Re: Reinstall Windows XP System Files Only
- From: "Steve N." <Steve_N@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 10:23:44 -0800
Talahasee wrote:
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:56:04 -0800, "Lee Lord" <LeeLord@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I only have a black screen when turning on my Dell computer running windows xp. Yes the obvious I've checked. While booting up and hitting F8 I get "keyboard not detected" error so I can't even get into safe mode. I've called Dell and they're sending me a Windows XP disc which wasn't included with my new computer. I was told to change in the "setup" program from HDD first to CD first then reinstall XP from the CD. As I recall isn't there a way I can boot into windows from that disc and try a system restore? Or if necessary would an option be to install only the necessary system files instead of the entire OS so that I don't lose files I've saved? Also.... not that I know how to, but is an option to run "repair" from the CD? Suggestions anyone? Thanks you!
If you have a real, register able, full version of XP, you can select the "Install XP" item from the menu WITHOUT formatting your hard drive (and consequently losing your data).
A real OEM CD (not a lame Restore CD) is capable of doing this. And wtf is "register able"?
If there is too much damage to install a fresh copy of Windows XP over what you have (and thereby replacing the damaged/missing files), the install will tell you.
No it won't. Were do you come up with this? And around here "a fresh copy of Windows XP" is _not_ a Repair Install.
In a dozen attempts to install XP OVER a damaged copy of XP, I have succeeded something like 25% of the time.
Then you're doing something terribly wrong and/or dealing with hardware issues.
It IS doable, but not likely in many cases.
I've done scores of Repair Installs without incident. In fact I can't think of a single Repair Install that failed me. That is not to say something can't go wrong.
This is EXACTLY why you have likely heard from many sources "back up!"
That's always good advice.
For EXACTLY this reason, I have an EXTERNAL hard drive that is bigger than my OS. I keep both a copy of my most current OS AND several backup copies of my data on it.
If I have a HARD crash (frequently),
Again, there is something very wrong here. If you get frequent hard drive crashes look into the cause.
I just turn off my external hard drive (you need one with an on/off switch)
And I format and reinstall. Once I have everything running again (you can ALWAYS reinstall software)
I restore my data sets from my external hard drive, and I'm back where I started, almost faster than I can type this.
A complete system install takes under 3 hours, and I do it at LEAST quarterly. (I like a CLEAN machine).
Then don't get it dirty in the first place.
I also backup daily.
With a system like you apparently have I would, too. Seriously, you need to look into what is wrong with your box.
<snip>
Steve N. .
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- Re: Reinstall Windows XP System Files Only
- From: Talahasee
- Re: Reinstall Windows XP System Files Only
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