Abort Windows XP Setup

Reniik · 10-03-2005, 06:49 PM

I've encountered a bit of trouble with an attempt to reinstall Windows XP after some slight damage to my registry. Basically, the computer is convinced that I do not have working drivers for my CD-ROM drives and so I thought reinstalling Windows XP would be a decent idea. I booted from the setup CD and allowed it to copy all the setup files to my system (no problem), then the system rebooted and attempted to initialize the setup process, but failed to do so because as soon as the setup began it defaulted back to the broken registry settings and thus it could not read the data off the CD-ROM drives. Moreoever, the setup process hijacked my Windows XP boot sequence. I have since figured out how to repair this problem, but it requires access to the registry, which I cannot get without booting the system to my desktop. So that leads me to my question:

Is it possible to abort the Windows XP setup and boot the system to my desktop as I was able to before beginning the setup process.

If not I will have to format, which is not a pretty alternative. Any help would be appreciated.

ivwshane · 10-03-2005, 06:58 PM

Boot off of the windows cd and instead of installing do a repair. It should drop you off at the command prompt. From there type fdisk /mbr. If all goes well this should restore your system to allow you to boot to the original installation (unless when you went through the initial setup you formated the drive).

Very rarely is a reinstall necessary and should only be used as a last resort.

If this doesn't work and a reinstall is the only option do you have another cd drive? I've had issues with windows installs using older cd drives but when I replaced the faulty drive with a new one everything worked good.

Reniik · 10-04-2005, 02:42 PM

FDisk is not accessible in the Recovery Console. It is not a valid command. This is Windows XP. If you were thinking of fixmbr, I am pretty sure that is not going to correct my problem- perhaps you misunderstood the issue. I had Windows XP installed when I went to issue the reinstall of XP, in doing so the default boot sequence of XP was overwritten. I need to restore the boot sequence to what it had been.

SoulAssassin · 10-04-2005, 03:13 PM

You need to run the "in place upgrade" by starting setup, hitting enter (IIRC) to setup XP, it'll locate your existing installation and then hit R to repair it. Once into XP edit your boot.ini for the boot sequence.

ivwshane · 10-04-2005, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reniik

FDisk is not accessible in the Recovery Console. It is not a valid command. This is Windows XP. If you were thinking of fixmbr, I am pretty sure that is not going to correct my problem- perhaps you misunderstood the issue. I had Windows XP installed when I went to issue the reinstall of XP, in doing so the default boot sequence of XP was overwritten. I need to restore the boot sequence to what it had been.

Nope I'm ment fdisk /mbr.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q69013/

I've used it many times in XP setups so I'm not sure why it's not working for you. Did you run the command from the recovery console?

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10-03-2005, 06:49 PM	permanent link to #1
Reniik Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 (#266 ) My photos: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I've encountered a bit of trouble with an attempt to reinstall Windows XP after some slight damage to my registry. Basically, the computer is convinced that I do not have working drivers for my CD-ROM drives and so I thought reinstalling Windows XP would be a decent idea. I booted from the setup CD and allowed it to copy all the setup files to my system (no problem), then the system rebooted and attempted to initialize the setup process, but failed to do so because as soon as the setup began it defaulted back to the broken registry settings and thus it could not read the data off the CD-ROM drives. Moreoever, the setup process hijacked my Windows XP boot sequence. I have since figured out how to repair this problem, but it requires access to the registry, which I cannot get without booting the system to my desktop. So that leads me to my question: Is it possible to abort the Windows XP setup and boot the system to my desktop as I was able to before beginning the setup process. If not I will have to format, which is not a pretty alternative. Any help would be appreciated.

10-03-2005, 06:58 PM	permanent link to #2
ivwshane Dont mess with old school Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 4,320 (#14 ) My photos: 56 Thanked 5x in 5 posts	Boot off of the windows cd and instead of installing do a repair. It should drop you off at the command prompt. From there type fdisk /mbr. If all goes well this should restore your system to allow you to boot to the original installation (unless when you went through the initial setup you formated the drive). Very rarely is a reinstall necessary and should only be used as a last resort. If this doesn't work and a reinstall is the only option do you have another cd drive? I've had issues with windows installs using older cd drives but when I replaced the faulty drive with a new one everything worked good.

10-04-2005, 02:42 PM	permanent link to #3
Reniik Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 15 (#266 ) My photos: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	FDisk is not accessible in the Recovery Console. It is not a valid command. This is Windows XP. If you were thinking of fixmbr, I am pretty sure that is not going to correct my problem- perhaps you misunderstood the issue. I had Windows XP installed when I went to issue the reinstall of XP, in doing so the default boot sequence of XP was overwritten. I need to restore the boot sequence to what it had been.

10-04-2005, 03:13 PM	permanent link to #4
SoulAssassin Vagina Friendly Mayor Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 3,376 (#25 ) My photos: 14 Thanked 1x in one post	You need to run the "in place upgrade" by starting setup, hitting enter (IIRC) to setup XP, it'll locate your existing installation and then hit R to repair it. Once into XP edit your boot.ini for the boot sequence.

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