Managed to mess up the desktop over the weekend.</p> I cannot now start up at all, a system file is missing.</p> Anybody know how I can make the computer start up from a windows xp cd?</p> Or know any useful sites for help.</p>
OK Sounds like you need to repair your Windows installation. I am going to assume Windows 2k or XP with valid product key (should be on a sticker on the case) here. Correct me if not. Put your windows CD in and restart the machine. When it reboots, when the Windows logo should come up it will either say "Press any key to boot from CD" (in which case press one!) or it will boot directly to a blue screen with Windows Setup in the top corner. If the Windows logo or the "windows did not load at lappears, restart again. You will need to press whatever key it says to enter Setup on the very first screen. A menu-driven program will open up navigable with the arrow keys, Page-up Page dpwn and enter keys. Somewhere you will have the option to choose the Boot Device Order. Make CD ROM the first device. Then press f10 to save ans exit (or find this option in the menus). Do not alter anything else unless you are sure you know what you're doing and if you're not confident, take it into a PC shop. Anyway, once you get to Windows setup, follow the prompts (ignoring the option for the Automated Recovery Console) until you get a screen listing available hard drives drives, one of which will say it has Windows on it. Select this drive and the next screen offers the chance to press R to repair the installation. Press it and spend the next half hour doing as you're told. If during setup it still tells you it can't find files, click Ignore. (this has happened for like 100 files in some cases but the repair still work) When setup is complete, if your system boots, great. If not it needs a professional repair. Good luck
If that doesn't work you need a complete reinstall which means you need either the recovery disk ? routine, or a complete install from windows disk plus you then heed all your drivers etc. Don;t forget to format the partition it is going on when windows asks. if its not a recovery job (HP. And other such named puters)
