Repair Install
If XP is corrupted to the point where none of the
previous solutions get it to boot, you can do repair install that might work as
well as keep the current setting
Make
sure you have your valid windows XP key. The whole process takes about half on
hour depending on your computer. If you are being prompted for the
administrator’s password you need to choose the 2nd repair option,
not the first.
- Insert and boot from
your windows XP CD.
- At the second R=Repair
option, press the R key.
- This will start the
repair.
- Press F8 for I agree
at the licensing agreement.
- Press R when the
directory where windows XP are installed is shown. Typically this is
c:\windwos.
- It will then check the
c:\ drive and start copying files.
- It will automatically
reboot when needed. Keep the CD in the drive.
- You will then see the
graphic part of the repair that is like during a normal install of XP
(collecting information, dynamic update, preparing installation,
installing windows, finalizing installation).
- When prompted, click
on the next button.
- When prompted, enter
your XP key.
- Normally you will want
to keep the same workgroup or domain name.
- The computer will
reboot.
- Then you will have the
same screens as a normal XP install.
- Activate if you want
(usually a good idea).
- Register if you want
(but not necessary).
- Finish.
- At this point you
should be able to log in with any existing account.
NTOSKRNL MISSING OR CORRUPT
If you get an error that NTOSKRNL
not found.
- Insert and boot form
your windows XP CD.
- At the first R=Repair option,
press the R key.
- Press the number that
corresponds to the correct location for the installation of windows you
want to repair. Typically this will be #1.
- Change the drive that
has the CD-ROM
- CD i386
- Expand
ntkrnlmp.exe_c:\windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe.
- If windows XP is
installed in a different location, just make the necessary change to
c:\windows
- Take out the CD-ROM
and type exit.
HAL.DLL Missing or Corrupt
If you get an error regarding a
missing or corrupt hal.dll file, it might simply be the Boot.ini file on the
root of the c:\ drive that is misconfigured.
- Insert and boot from
your windows XP CD.
- At the first R=Repair
option, press the R key.
- Press the number that
corresponds to the correct location for installation of windows you want
to repair. Typically this will be #1.
- Type BOOTCFG/LIST to
show the current entries in the Boot.ini file.
- Type BOOTCFG/REBULD to
repair it.
- Tale out the CD-ROM
and type exit.
Corrupted or
Missing\Windows\System\Config
If you get the error, windows could not start because
the
following files are missing
or
corrupt\windows\system32\config\system
or
\windows\system32\config\software.
- Insert and boot form
your windows XP CD.
- At the first R=Repair
option, press the R key.
- Press the number that
corresponds to the correct location for installation of windows you want
to repair. Typically this will be #1.
- Enter in the
administrator password when requested.
- Cd\windows\system32\config.
- Depending on which
section was corrupted, REN software software.bad
- Depending on which section
was corrupted copy\windows\
Repair\system, copy windows\repair\software.
- Take out the CD-ROM
and type exit.
NTLDR OR NTDETECT.COM NOT FOUND
If you get an error that NTLDR is
not found during BOOTUP, if you have FAT32 partitions, it is much simpler than
with NTFS. Just boot with a win98 floppy and copy the NTLDR or NTDETECT.COM
files from the i386 directory to the root of the c:\drive
For
NTFS:
- Insert and boot from
your windows XP CD.
- At the first R=Repair
option, press the R key.
- Press the number that
corresponds to the correct location for the installation of windows you
want to repair. Typically this will be #1.
- Enter in the
administrator password when requested
- Enter in the following
commands ( X: is replaced by the actual drive that is assigned to the
CD-ROM drive. Copy x:\i386\NTLDR c:\>copy X:\i386\NTDETECT.COM c:\
- Take out the CD ROM
and type exit.
OPENING PORTS OR ADDING ALLOWED PROGRMS WITH SP2’S
FIREWALL
- Click on start/run
- Enter in firewall.cpl
- Click on the
exceptions tab.
Adding
a port for internet access:
- Click on the add port
button.
- Name it whatever you
want.
- Enter in the ports you
want to open.
Adding
a program for internet access
1. Click on add program button.
2. A list of all installed programs will be displayed.
3. Highlight the one you want to include for internet
access.
4. Click on the ok button.
AUTOEXE.COM OR CONFIG.SYS ERRORS
If you are getting errors similar
to:
The
system file is not suitable for running MS-DOS and Microsoft windows
applications. Choose ‘close’ to terminate the application. Try copying the file
from\windows\repair\directory to the one that is in the \windows\system32
directory.
WINDOWS EXPLORER OPENS SEARCH COMPANION
RATHER THAN THE FOLDER
If the windows explorer opens up the
search companion rather than opening up the actual folder, the default setting
for opening a folder is changed.
To
correct this:
- Start regedit.
- Go to
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\DIRECTORY\SHELL.
- Edit the default value
to be explorer or none.
COMMON CONTROL PANNEL APPLETS
The following are some common
control panel applets that are located in the \windows\system32 directory. If
you find yourself using any of these frequently, then you can simply make
shortcut to then on your desktop.
|
Appwiz.cpl
|
Add/remove
programs
|
|
Desk.cpl
|
Display
properties
|
|
Firewall.cpl
|
Firewall
setting
|
|
Inetcpl.cpl
|
Internet
options
|
|
Mmsys.cpl
|
Sound
and audio
|
|
Ncpa.cpl
|
Network
connections
|
|
Musrmgr.cpl
|
User
accounts
|
|
Powercfg.cpl
|
Power
options
|
|
Sysdm.cpl
|
System
properties
|
|
Wscui.cpl
|
Security
center
|
|
Wuaucpl.cpl
|
Automatic
updates configuration
|
GUEST ONLY NETWORK ACCESS
If you try and connect to an XP
computer and are shown a logins screen with only the computer name/guest, you
may need to change one of the local security policies:
- Go to control panel-
administrative tools
- Go to local policies-
security options
- Check the network
access: sharing and security model for local accounts
- Set it to classic-
local users authenticate as themselves
POWEROFF AT SHUTDOWN
If your computer does not turn off
the power when dong a shutdown, you may need to edit the registry. I have all
the correct BIOS and power settings and still needed to do this.
- Start Regedit.
- Go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\control panel\desktop.
- Edit the key Poweroff
active and give it a value of 1.
- You can do the same in
HKEY_USER\default\control panel\desktop.
REINSTALLING WINDOWS XP
If you need to reinstall windows XP and want to keep
all your current installed application and settings:
- Start Windows XP.
- Go to the location of
your source files.
- Run WINNT32/unattend.
I
have often need to do this to repair something that had gotten corrupted and
didn’t want ot do clean install.
Allowing Network Access With Blank
Passowrds
Although you can log in locally
without a password, by default, windows XP pro does not allow network users to
access the computer without a password. Typically you will receive an unknown
error 31 if this is the case.
To
change this setting:
- Run gpedit.msc
- Go to computer
configuration\windows setting\security setting\local policies\security
options
- Double click on
account-limit local account use of blank passwords to console login only
- Disable this option.
RUNNING SFC WITHOUT A CD ROM
If you run SFC/SCANNOW and get
prompted to insert a CD, there are a couple of changes you might need to make.
Slipstream you copy of window XP with the latest service pack you have applied.
For detailed UNSTRUCTIONS on how to do this see:
Once these files are on your hard
drive, you can simply make a few registry changes to point to those locations
Start
Regedit.
Go
to the following locations and change the path to wherever you copied the
source file.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Microsoft\windows\current
version\setup\service pack source path.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Microsoft\windows\current
version setup\source path the last one might not be necessary.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\Microsoft\windows
NT\current version\source path.
REPARING DAMAGED WINSOCK2
The symptoms when winsock2 is damaged show when you
try to release a renew the IP address using IPCONFIG. And you get the following
error message.
An
error occurred while renewing interface ‘internet’. An operation was attempted
on something that is not a socket. Also internet explorer may give the
following error message.
The
page cannot be display additionally. You may have no IP address or not
automatic private IP addressing (APIPA) address, and you may be receiving IP
packets but not sending them. From the XP source files, go to the support/tools
directory.
Winsock
test method 1
- Run
ntdiag/test:winsock
- The end should say winsock
test passed
Winsock
test method 2
- Run msinfo32.
- Click on the + by
components.
- Click on the by
network.
- Click on protocol.
- There should be 10
sections if the winsock2 key is ok.
MSAFD
Tcpip [TCP/IP]
MSAFD
Tcpip [UDP/IP]
RSVP
UDP Service provider
RSVP
TCP Service provider
MSAFD
NetBios [\device\netbt Tcpip..
MSAFD NetBIOS
[\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip...
MSAFD NetBIOS [\Device\NetBT_Tcpip
If
the names are anything different from those in this list likely winsock2 is
corrupted and needs to be repaired. If you have any 3rd party
software installed, the name MSAFD may be changed. There should be no fewer
than 10 sections.
To
repair winsock2
- Run Regedit.
- Delete the following
two registry keys.
HKEY_LOCAK_MACHINE\system\current
control set\services\Winsock.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\current
control set\service\Winsock
ADD SAFE MODE TO WINDOWS BOOT MENU
When in trouble on windows (not a rarity) you need to
boot into the ‘safe mode’, when you have to boot the machine, then pounce on
the F8 key to get to the hidden menu etc. Here how to simply add the safe mode
to the windows boot menu so you can easily select it while starting your
machine.
Some simple steps:-
- Right click my computer and choose properties (
or press windows key and break together).
- On the advanced tab, click the settings button,
which brings up the startup and recovery windows.
- Click the edit button, which will open the
boot.ini file in notepad.
- Look under the [operating system] for your
default OS. Copy the entire line, and paste it on the line below.
- Change the description in the quotations to say
‘safe mode’ or what ever description you want. Then add the following to
the end of the line you just copied: /safeboot: minimal/ SOS/ bootlog.
- If you want networking support, then change
‘minimal’ to ‘network’ without the quotes.
That’s it when you boot
you’ll see the safe mode listed under your boot menu. Just FYI, here is what my
boot.ini file looks like.
|
[boot loader]
Timeout=5
Default=multi(0) disk (0)
rdisk (0) partition (2) \windows
[operating systems]
Multi (0) disk (0) rdisk
(0) partition (2) \windows= “Microsoft
windows XP professional” /fastdetect
Multi (0) disk (0) rdisk
(0) partition (2) \windows=”safe mode” /safeboot: minimal /sos/ bootlog
|
Note that the stuff after the
“=” sign is the above example is on the next line, boot.ini it should be on the
same line. Be careful while editing your boot.ini.
Thank you
