Windows XP Recovery
From BleedingEdgeWiki
Milestone 0: Do you want to check for malware infestation?
Run a HijackThis scan and parse the log at a site like this:
http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english#anl
Milestone 1: Windows XP System Restore
- Article for end users - Do I Still Have to Use Backup?
- FAQ
- MSDN article written in 2001 for techos
Milestone 2: Booting Windows into Safe Mode and carrying out minor repairs
Get to Safe Mode by resetting the PC, waiting for the BIOS messages to appear and clear, then pressing and releasing F8 furiously. You will greeted by a black screen with white lettering - these are your options.
- Safe Mode allows you to boot to a reduced colour, reduced resolution GUI - you can use Windows Explorer to delete files that are normally locked (e.g. known virus files etc...)
- Safe Mode Command Prompt allows you to boot to an old fashioned text screen so that you can type commands to delete files, rename files.
- Last Known Good Configuration allows you a chance to recover from the most recent config change or driver change.
Milestone 3: Using the Windows Recovery Console
The Windows Recovery Console can be launched from the Windows boot CD or if you have previously transferred it, from the Windows hard disk as one of the boot options.
Essentially, you get a command prompt with less commands than normally available. It allows you to carry out some focussed tasks and does not feature any "click-your-heels and you're back in Kansas" restorations.
Milestone 4: Non Destructive Windows XP Rebuild
Whilst System Restore brings back registry settings that you or the system saved some time ago, it is not comprehensive enough to repair, rebuild Windows on a file by file basis if:
a. you have migrated to new hardware and disk controllers have changed.
b. you have somehow trashed the video software subsystem.
c. you have deleted system files
Fred Langa has this walkthrough for a standard Windows repair back to the time of your original Windows install CDs.
http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897
Micheal Stevens has another:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
After you complete it, you will need to re-apply all Windows security patches.
Note that this procedure "should" give keep registry settings and files of installed programs that are not Windows core. Meaning you probably will be able to run your installed programs.
Milestone 5: Restore Windows from your system backup or hard disk clone
You did make a full system backup? Yes?
http://www.bleedingedge.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8052#8052 That's the benefit this procedure has over a from-clean partition-format-install.
In all cases, make sure your data, documents, passwords and whatever you want to keep safe are saved away before you carry out the procedure.
Milestone 6: Install Windows XP from Scratch
More Info:
