Couldn't start /then reinstalled xp twice/once on a zip drive

[Guest]

My father-in-law couldn't get his computer to boot. I told him to try to boot
from the disk. He went ahead and re-installed windows first on his zip
drive, then on his hard drive. Windows now will start, but all of his
programs can't be accessed. I told him I would ask for help.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Scott,

If it was a new installation, then he will need to reinstall his programs.
Only by doing this will the proper registry entries be created as well as
needed files being installed in the system folders. What he would do to
retain access to his programs and settings would be a repair installation as
described here:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

I'm sure he did a new install - he had to look up the product key numbers.
Can he go back and try the repair install? He says he has three different
window paths to pick from. One still doesn't work, and the other two are new
installs, one on his zip drive, he thinks.

Scott

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Scott,

If he boots with the CD and starts the installer, he should be presented
with an option to repair an existing installation. He would have to be sure
to pick to repair the original installation (though repairing one of the new
ones won't hurt anything, it'll just be a waste of time).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org