Member Avatar for pdsmith84

We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent harware or software change might have caused this.

Start in safe mode.
Safe mode with networking.
Safe mode with command prompt.
Last known good configuration setting (most recent setting that worked). Start Windows normally.

No matter what option I choose, it comes back to the same screen. I put in the Windows XP cd and tried to repair, but all it does after that is:

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer:

And I get the C prompt...

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Phil

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reported that the machine keeps returning to the Windows startup recovery choices and that booting from the XP CD drops to a Recovery Console prompt (C:>). That means the CD reached the text-mode Recovery Console rather than continuing into the setup/repair path. (learn.microsoft.com)
Microsoft: How to use the Recovery Console

Clarification about the CD options (this ties back to ’s suggestion): the XP CD provides two different repair routes — the Recovery Console (text-mode, C:\ prompt) and a repair (in-place) install. The in-place Repair Install is reached by starting Setup (press Enter to set up), accepting the EULA, and then choosing the existing Windows installation and pressing R when Setup offers to repair it. The partition-selection screens that ask about creating or deleting partitions are part of a clean install path and will overwrite data if partitions are changed. If the partition screen already appeared, do not create/delete/format partitions unless prepared to lose data. (support.microsoft.com)
Microsoft: Repair-install guidance — Lifewire: Repair install how-to

When the Recovery Console prompt is available, the usual, non-destructive troubleshooting sequence is to check and repair the filesystem and then repair boot records/boot configuration. Common Recovery Console commands (run from the C:\ prompt) are:

chkdsk C: /r
fixboot C:
fixmbr
bootcfg /rebuild
exit
  • chkdsk C: /r scans for file-system errors and bad sectors and attempts recovery.
  • fixboot writes a fresh partition boot sector.
  • fixmbr repairs the master boot record.
  • bootcfg /rebuild rebuilds the XP boot.ini entries if they are missing or corrupt. (learn.microsoft.com)

Notes and cautions: if chkdsk reports many bad sectors or the drive makes mechanical noises, the hard disk may be failing — stop and image/back up the drive before further repairs. If the goal is file recovery, a bootable rescue environment (WinPE/BartPE or a Linux live CD) or removing the drive and attaching it to another machine is safer than proceeding with partitioning or a clean install. If Recovery Console commands do not restore boot, the in-place Repair Install (the R option during Setup when the existing installation is listed) is the next step — but only after ensuring data is backed up. (learn.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for mikeandike22

ok when you load the cd tell it to do a new windows installation and then later on it will ask you if you want to restore your previous windows installation you will have to hit R and that should work.

Member Avatar for pdsmith84

i did try that.

What happened is it went to the screen asking me to parition drive c:


does that happen before it asks me to install or repair the exisiting xp? i was scared to move beyond the partitioning part

Member Avatar for mikeandike22

it should ask you after and you should select a part that says use existing windows installation.

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