system restore

[rebon]

Well my son has managed to wreck his pc operating system.
Basically when he boots up it just keeps doing that (boots up then boots up) so i tried safe mode, same prob, so i boots from the cd-rom with the windows xp disk in the drive and i have some options.

I tried the recovery option but it asks for a administrators password, yes you guest we dont know the password.

So can anyone advise me how to restore the operating system?
If i choose the install windows option will the files on the hard disk still be there, ie video drivers, sound card, games, ect?

If i remove the battery from the motherboard would that remove the password?

thx...rob

[Johnny Fist]

What OS?

[rebon]

windows xp

Well i seem to have re-installed xp into partition 1 oops **** my inpatience, having probs setting up the internet connection, i just carnt find it?

If i select the internet explorer icon i dont connect, also the pc locks up now when i re-boot but it allows me in in safe mode.

Think ill do a complete re-format and windows installation.. always fancyied a try

[Johnny Fist]

I would have suggested simply hitting Enter when it asked for the password. 9 out 0f 10 people don't ever bother with one when they set up their computer with XP.

[rebon]

Yes i did try that but i could not get in:mad:

How do you format a hard disk with xp on it? coz i reckon ill start from scratch.

[Johnny Fist]

Boot to the CD and do a clean install.

[dafordster]

yeah very easy with XP, just set ur computer to boot from the cd rom drive from the bios.

Then insert Windows CD and restart the computer. Select boot from CD and you will come to an options screen whereby you can set partitions and format them. If your hard drive is not partioned then I suggest you do this. Then - always save important documents to the partition that doesn't have windows on it. If this problem or other problems ever arise, it is simple to format the windows partion and reinstall without losing the important files...

Good luck!!
DAn.