If you are experiencing problems with your Windows XP installation, you may want to use your installation/recovery disc to reinstall or repair the operating system. Doing a complete reinstall will completely wipe your hard disk drive, so if this is the option you wish to use, make sure you have backed up all your important files prior to beginning this operation. The Repair operation, while not as thorough as the Reinstall operation, will not wipe the drive in its attempt to repair corrupted operating system files.
Step 1
Insert the Windows XP recovery/install disc into your primary DVD/CD drive.
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Step 3
At first, copy the content of the XP installation CD and save it in a folder named as XP (say) in the root drive, say āCā. Now, download Service pack 3 From Microsoft and save a copy of the downloaded file in a folder named as SP3 in the same location where the folder XP resides.
Press any key (when prompted) to boot from the disc once the XP welcome screen loads.
Step 4
Select your restore option. Choose 'Reinstall' to completely erase and reinstall Windows XP to your hard drive. Select 'Repair' for the disc to scan for and fix errors in your existing XP installation.
Step 5
Follow the onscreen prompts for the chosen option. You should have now successfully used your Windows XP System Recovery disc.
References
About the Author
Daniel Hatter began writing professionally in 2008. His writing focuses on topics in computers, Web design, software development and technology. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in media and game development and information technology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
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