How to Fix XP Boot Problems

Boot problems can prevent you from loading Windows XP.

When you press the power button on your computer, the system goes through a boot process in order to start the operating system. Unfortunately, software or hardware errors can prevent the computer from booting Windows XP properly. The boot process may be slow, full of error messages, or it may prevent Windows XP from loading completely. In these cases, it's best to perform a repair installation of the operating system. The repair process will fix boot errors while leaving your files and settings on your hard drive.

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP installation disc

Instructions

1. Insert the Windows XP installation disc that came with your computer into the computer's disc drive. Turn off the computer.

2. Press the power button on your computer. Press any key when prompted on the screen in order to start the boot menu. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to choose the Windows XP installation disc from the list. Press the "Enter" key.

3. Press the "Enter" key at the "To setup Windows XP now" and "Welcome to Setup" screens. Don't press the "R" key when asked to use the Recovery Console. Press the "F8" key to agree to the license agreement.

4. Select the current installation of Windows XP from the list using the arrow keys. Press the "R" button to start the repair process.

5. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the repair installation. Enter the serial number that came with your Windows XP installation CD when prompted. When repair installation is complete, boot problems should be fixed and your data restored.

Tips & Warnings

• Although a repair installation should save all your old data, errors during the repair could affect files and programs on the computer. Just to be safe, back-up your data before performing these steps if you have access to the files.

References

• Microsoft Windows: Perform a Repair Installation
• Tech Spot: How to Repair Windows XP/2000 If You Are Unable to Boot Into Windows