Help with windows boot disc

Discussion in 'Software' started by aclark88, Apr 12, 2011.

  1. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Hi I've had some problems with starting my laptop and have aquired a xp boot disc.

    I've been following this thread

    http://www.informationweek.com/news/189400897?pgno=2

    And following the steps but when I get to step 6, the picture looks different and I have different partitions. C, D and some other. Should I just hit enter on C to set-up (repair) this partition??

    Any help is appreciated.
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #1
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If that is where your system was originally installed on , yes.
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #2
  3. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class


    Thanks tim, following the steps on that list will keep all my data correct? Its not in any danger?
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, a repair install will keep all your files and data safe.
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #4
  5. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Ok I know I'm being annoying but I definately want to get this right.

    After I click enter @ step 6 (http://www.informationweek.com/news/189400897?pgno=2)

    It goes to a page warning about 'You chose to install windows xp on a partition that contains another operating system'

    And at the top it has 'Windows XP Professional Setup'.

    That doesnt sound right?
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Yes, that's right. But are you doing a repair with an XP Pro disc?
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #6
  7. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    My laptop is windows xp media center edition 2005 and the disc is supposed to be media center edition 2005 as well, but dont know whether that would come up as 'XP Professional'
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #7
  8. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Should work. Just tell me if the next screen asks if you want to repair the installed OS.
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #8
  9. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class


    The next screen says

    Set up will install Windows XP on partition

    C: Partition 2 (VAIO) [NTFS] 57224 (4414 MB FREE)

    on 114471 MB disc 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]

    Format the partition using the NTFS file system
    or
    Leave the current file system intact (no changes)

    Still on the right path?
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #9
  10. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    NO!! That is a new install. Not a repair. Reboot and start over. You will get a screen asking if you want to go into the Recovery console ( R ), or install. Choose install, then you will get the License screen ( F8 to agree ) then it should find the original OS and ask if you want to do a repair ( R ). You choose R this time.
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #10
  11. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class


    I dont get that option?
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #11
  12. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you are not getting the repair option, you need to hold off, backup your personal files and data, and then do a clean install. What has prompted this? What issues were/are you having?
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #12
  13. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    I enter, it and follow steps 1-5 of this (http://www.informationweek.com/news/189400897) perfectly, but step 6 is the page

    'the following list shows exsisting partitions and unpartioned space on this computer

    To set up press enter
    create partition in unpartitioned space press C
    delete selected partition press D

    Partition 1 (EISA Utilities)
    Partition 2 (c)
    partition 3 (D)

    To answer your question, Im getting the reboot loop at start up and its getting soooo frustrating! I really wanted to fix this without having to start over!
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #13
  14. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    If you are now being looped back on your login screen, it means that userinit.exe file has been deleted, infected or corrupted or the registry keys associated with it may have been deleted or corrupted. Have you tried logging into safe boot mode? if that does not work then you will need to do the below:

    Login Loop
     
    TimW, Apr 12, 2011
    #14
  15. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Tim,

    http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1611201&posted=1

    I have tried and exhausted every possible way to fix this. It wont boot in any mode. I went into system volume, copied those 5 files from a Restore Point copied them into system32/config and deleted out the old ones and nothing!

    Thats why I resulted to this.

    I did get the disc from (http://www.warez-bb.org/viewtopic.php?t=4239529&start=0) so Im not 100% surprised it didnt give the repair option!

    Arghhhh what to do!
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #15
  16. satrow

    satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

    satrow, Apr 12, 2011
    #16
  17. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Wow, that all sounds like alien language to me. I may sound like I know what Im talking about but Im not that clever.

    Can you cut that down to english for me? What does it mean?
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #17
  18. satrow

    satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Just trying to point out that if there's a version difference between the files expected during this stage of the boot/logon process, it might give the result you are seeing, you really need the same version of XP with the same SP level to have the best chance of fixing it.
     
    satrow, Apr 12, 2011
    #18
  19. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class


    How do I find out what SP I am. I'm sure I am SP3 as I have been up to date with all updates?

    Anyway, researching your post. If I copy my winlogon.exe from i386 folder into system32/config and delete out the one thats there this may solve it?

    I cant believe this all came about from deleting 3/4 files!
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #19
  20. satrow

    satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

    No, I think the Repair option using the same XP (Home?) version with SP3 is the way to go. If it's the correct XP version/SP level, you should get the repair option as describeded in Post #10.

    The best XP to use is one from the maker of the laptop - OEMs are often very different in the way they install the Registry, compared to Retail, Small Builder and VLK versions (XP was/is very complicated).
     
    satrow, Apr 12, 2011
    #20
  21. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Can you perhaps point me in the right direction by what you mean and where to get this?
     
    aclark88, Apr 12, 2011
    #21
  22. satrow

    satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

    The laptop makers will often sell a replacement XP CD for the same laptop for around $20. It may not be SP3, however - but creating a new SP3 CD from it using a method known as 'slipstreaming' is fairly easily achieved.
     
    satrow, Apr 12, 2011
    #22
  23. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    A bootleg version of Windows not only could not give you the correct options, but also be loaded with malware. You need to obtain a legit version.
    .
     
    TimW, Apr 13, 2011
    #23
  24. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    I'm 99% sure my laptop didn't come with a disc so where do I obtain one?
     
    aclark88, Apr 13, 2011
    #24
  25. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    satrow answered that already. The only other option is to try to borrow one of the exact same version. That is, as long as you have the install key sticker on your machine.
     
    TimW, Apr 13, 2011
    #25
  26. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Yes I have the install sticker on the bottom with a windows key.
     
    aclark88, Apr 13, 2011
    #26
  27. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    I'm trying to do something in recovery console and all of a sudden it's now asking for administrative password?

    I've been in recovery console a few times this week and it hasn't asked for it once.

    Is this a password I would of set or one that comes as default?
     
    aclark88, Apr 13, 2011
    #27
  28. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    aclark88, Apr 13, 2011
    #28
  29. satrow

    satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

    A related page gives the installed version as Genuine Windows® Media Center Edition 2005.
     
    satrow, Apr 13, 2011
    #29
  30. aclark88

    aclark88 Private First Class

    Can you link me and what can I do with this?
     
    aclark88, Apr 13, 2011
    #30

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