How to Repair Windows XP Without Formatting Your PC

If you suspect that there is a problem with your Windows system files you can simply try to repair it before resorting to formatting.

 

Here is the step by step instruction to repair your Windows XP installation without formatting your PC.

 

1. First, insert your bootable Windows XP in your CD/DVD drive.

 

2. Restart your computer

 

3. When it ask you to press any key to boot from CD, Press any key on your keyboard. Proceed to step 6.

 

4. If it doesn't ask you, then restart your computer again.

 

5. Go to the BIOS settings of your computer, usually by pressing the delete key or F1, F2, F10 function keys, varies from different computers. Once inside the bios, you need to change the boot options. Change the primary boot option to CDRom. Save and exit.

 

6. A Blue screen will appear… just like the one you see below.

 

 

 

7. Choose "To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER" Do not choose to Repair yet.

 

8. It will then display your existing Windows XP copy. Make sure that is selected like you see below

 

 

 

 

9. Choose to Repair the selected Windows XP installation by pressing the letter R key on your keyboard.

 

10. Your windows will run to it's usual installation process, however, it is a lot quicker this time. But don't panic it will not wipe your files, it will just repair your system.

 

11. At some point you will be ask to enter the serial number and restart the computer.

 

12. When it finishes the setup your files will still be there but the Windows errors you had will not.

 

 

Thanks & Regards    

 

           Pravin K