Computer completely messed up. I need help ASAP!

[Nuclear Krusader]

One of my clients called me today. She was using the PC I sold to her last december when the power interrupted. When it went back on, the PC displayed the screen that XP displays when you don't turn off the PC properly. The one that lets you select between safe mode, safe mode with net support, safe mode with prompt, the last working config and start Win normally.

Whatever option she selected the PC kept on rebooting itself in a continuous loop. So I went to see the machine and tried to start with the WinXP CD. It starts OK and enters the installation program where there is the Recovery Console option.

Problem is, I don't know how to use the console. Can somebody help me with that?

Also, what do you think happened with and to her computer?

Is there a way I can fix it without reformating?

All the help you can give me is very much appreciated.

TIA

[ZANEY123]

Using Recovery Console Commands
After you’ve logged on to Recovery Console, you can type help to see a list of all available commands. Type help commandname or use the /? switch after a command name to learn its syntax. Although many of Recovery Console’s commands are similar to those used in the Windows XP command interpreter (Cmd.exe) and its MS-DOS predecessor (Command.com), the Recovery Console versions of each command typically offer fewer options (switches). these commands do not accept wildcard specifications.

Table 25-1 summarizes the commands available from the Recovery Console prompt.

Table 25-1. Recovery Console Commands Command Effect

Attrib Sets or clears attributes (Read Only, Hidden, System) for a single file or folder

Batch Executes commands from a text file


Bootcfg Automatically scans all local disks for Windows installations and configures and repairs entries in the operating system menu (Boot.ini)

Cd or Chdir Changes folders

Chkdsk Checks and, if needed, repairs or recovers a drive; marks bad sectors and recovers readable information; requires that the

Autochk.exe command be located in the %SystemRoot%\System32 folder or on the Windows CD

Cls Clears the screen

Copy Copies a file

Del or Delete Deletes a single file

Dir Displays folder contents and attributes for all files in the specified folder, including hidden and system files

Disable Disables a service or driver

Diskpart Manages the partitions on basic disk volumes; note that this command is not the same as the one available at a normal command prompt and should never be used with dynamic disks

Enable Enables a service or driver

Exit Closes the Recovery Console and restarts the computer

Expand Extracts a file from a compressed (.cab) file on a local disk or removable media such as the Windows CD

Fixboot Writes a new partition boot sector onto the partition you specify

Fixmbr Repairs the Master Boot Record of the specified disk, usually the system partitionFormat Formats a primary partition, volume, or logical drive using the file system you specify

Help Displays a list of all available commands

Listsvc Lists all available services and drivers and their current start types

Logon 2000 Lists all detected installations of Windows XP,

Windows, and Windows NT and allows you to choose which installation you want to log on to; if you type an incorrect password three times, the system restarts

Map Lists drive letters, file system types, partition sizes, and mappings to physical devices; intended for use with basic disks only and may return inaccurate information when used with dynamic disks

Md or Mkdir Creates a new folder or subfolder in the specified location

More Displays a text file, pausing at each screenful; use the
Enter key and the spacebar to scroll through a file one line at a time and one screen at a time, respectively

Rd or Rmdir Removes folders

Ren or Rename Renames a file

Set Displays or modifies Recovery Console environment variables

Systemroot Sets the current folder to the %SystemRoot% folder of the current Windows installation

Type Displays a text file

that is the commands you asked for

Zaney123

[Nuclear Krusader]

That list is useful. I'll print it.

But, no clue as to what could be the problem?

Also, I made the mistake of adding a new boot sector to the main partition. Now everytime it boots it displays the menu where you must select the OS you want. Of course it only displays an entry. How do I fix dat?

TIA

[ZANEY123]

once you get it running you can just edit the boot.ini under

system>advanced>startup and recovery>settings> edit then just delete the second winxp if not sure just post what yours shows and we can adjust.

maybe run a HD diag to make sure it is okay,probally isn't,never know.

???

Zaney123

[Nuclear Krusader]

Thanks! Will do dat tomorrow as the machine is in the store.