Re: XP Repair Installation

From: Sharon F (sharonfDEL_at_ETEmvps.org)
Date: 12/17/04 

Date: Fri, 17 Dec 2004 11:21:57 -0600

On Fri, 17 Dec 2004 11:13:25 -0500, William B. Lurie wrote:

> Related to this same area of operation, Sharon, I still have
> a few questions for which you might have answers. The 'HELP'
> info supplied in RC for fixmbr and fixboot is really minimal.
> Might there be some KB articles or text, telling what they
> really do, and how to use them?

A few links about the recovery console from the online copy of the XP
Resource Kit:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkd_tro_mnxp.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prmc_str_bjid.asp

> Note that FIXMBR says it is
> usable only on an X86 based system. I guess that anybody who
> might use FIXMBR would know whether or not the system is X86....

"X86" relates to a family of processors and describes a type of computer
architecture that has been in use for quite some time. Most, if not all,
home PCs fall into this category.

> But when placed as Master on the cable, BIOS set for HDD-0,
> it hangs at the blue logo screen that only says Windows. So I
> guess, not quite correctly, that FIXBOOT should fix the boot so
> that it will boot all the way. It does not, when alone on the
> cable, jumpered and set as Master, I'd like it to boot all the
> way, as it did before I moved the hard drive over.

I think this is where moving the drive comes into play and is working
against you. Forget the imaging factor for a moment. If you physically move
any XP installation, you are *very* likely to run into a situation where a
repair install is needed. Not only is the boot record a problem but all
internal links to a particular drive position need to be changed. FIXBOOT
only addresses the boot record.

Also... We're still missing a step between making the clone and moving it
so that it will boot from another position. I don't know what it is. It may
be something as simple as skipping the initial boot of the cloned drive
while it's in the slave position or it may be something more intricate. As
I said before, Bill, I don't even "go there" with my imaging software. 1) I
stick with the easier route of restoring to a drive that's in the same
position that the original image was taken from. 2) The overall method will
be similar in all imaging products but the steps to get there will vary. I
use a different product.
  

-- 
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User

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