How to Run the Windows XP Repair Command
Computer users rely on their operating systems to function properly. When something happens to prevent an operating system from functioning, being able to repair it is of the utmost importance. Users of Windows XP can take comfort in knowing that their operating system comes complete with a built-in repair command, and more important, that the Windows XP repair command is relatively easy to use. Repairing a damaged copy of Windows XP may take a little time (approximately as long as a standard Windows XP installation, as the repair process will be overwriting the damaged or corrupted files of the existing operating system), but the repair ensures that there is no risk to existing files or programs that you may have installed.
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Instructions
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Open your CD or DVD drive and place your Windows XP installation CD in it. Reboot the computer, allowing BIOS to load.
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Press a key to boot from the Windows XP installation CD when the "Press Any Key to Boot from CD" message appears. This will prevent your standard bootloader from attempting to launch Windows XP and will start the Windows XP setup program.
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Press "Enter" on the "Welcome to Setup" screen to enter Windows Setup. Do not attempt to start the "Recovery Console."
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Press the "F8" key when you reach the Windows XP licensing agreement to accept it. If you do not accept the licensing agreement, the setup program will exit and your repair attempt will be aborted.
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Choose the installation of Windows XP that you wish to run the repair command on from the list that appears after the licensing agreement has been accepted. If you only have a single copy of Windows XP installed (as is likely the case), there should be only one option available to you.
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Press the "R" key to launch the repair command and start repairing the selected installation of Windows XP.
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Wait while the repair command deletes old Windows XP system files and copies new files onto your hard drive. The Windows XP setup program will appear to be installing a new copy of XP onto your computer, but it will not delete or otherwise affect any files or programs that you have installed; the only files that are being affected are the Windows XP system files themselves.
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Choose your settings and follow the on-screen prompts to continue the repair installation process. Allow the computer to reboot once the repair installation is complete; remove the CD from the drive or wait for Windows XP to launch on its own after the reboot.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to finalize the repair installation and reestablish your user accounts after Windows XP boots. Your copy of Windows XP should now be fully repaired.
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Tips & Warnings
If you had Windows XP service packs or other updates installed, you will need to launch Windows Update to install them again, as these updates are removed when the system files are deleted by the Windows XP repair command.
