How to Revive XP
- 1). Insert the XP installation CD into the drive and reboot the computer. Press the indicated key as provided in the system startup messages while the computer is rebooting to enter BIOS, the "hidden operating system" of your computer.
- 2). Navigate to the boot menu once in BIOS. Highlight the "First Boot Device" and press the 'enter' key to bring up the options, then select CD-ROM. Exit BIOS with the 'esc' key and save your changes.
- 3). Move through the initial three screens of the Windows XP installation process. After you agree to the EULA (end-user licensing agreement), you will have the option to select between performing a 'repair' installation or a full reinstall.
- 4). Press 'r' to choose a repair installation. This will verify and rewrite all of the system files for Windows XP, repairing and reviving the operating system in its entirety. The process can take anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, so be prepared to spend time at the computer.
- 5). Repeat the procedure and choose the 'install' option where simply repairing fails to fully revive the system and cure the underlying problem. Do not delete the existing partition during the startup process, but simply reinstall XP over the same partition that is already on the hard drive. This will take longer than the repair procedure, but it will result in a fully revived copy of Windows XP so long as your installation CD is not damaged in any way.
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