You will have to use a windows XP Pro SP3 install disk to do a repair install. You can't do it with SP2 after you upgraded to SP3.
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About Windows XP repair install - what to do when the previous installation is not detected?
My computer has/had Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (32-bit; English version) installed on it (only 1 OS; no crappy Vista; no dual-boot).
Until yesterday, everything was fine, but then, I (stupidly!) inputed registry errors (while I was trying some "registry hacks"). I was really unwary, since I did not any registry backup... I will never do this again, for sure!...
My problem is that my Windows became unbootable - it boots, shows the boot logo screen, and then "freezes" with a black screen (the screen becomes black and nothing else happens).
I have already performed a lot of Windows XP repair installs (on other physical computers and virtual machines), and I know, very well, the option to repair a previous installation.
The problem, now (and for the first time, to me), is that the option to repair my previous installation, simply "disappeared" - the setup cannot recognize the previous installation - therefore, the only apparent possibility is to perform a "fresh" (new) installation (losing all my settings)...
I really want to find a way to repair my previous installation, in order to keep my main settings OK!... What can be done?
Thanks in advance,
Best regards.
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Answers
that's about it : http://support.microsoft.c
i always do it when booted from a live cd, to make the copying things easier
this will work, if it finds your C:\Windows install
i hope you can get it running !
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by: MaffooClockPosted on 2009-09-23 at 18:03:27ID: 25409499
Typically, if you use a disc which is different from what's installed on the hard drive, the option to repair will be skipped (i.e., if your PC has an OEM version, but you're using a retail CD-ROM).
But in this case, perhaps it depends on what chunk of the registry you borked. I don't think the registry plays a part in whether the repair prompt is displayed or not, but I'm not sure. In short, are you sure you're using the correct Windows XP CD?