So, in this article I would like to explain how to do the correct recovery of Windows XP. You may already be able to somehow restore your system, but this does not mean that there is only one way. There are many options. Each is designed for different situations. It is also worth noting that each recovery method is different in time.
“ Windows XP”: System Restore.
To begin with, you need to determine what exactly is wrong with your OS, and what needs to be done to restore data. First, we try to press the F8 key while loading the BIOS. From the proposed options, select the one where it will be said about downloading with the last successful configuration. If it does not help, then move on.
We choose the boot option in safe mode. If you suddenly boot the system, then do not worry because the resolution of the monitor is 800x600 or so. Since in this mode the drivers are not loaded.
You need to do the following:
- Copy the most important information from the local C drive to another partition or flash drive. What files are important? For example, the desktop, my documents, various saves in games, program settings, and more.
- Try to find a problem where Windows just doesn't load. If you find, then try to solve it.
If it failed to boot, then continue to restore the Windows XP system using other methods.
Using the same F8 key, we again go to the menu we already know and select the item that says about disabling automatic reboot.
Why is this needed? This is necessary if you were not able to identify the problem that caused this situation. As a result of disabling the reboot, you will be shown a message that talks about the true reason for everything that happens.
Windows XP system recovery using the installation disk.
Having a disk with a copy of the operating system on hand, you can easily restore your data. But, if you cannot restore your operating system, then at least you can install a new Windows. Of course, if you install a new copy, you may lose all the data from drive C, but you can also avoid this. How? It will be said further.
Windows XP system recovery through the console.
First, try to recover data through a special recovery console. To do this, you will need to boot from the installation disk and select the appropriate menu.
So, the console started loading. You will be asked which OS to enter. If you have only one “Windows”, then enter the number 1 and press the “Enter” key. There are many commands in the management console that you do not need to know everything about. Just a few are enough. But if you are interested, you can enter Help. For a more specific consideration of help on a particular command, you need to enter a name and / ?.
There is a special function Bootcfg, with which you can restore the boot.ini system file if it was damaged or deleted. There is nothing complicated, just drive 1 everywhere and press Enter. A slightly crooked file will be created without the correct OS name, but it will work and the system will boot.
If the NTLDR file was damaged , then you need to use the fixboot command. This problem occurs when the boot sector or the NTLDR file that is responsible for the boot is damaged. It is located in the root folder of drive C (if it is bootable).
If your hard drive is almost "dead" and it slowly moves "from retirement to coffin", then you need to use the chkdsk function. With it, you will be restored (as far as possible) sectors on the hard drive, and then, perhaps, your "Windows" will boot.
Other recovery methods.
If all else fails, then you need to demolish your OS and install a new one. But first, try to restore your system (not through the console). This feature will be available at the time of installing Windows. There will be three options: install, restore, and cancel.
During installation, drive C will be cleared. If you select the restore option, system files and the entire Windows folder will be replaced.
But you can also do a simple installation, but without formatting. In this case, all the old data will be saved and a folder called “C” will be created in the root directory and your new OS will be there. Then you have to clean the garbage from the old copy.