Cancelling Reinstall of Windows XP 1

[jimdevon]

I have looked, and could not find a solution for the problem I have. I was having problems with Windows XP Pro on my laptop. I decided to reinstall XP. During install, on reboot, I received an error message. Everytime it reboots, it reverts to install, then reboots, in a loop. I know I can edit the boot.ini file, but cannot get into the drive to accomplish this. I installed another hard drive and reinstalled XP. I then used my old drive in a case as an external drive. Can I edit the boot.ini file from Windows Explorer in my old drive?

Thanks in advance, Jim

 

[Rick998]

Let's see if I have this right... your original laptop HD shows errors when you try to re-install Windows XP but a replacement laptop HD works OK when you re-install XP?

If so, have you run disk diagnostics on your original HD to check whether it's at fault?

 

[linney]

Is you current install aware of the other damaged XP, can it see the drive and folders?

Are you showing both Hidden and System files via Folder Options?

Is it a Permissions problem?

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP (Q308421)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/21.asp

Error Message: "Access Is Denied" When You Try to Open NTFS File System Folders

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q823306#appliesto

 

[jimdevon]

Linny, Thanks for the info. It helped me to access my files on the hard drive. I can now import them to my new drive. I wonder if you know how I can access the boot.ini file on my old drive. This would allow me to repair it, which would mean I would not have to reinstall my programs. Thanks again for the help. Jim

 

[linney]

Is the old drive connected to this machine still?

I can only repeat what I have already stated. Make sure that Hidden files, and System files are shown and viewable via Folder Options (setting). You'll find it at Control Panel/ Folder Options/ View.

Also sometimes the Boot.ini is a Read-only file and that Attribute may have to be changed if you are manually editing it.

HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows XP (Q289022)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q289/0/22.asp

A Discussion About the Bootcfg Command and Its Uses (Q291980)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q291/9/80.asp

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

HOW TO: Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP(Q305595)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/5/95.asp

How to Use System Files to Create a Boot Disk to Guard Against Being Unable to Start Windows XP (Q314079)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q314/0/79.asp

 

[jimdevon]

Thanks again Linney. I finally decided to keep my new installation on the new drive and reinstall my software. It allowed me to start with a clean drive, since I install some software temporarily, which slows down my system. JS