Repair install is it safe

[garfabian]

Hello I'm trying to repair a Windows XP home edition system I have files which are in it and I dont want to loose them I was reading that if I do a repair install instead of a fresh all data is left in tact is this true has anyone experienced this? The reason I'm doing this is because I have gotten the BSoD(blue screen of dead)and the only way I can reapir is either reparing it in the startup menu when seting up windows but dont know the administrator password so the best way is to make a reapir installation any feedback is greatly apreciated thank you.

 

[gpalmer711]

In my experience I have never lost any settings or files after doing a repair installation of XP.

It is advisable to backup any important data as you never know what might happen, this is good advice any time though not just during an upgrade.

If you want to try and trouble shoot the problem you are getting instead of doing the repair installation then feel free to post the BSOD details.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[garfabian]

YEah I would rather troubleshoot and about backing up how would I do that I can even get it to start on safe mode same BSoD message comes up.
"A problem has been detected and windows has been shutdown to prevent damage to your computer.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
"

then at the bottom

"
***STOP:0x00000050 (0xE2100000,0x00000000,0x8060ABDF,0X00000001)

Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance."


Hope you can help otherwise I'll have to do a repair install.
Also what step can I take to backup the files I have.

 

[gpalmer711]

Common reasons for this error are faulty Ram or drivers,

Goto

http://www.memtest86.com/

and download the free checker, this creates a boot disk that will check your RAM.

If that shows up ok then in the BSOD that you get there should be some reference to a file, normally ending in .sys

Let us know what that file is.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[linney]

This may give you a few ideas.

Blue Screen Mxdisk.sys Page fault in non paged area
thread779-383531

 

[Lemon13]

slave the drive in another computer, take ownership of drive and backup your data first.
then do a fresh install.

 

[garfabian]

Its a laptop how would I be able to back it up. Thanks gpalmer711 I downloaded the software and have it running its taking a while so when its done I'll post a message. If I do a repair installation would I need the administrators password in order to do this. Thank you everybody the feedback given has been good. Oh I forgot that in the BSoD I dont get a file missing nothing except for that Paged memory thing.

 

[linney]

This thread talks about an Adaptor for your laptop to help you save files.

Mount an unbootable NTFS drive? !!HELP!! Tough one.
thread779-738178

 

[Lemon13]

you can buy 44 to 40 pin hdd adapter at the shop around the corner for ~5$

 

[gpalmer711]

If I do a repair installation would I need the administrators password in order to do this.

No you do not.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[garfabian]

Thanks I went out and bought the cable so that I can backup the data I'm just waiting for the memory test to be done how long those this take gplamer711? Well hopefully I can backup the data without any problems. Thanks alot guys.

 

[gpalmer711]

I believe the test will continue indefinatly, as long as the pass counter has got to 2 it should have run sufficient tests.

Greg Palmer
Free Software for Adminstrators

http://www.palmersoft.co.uk

 

[garfabian]

Yeah it went through the test and found no errors I took the HDD from the laptop and its a different connection to what I got so that I can transfer the files. I guess I cant backup the files. is there any other way?