You will not be losing data if u do this right

1.Boot to the recovery console

 

 

Boot the Computer with the OS cd in the cd rom-> press F12 for advanced options -> select IDE CD DRIVE ->when you get PRESS ANY KEY TO BOOT FROM CD press some key on the kybd->after this you'll get to a screen where you'll be give two options  here presss R for getting to recovery console”

When it does choose the version of windows to logon to press  “1” on the keyboard

It would then ask for a password. Enter for none, as by default there is no password for Administrator Account.

It would boot to the “C:\Windows” prompt.

 

2.Copy the Registry from a backup using the Snapshot method.

 

At the “C:\Windows” type CD \ ¿

 

Then at “C:\” prompt type CD SYSTEM~1  ¿ 

 

At the “C:\SYSTEM~1\” type CD _RESTO~1 ¿

 

At the “C:\SYSTEM~1\_RESTO~1\” type dir rp*. *

 

(There would be a lot of folders by the name RP1, RP2 etc. Look for the highest numbered RP folder. We would work with the second highest numbered rp folder. For e.g. if highest is RP33 we would work with RP32.)

 

At the “C:\SYSTEM~1\_RESTO~1\” type CD RP32 ¿

 

At the “C:\SYSTEM~1\_RESTO~1\RP32\” type CD SNAPSHOT ¿

 

AT the “C:\SYSTEM~1\_RESTO~1\RP32\SNAPSHOT” type as follows:

 

Copy _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SAM \windows\system32\config\SAM

Copy _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SECURITY \windows\system32\config\SECURITY

Copy _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SOFTWARE \windows\system32\config\SOFTWARE

Copy _REGISTRY_MACHINE_SYSTEM \windows\system32\config\SYSTEM

Copy _REGISTRY_USER_.DEFAULT \windows\system32\config\DEFAULT

 

(Note: don’t forget the period before default)

Welcome to the forums :emotion-21:

 

I know this is a common xp problem, and to repair you use an xp disk.  Can I use an xp disk?

 

Since you know it can be repaired with the help of a XP disc, I don't understand why you then go on to ask if you can use a XP disc?

 

Just borrow the XP disc from someone? 

Better still... if you know someone with the exact same version of Windows XP, ask them to make a copy for you :emotion-55:

It's perfectly legal to use a copy, as long as you use your own licence key - which will be stuck on the system somewhere (it's on the bottom of laptops).

 

Thereafter... request backup discs from Dell :emotion-5:

Thanks man, this worked like a charm.  Everything is running well now.  I used Linux (cd boot) to access my hard drive and pull off my critical files to my external just in case, then did the fix.  Thanks for the practical help man! Didnt lose a thing!

 

Jay

Any time bro. . . am glad that i could help

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR