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Startup disk for windows xp?

If I use this will it get rid of everything on my computer? All my music and pictures and such

Update:

The power cut off while my computer was restarting and now it only shows that /windows/system32/config/system is missing or corrupt. I tried restoring it to a previous date and it did nothing. It says at the bottom of the screen to use the startup disk, but I dont want to loose my stuff. Help please.

5 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    yes if you format all the data will be lost

  • ?
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    nero and roxio the two have an option to create an .ISOcontinual, in case you like initiate diskette then format the diskette and you will have an option to make a initiate once you go with the format to format the diskette, yet you could not get right of entry to the DOS decrease than homestead windows XP or greater recent, Microsoft closed the get right of entry to for DOS after homestead windows ninety 8

  • 1 decade ago

    You can attempt to repair this file by starting windows setup using the original setup CD-Rom. Select "r" at the first screen to start repair. Do NOT use an OEM "Recovery Disc". Only a valid Windows XP media will work or a disc from the OEM that says "Operating System" may sometimes work depending on how the manufacturer labeled the CD.

    Solutions:

    Since this is a re-write of the original article I figured I'd go about this differently. Please read through the entire article before trying any of the solutions/options listed below. Also, these options are in no specific order EXCEPT for Option 1. If you feel up to using any of the options to repair this error I implore you to please go through Option 1 first. Other than that, the other options you can go through at your discretion.

    Since some of the information in here, if used incorrectly, could case permanent damage to your system, be aware that neither I, nor the websites, their owners, moderators, members, or hosting providers can be held liable for any damage done to your system while using the information provided. This material is here for informational purposes. Use this document and all methods here at your own risk!

    Recovery Console

    The Windows XP Recovery Console1.

    The Recovery Console is a command line console (you know, MS-DOS like window) that allows you some access to your computer (basically, your crashed computer...sorta like Windows 98 boot to command prompt only). It's not full of features but when you're in a jam it does a great job. It's not necessary to pre-install the Recovery Console but it does help.

    To enter into the Recovery Console you have two options:

    1.) Reboot the computer and before the Windows Logo screen appears tap F8. If you're lucky, you'll have the option to boot into Recovery Console.

    2.) If you're not lucky enough to have the option to boot into Recovery Console via step one, find your Windows XP CD and boot from it. Once it loads the files it'll ask what you want to do. You're going to select the "R" option to repair the pc via Recovery Console.

    Once you get into the Recovery Console it'll ask which Windows install you want to use. If you're a regular computer user there should only be 1 listed (Usually listed as 1. C:\windows ) if you're a more "advanced" user there might be more listed. It is assumed you should then know which one to boot into if you know how to setup a multi-boot system.

    After selecting the Windows installation you would like to boot by pressing the respective number you will be asked for the Administrator's password. It's time to enter it.

    Please note:

    There is a built-in “Administrator” account when you install Windows 2000 or Windows XP. When entering the recovery console that is the password the recovery console is asking for. It is not asking for the account you created during install or the one that you generally login to. Unless, of course, you're logging into the built-in administrator's account which is not a good idea. If the password was/is blank then you shouldn't get a prompt asking for a password. It'll just load into a C:\> prompt. However, if it asks for a password and you don't remember setting one then there is a known issue with OEM versions of Windows XP and Sysprep (don't worry about sysprep, for another time) with administrator's passwords. If that's the case, then just visit this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308402/en-us website to download and use updated Windows XP Setup Floppies for your version of Windows XP. If by chance you have forgotten the password, I'm sorry, we can't help you recover it. You can, however, read option 3 or 4 for a way to repair your computer.

    Option 1

    Firstly, it is in my belief that since you're having issues loading a file (the windows registry is a database of files, so yes, it's a file issue) that you could also be having an issue with your hard drive. I also believe that since that that your drive could be going bad it is best to determine if that is the case or not first. The reason behind that is because the more you read/write from the bad drive, the more of a possibility you have of losing important information by causing more irreversible damage to the drive by reading and writing to/from the drive.

    What I recommend to do first is to read an article by steamwiz on how to backup your files from an unbootable computer. That article is located at http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Computer_Basics/H... Tip, in the article, steamwiz mentions a linux live cd named Knoppix. If you follow the article and download Knoppix please make sure to download knoppix version 5.0 or higher, it may help you later in this tutorial. After backing up your files, find out your hard drive manufacturer by opening the side of the case. All you have to do is look at the drive label and find out who makes it. More often than not you will

  • 1 decade ago

    I think you mean recovery disc yes you will lose everything because it puts pc back to factory settings like when you first got it.Try to partition your drive first or burn discs of what you want to keep then restor usb sticks.

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  • 1 decade ago

    I think below link is useful for ur question. if you can follow their instructions how to do that, then you can find the solution for it.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

    Thx

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