Start windows xp from cd

If you can't repair a Windows XP system that won't boot and you don't have a recent backup, you can perform an in-place upgrade. Doing so reinstalls the operating system into the same folder, just as if you were upgrading from one version of Windows to another. An in-place upgrade will usually solve most, if not all, Windows boot problems. This screen will prompt you to press R to repair the selected installation or to press [Esc] to install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

In this case, initiating a repair operation is synonymous with performing an in-place upgrade, so you'll need to press R. When you do so, Setup will examine the disk drives in the system. It will then begin performing the in-place upgrade. Keep in mind that after you perform an in-place upgrade or repair installation, you must reinstall all updates to Windows.

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.

Once the format operation is complete, close the Format dialog box to return to My Computer, double-click the drive C icon to access the root directory, and copy the following three files to the floppy disk: Boot.

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By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Related Articles. Author Info Last Updated: June 4, If you no longer have a copy of the CD, contact your computer manufacturer for a replacement, or download an. Be aware of viruses, and know that you will still need to enter a valid Product Key to install.

Make a note of your Product Key. It is useful to have this handy before you start the install process. This key is a character code that you have to enter in order to install Windows. It can usually be found in one of a couple different places: Attached to the case your Windows XP CD came in, usually on the back. Attached to your computer.

If it is a desktop then it is usually located on the back of the tower. For a laptop, it is on the bottom. Reboot your computer. Your computer needs to be set to boot from the CD drive first. In order to do this, you will have to enter the BIOS setup.

The key is different from different manufacturers, but is generally either F2, F10, F12, or Del. The correct key will be displayed on the same screen as the logo. Set the 1st Boot Device as the CD drive. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

This will cause the computer to reboot. Start the installation. If you do not press a key, then the computer will boot from the hard drive as usual. Setup will load. With Windows XP, it's possible to repair the Windows startup without completely reinstalling it. To do this, you must use the recovery console accessible from the installation CD.

When your Windows XP computer no longer boot or doesn't start correctly , a very easy option to use is the "Last Known Good Configuration" option. To do this, when you start your computer, press the F8 key several times to display the Windows XP advanced options menu. In this menu, select the "Last Known Good Configuration your most recent settings " line with the arrows on your keyboard, then press Enter.

If Windows asks you to choose the operating system to start. Just press Enter, since in most cases there is only one operating system installed on your computer.

In this case, it may be necessary to load a driver driver English for Windows XP can manage. The Recovery Console is displayed. Select the language of your choice thanks to the directional keys and confirm your choice by pressing the "ENTER" key.

The list of Windows installations detected are displayed.