Windows fails to boot.

okay i hit recovery now im in a screen that looks like a dos prompt.

i have a C:\ _

thats all that has happened

this is the exact screen i have:

Microsoft Windows XP (TM) Recovery Console

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

C:\ _

okay at this point we have a few options -> tell me what you want to do and I will walk you through it.

A) Repair installation: Running a repair install of Windows XP can be a handy way of fixing the installation of XP without having to start totally over and deleting important data from your PC

B) We can try just fixing your boot sector and MBR, or replacing ntloader and see if that works.


Just let me know if you want to try some trial and error methods, because we don't know exactly what is causing the errors, or just do a repair install, it won't hurt anything to try a few things. you can actually type HELP at that screen to see all the codes for the different stuff we can do

i guess we can go the repair install method first.. if that doesnt work then trial and error it is.

i guess whatever gives me the best chance of not having to reload all my music and risk losing all my files that arent backed up.

To reinstall, not a full reinstall, just a repair reinstall

Type Exit

Reboot

At the welcome screen, choose enter.

Once at the license agreement, press F8.

At the next screen, choose to repair the selected Windows XP installation by pressing R.

The files will begin to install and then your PC will reboot. During the reboot you will be presented with option of booting from the CD again by pressing any key. Don't press anything. Allow it to finish the install without booting from the CD again.

For the other method I would try typing FIXBOOT at the c:\

Another repair that is quite common is FIXMBR

To replace the Ntldr file type COPY E:\i386\NTLDR C:
(E: is your CD rom drive so if its D: for cd rom use that)

NTLDR is missing.

Press any key to restart.

so i restarted and tried to replace the Ntldr file type using the instructions you gave me and it says: Access is Denied.

i also did the FIXBOOT already

sorry I left a step out because ntldr is a protected file type

you need to type:

Attrib -h -s C:\ntldr (to remove the protection)

Then the copy command

After the copy you need to type:
Attrib +h +s C:\ntldr (to add the protection)

The system cannot find the file or directory specified.

Do you have your windows product key, 25 digits in sets of 5?

for the disc yeah.

it told me earlier that the ntldr file was missing

ok, well that was the error part of trial and error. Looks like its time for repair install. Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system! However, the system repair function will remove any updates you have previously installed that are not included on the CD. Drivers will also be reverted to their original XP versions, as well as some settings (network & performance settings may sometimes be reset to their defaults). It may be necessary to reactivate your Windows XP as well. When finished, you will have to download all of the updates from Microsoft Windows Update, because they are all replaced during repair.

Also note that system files becoming corrupt is sometimes a result of malicious software and this repair install isn't removing everything off of your drive so the malicious software could still be present so after you are up and running I recommend that you run through the malware removal steps here on the forums, I will provide a link after we get you back on track.

restart your computer.

instead of pressing R this time press enter

press the F8 key to continue from license agreement

Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.

Note: If you install a fresh copy, all data on that partition will be lost!

Windows XP will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all of your data and settings. Just follow the prompts, and have your CD-KEY ready if needed.

a Repair Install will leave your system vulnerable. You can get infected within seconds. Do not go on line until you have enabled XP's firewall first.

Then run Windows Update!

no previous windows installations were found... yay.

um, its telling me to insert my NT, Me or some other kind of windows install disc to ensure that i qualify for the upgrade....

thats right after i accept the EULA

Did you select fresh copy?

i never got to taht option.. i hit enter to install it, the eula pops up i hit f8 then it tells me to insert my old disc