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WIN XP; has disappeared!

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It doesn't boot from DOS. It boots first, before your machine has any OS on it. You don't install DOS first; simply have your motherboard boot from the CDROM first, and it will start the installation of the OS. When prompted to "Press any key to boot from CD" you must do so.

I don't understand "since I see nothing in WIN, it is useless" ??

In any case, here's the process if you have a copied XP CD that isn't bootable: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941/en-us --- simply download the XP boot floppies, and that will let you start the process as well.

 
Thanks for that information.
I just downloaded the MS program and will try to run it and make the 6 floppies.
Of course, if it is a WIN program, I wouldn't be able to run it as my screen is BLANK and I can see nothing in Windows.
My BIOS is set as boot from CD but my WIN XP CD MUST be run from Windows as it is an upgrade.

Len
 
Your upgrade edition CD is fully bootable. All of them are if retail. You boot straight from the CD. The Microsoft KB articles make this clear.

You must boot from the 6 (boot) floppies - they will do all that are needed to kick off the install of XP.

The only scenario I'm familiar with in which a retail XP upgrade CD is not bootable is if the CD is copied incorrectly, doing a program-based file copy rather than a disk-based copy. Original from-Microsoft CDs would not have this problem and would be fully bootable.

Is it possible the message is flying by so quickly you don't see it? You must press a key in about 5 seconds once prompted.

 
Originally posted by: dclive
Your upgrade edition CD is fully bootable. All of them are if retail. You boot straight from the CD. The Microsoft KB articles make this clear.

You must boot from the 6 (boot) floppies - they will do all that are needed to kick off the install of XP.

The only scenario I'm familiar with in which a retail XP upgrade CD is not bootable is if the CD is copied incorrectly, doing a program-based file copy rather than a disk-based copy. Original from-Microsoft CDs would not have this problem and would be fully bootable.

Is it possible the message is flying by so quickly you don't see it? You must press a key in about 5 seconds once prompted.
Click to expand...


He is correct, ALL of the XP CD's are bootable....they have to be for reasons other than just installation.
 
Thanks,

I'll keep trying and try to get it to boot.

I appreciate your interest and help with my problem.

Len
 
I finally got into the "R" function for XP. Then, typed in my ADMIN. passord.
Then, got a C:\windows prompt.
Don't know what to do after that.
Any suggestions??

Thanks,

Len
 
I have no video in Windows. I do have it when I boot to DOS and the monitor is good as I tried it on my laptop and it works fine.
My system boots but when it get to WIN, it is completely dark. I hear the sounds, etc but no video. I have to exit with win key; u and u.

I need help to get my video back.

Len
 
Originally posted by: lybush
I have no video in Windows. I do have it when I boot to DOS and the monitor is good as I tried it on my laptop and it works fine.
My system boots but when it get to WIN, it is completely dark. I hear the sounds, etc but no video. I have to exit with win key; u and u.

I need help to get my video back.

Len
Click to expand...

Safe mode and VGA mode both do the same thing, you've said.

What happens with another video card in there?
 
Exactly the same. I substituted a PCI video card that I was previously using before the AGP card and still no video in Win.
Something must be missing and I just want to Repair my XP Pro installation but do not know how.

Len
 
If you're dead-set on getting into this system, you could back up all the registry files (sam, system, software, security) in c:\windows\system32\config, and then copy the originals from c:\windows\repair to c:\windows\system32\config, and then (if this is a registry problem) that should allow you to boot. At that point you can do all kinds of Windows things, but the core issue is still the same - your registry has an issue, and you don't have backups.

Why don't you have any System Restore points? That would let you fix this in 5 minutes. ??
 
Originally posted by: dclive
If you're dead-set on getting into this system, you could back up all the registry files (sam, system, software, security) in c:\windows\system32\config, and then copy the originals from c:\windows\repair to c:\windows\system32\config, and then (if this is a registry problem) that should allow you to boot. At that point you can do all kinds of Windows things, but the core issue is still the same - your registry has an issue, and you don't have backups.

Why don't you have any System Restore points? That would let you fix this in 5 minutes. ??
Click to expand...

Read the full post. He can't run in safe mode nor VGA mode with his current card nor a plain PCI video card. He also can't get his system to boot from his XP CDROM.

At this point, he could try to restore his registry using recovery console....if he could get the PC to boot from the XP CDROM. But the task is a bit daunting for the inexperienced:

Link to MS Restore Process
 
I did read the full post. He can get into his system from the restore floppies, as you can see from his post about 6 posts "up", so he can do the process I listed there. I'm not sure why you're asking me to read the full post. Can you elaborate? He currently has enough working so he can do the process I listed, and the link you provided to the restore process gives even more detail on that process.
 
My bad, I see he got the Rconsole prompt. He should restore his registry using the process in my post from there. Chances are, his backup copies are old, so things will be a mess if he does get his video back. I really think he should just format the drive and reinstall Windows at this point, since he can boot from those disks, he should be able to run setup.
 
I'd like the OP to tell us why he doesn't have System Restore points to go back to. That would have fixed this problem in minutes.

Black Viper's sites and suggestions are NOT a good idea and should NOT be followed. System Restore capability is A Good Thing and should be left running.
 
🙂

Hi All,

Thanks for all this information. I'm through the first 2 parts and have the system going again. However, on that 'system vol. info' I don't have any old files there to restore. Just the new ones I made today. So, if I can, I'll eventually go to my backup and see if I have any files there to get. If i do, I hope to get my system back to almost where it was.

I'm having a problem getting out of the Admin. logon to my old one but will keep trying.

Thanks very very much for these latest suggestions. I am very grateful for your assistance. How do I get rid of that boot up to WIN XP recovery at boot time? i'd just like to start in XP Pro.

Len

 
Did you install the recovery console to your hard drive? I don't understand. IIRC you booted from floppies to get to the RC - if so, just remove the floppy from the drive - problem solved.
 
No, I didn't use the floppies. I had to install WIN 98 SE so I could get into Windows and then used my CD to upgrade to XP Pro. At the boot up, I pressed 'R' and then tried to repair but got no place. After I read the previous posts and checked the link, I was able to restore the original 'registry' or whatever those 5 files are.
Now, when I boot I get 3 options: win 98; win xp pro and the third which is keep installing WIN XP or press 'r'. BTY, WIN 98 SE gave me back the video so I could see the screen.

I will eventually remove WIN 98 SE but I don't want that istall XP option on the bootup screen.

Can I just change BOOT.INI in C:\? I saved the old one before I added 98SE and started the upgrade.

Len
 
I have absolutely no idea what you've done. But yes, if you're getting choices for OSs at bootup, just change boot.ini appropriately.

 
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