice!
Before you consider the Repair Install, you should try Options 2 and 3
from above (LKGC, first, and if that doesn't work, the manual System
Restore). One of these methods might solve your particular problem, so
you should try them before reinstalling the OS.
Otherwise, your choices are limited to a Repair Install (with no
guarantee that will solve your problem) or a Clean Install. Don't be
afraid of re-applying security updates. That should be the least of your
worries! Remember, Repair Installs can be tricky, so if this is what you
decide to do, be sure to get the proper guidance first (with regard to
Service Pack level and IE version).
I reckon I don't have the choice.