Can Windows XP be rescued?

[Jen123]

Hi,

I'm having a look at a Mesh PC that has been completely screwed by XP service pack 2. It just about boots up but explorer, installer, restore, nothing is working. Before I re-build it, does anyone have any ideas on how to repair Windows XP. This area is not my strong point, so forgive me if I'm a little vague!

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=875350&product=windowsxpsp2

 

[Jen123]

Thanks for this but have already exausted all of the options on this page. The NTUninstall hangs and the system restore errors.

 

[bcastner]

What happens if you do, as outlined in the second half of the article, Recovery Console to do the SP2 removal?

 

[bcastner]

I really strongly do not recommend a repair reinstallation of XP using a version of XP that is pre-SP2 on top of an SP2 installation, unless SP2 is removed.

In most cases XP will refuse the upgrade process at its start, citing that a newer version of XP is already installed.

You can force this, at your misery and peril.

Remove SP2. If Add/Remove programs brings no joy using Safe Mode, use Recovery Console.

 

[bcastner]

And, there is no ERD in Windows XP.

 

[linney]

Why is SP2 causing so many problems, were there any problems during its install?

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking; or run ChkDsk /r from the Recovery Console.


Use this next article to locate your SP2 logs and see if you can pinpoint any problems.

875355 - How to use the Automatic Recovery feature to recover your computer if the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Setup program is not completed successfully

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;875355&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

SP2 - Microsoft Support is Free for SP2 Issues
thread779-923312


If you wish to repair your SP2 Windows installation create a slipstream SP2 version from your original XP CD and use the created CD to attempt the repair of Windows.

Slipstream Service Packs
thread779-900263

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[Jen123]

Thanks for all of your advise, I'll have a go later on and keep you posted. Incidentally, there were zero problem during the install itself, however, once installed the pc would keep rebooting itself, this I fixed, using a download form Mesh's website. Chkdisk is one of the many things not working!

 

[linney]

or run ChkDsk /r from the Recovery Console."

Wont it even run from the Recovery Console?

How to install and use the Recovery Console in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH