First of all i apologize in advance if this has already been posted.

Many members on here experience all sorts of problems with not being able to get into Windows. Problems such as "Windows cannot start because the file ntldr is missing or corrupt" or "Windows could not start because C:\WINDOWS\System32\hal.dll is missing or corrupt".

In these cases a repair install needs to be performed to get Windows back up and running so that the user can then find out what caused the original problem in the first place. There are many guides out there on the internet, but non literate computers users may not understand what all the terminology actually means, so i have taken it upon myself to create this easy to follow guide.

OK first of all when your computer first starts up, you need to enter the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to change your computers boot sequence, in this case it Will be the CD Rom drive. See here for a list of keys to enter the BIOS relevant to your computers model. (e.g. Advent uses the Del key to access the BIOS).

OK now that you are in the BIOS, you need to change the boot order so that the CD Rom is the first boot device. To do this use the arrow keys on your keyboard and look for a menu called "Boot" or something similar and then change the order so that the CD Rom is the first boot device.

While still in the BIOS insert your Windows XP CD, and then save the changes and exit the BIOS.

When the computer restarts you will see a message displayed that reads "Press any key to boot from the CD" (Any key means Enter, Space bar etc).



You will then see a blank blue screen displayed, all this means is Windows is loading a bunch of files (these are displayed in the bottom right hand corner).



Once this is completed you will see another blue screen that says "Welcome to Windows XP Setup"

Press ENTER from this point and NOT R.



Press F8 to accept the License Agreement.




Hightlight the installation of Windows XP you wish to repair and press R



Windows will then make some checks. Then it will restart and you will see a message displayed that reads "Press any key to boot from the CD" Do not press any keys at this point, let it carry on what its doing.




The repair process will continue, and then restart and you will see a message displayed that reads "Press any key to boot from the CD" Do not press any keys at this point, let it carry on what its doing.



Windows will start and you can then work out what the problem is that caused you to repair.

Use the ABC. There are typoooos.

Where is it i cant for the life of me see where it is.

Is it possible to put up screenshots?

Yes i can put screenshots up if it makes it easier to understand.

great post, a lot of people that i know could use this, and please note anyone doing this but you will need to reactivate windows on its completion

EDIT: might i also add, to anyone who exhibits freezing during the installation of devices after the repair, it has happened to me several times, take out the disk, and tap F8 all through the boot, this way you know you will get the boot options, then select debbuging mode it has always worked for me