1.

Solve : Need help using Recovery Console for a system repair?

Answer»

Hi everyone !


   This is an HP Compaq DC7100SFF Desktop with Windows XP Professional SP3.
Windows won't load. There is a BLACK screen with a white blinking cursor, just after the BIOS screen.

I tried to insert the Windows CD, and wanted to do a Repair Install instead of doing a Fresh install. But I don't have this option. I have only the option of installing an additional installation in the same partition, or deleting the partition.
If you go to the page 6 of this tutorial, you'll see the step that I'm talking about: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1_6.htm


So, I ran the Recovery Console with SETUP.
But I'm not familiar with the Recovery Console, and my question is: is it possible to repair the Windows Installation using the recovery console ?
How to do it?

I don't want to loose the Data or all the software installed...

Thank you for your help ! Best Repair Install Info out there...Thank you!
I take a look at it right now !
Its best to back-up all documents first by connecting the HARD drive on a working computer as a safety procedure. He kinda mentions that in the Tutorial...a few times.I would suggest to install the hard drive to another PC save all data then reinstall windows Yes, true
I already saved all the data.

By the way... I saved all documents.
But is there a way to backup softwares? and then transfer them ? (Without having them reinstalled, if I don't have the CDs anymore?)
After googling, I found some softwares that says "Transfer Data and Software to a new PC for only 9.99$, or 20$... etc" but after reading the fine print, they all mention that you can save your music, pictures, videos, documents... etc but never mention programs, or softwares.Programs will need to be re-installed...this is by design.

None of the apps i ever tested that say they can do this ever worked very well... Quote from: cwcomputerconnections on March 20, 2012, 10:23:53 PM

I would suggest to install the hard drive to another PC save all data then reinstall windows
why not go to SAFE mode and then transfer all the data to usb? but if the window wont load in this computer (because of system crash), even though you move the hard drive another working computer, you still cannot start the window right?It doesn't detect any Windows install.
So even Safe mode cannot load.
It's like an empty HDD.

I tried to fix the Boot.ini ... but I couldn't fix it. Maybe I didn't do it right?

Because the windows Setup doesn't detect a windows install, that's why I couldn't have the option to do a Repair Install.
Then follow this Guide to get any data off the drive you need...
Here...

Then format the drive and do a clean install of XP...
Clean Install of XP...So, the only choice I have, is to do a new install of windows?I used Hiren Boot CD
And when I run Mini Windows XP, I can access the HDD, and navigate in all folders (I have access to Documents and everything)

But except for the documents, and pictures... can I transfer softwares in the new install ? (Some softwares, I can't reinstall then as I don't have the CDs, or Serial Keys)I also ran a CheckDisk with mini XP.
I accessed my HDD using Mini XP
located the file "boot.ini" which is located in the C: location
And opened it.

Deleted the Boot that I created using the recovery console (bootcfg /rebuild)
and edited it manually as follow:

[boot LOADER]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect


when I tried "Bootcfg /rebuild" given in this link : http://www.dtidata.com/resourcecenter/2007/04/23/how-to-slave-hard-drive/
It didn't solve the problem! I don't understand why...



So, after editing the boot.ini manually, and restarted the computer (without CDs)
same issue... only a black screen with a white blinking cursor.
I restarted the computer with the Windows XP Professional CD.
Went in Setup, and now Setup recognize a Windows Install! (at least solved that)

So I have the option the either repair the windows already installed, or do a fresh install.

I pressed R, for a repair install
Setup started deleting some sys files... etc, and copying some others... etc
and then the computer restarted itself after the 100% was complete.
Normally, after the computer restarts, windows goes on the WINDOWS Install (where you can see 35min left, and it installs everything...)
But windows won't load!
It freezes in PRESS ANY KEY TO BOOT FROM CD..... (it doesn't skip that part, to go on Windows Install)
and if I remove the Windows CD, I have only a black screen, and a white blinking cursor!

Tried again Windows Setup... and Repair install. And I had a message "Windows Setup already tried to upgrade Windows, but failed. would you like to try again?"

Second time... same result!

Any idea ?

Do I have to reinstall a fresh install?
I know it would be easier... but I can't reinstall some softwares and programs, as I don't have the CDs, or the serial keys.
If you know how to transfer Softwares, I'm ok with it...

if not... does anyone have an idea on how to get this Windows running ?


Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions