How To Fix Windows XP

By: Dustin Lamb

Break Studios Contributing Writer

There are a lot of different methods as to how to fix Windows XP if the operating system becomes damaged. Windows XP installation disks allow you to run a repair installation of the operating system. This can be helpful if Windows is not booting or operating system files become damaged or are deleted. This way you don't need to know about complicated command line commands. Follow these steps to fix Windows XP.

What you will need:

Computer with Windows XP installation that needs to be repaired
Windows XP installation disk (for the edition that was installed)

Insert the Windows XP installation disk into the disk drive.
Have the computer boot from the CD. You may need to set this option in the BIOS of the computer. If you are given the option, press a key to boot from the CD.
When the installation loads, press enter.
Accept the license agreement.
The installer will look for the existing Windows installations. There should only be one in most cases. Select it and press the R key to have the installer repair the installation.
The computer will remove the existing Windows XP operating system files and replace them. This can take several hours, depending on your computer.
Answer the questions about your time zone and other options during the installation when you are prompted to do so.
Reinstall Windows updates by running Windows update. You may need to install a lot of updates, depending on how current your installation disk for XP is.