Windows XP Problems, Fixes and Must Have Tools

Some of the must have tools to fix and prevent Windows XP problems are:

• Windows XP boot Disk
• Registry Cleaner
• Antivirus
• Antispyware

In this article, we are going to discuss this Windows XP tools and Windows XP repair methods that can help you maintain and error-free, healthy computer.

 

You may need the Windows XP boot disk if you are unable to boot your Windows XP computer due to some problem. Some of the common reasons that may prevent you from booting your XP computer are:

• Damaged or corrupt Boot sector or Master Boot Record (MBR)
• Boot sector virus
• Damaged or faulty Ntbootdd.sys driver
• Corrupt or missing Ntldr or Ntdetect.com files
• Corrupt or damaged registry

Boot disks help you start your computer in case any of the above listed problems prevent you from booting your computer from the hard disk.

Steps to Create a Windows XP Boot Disk

To create a Windows XP boot disk that enables you to access both FAT and NTFS partitions, perform the following tasks:

• Procure a blank, virus-free floppy disk and insert it in the Floppy drive of your computer.

Note: If you are creating the boot disk to fix a failed computer, you may have to perform these tasks on another Windows XP computer.

1. Open Windows Explorer, right-click on the Floppy driver letter, and then select Quick Format.
2. After the floppy is formatted, copy the following files from the Windows XP computer or a Windows XP installation CD-ROM to the floppy:

• Ntldr
• Ntdetect.com
• Boot.ini

3. Next, open the Boot.ini file in the floppy disk and specify the boot or the ARC path for your system. This path enables the Ntldr file to locate the boot partition information of your system.

Note: Given below is a sample ARC path in a Boot.ini text:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

On a system with SCSI hard drive, multi(0) should be replaced with scsi(0).

Steps to Use Windows XP Boot Disk

After you have created the boot disk, insert it in the floppy drive of the faulty computer and then boot it using the boot disk. Some of the tasks that you can perform when the system boots up are:

• Run antivirus tool to detect and remove any virus in the boot sector.
• Check the boot.ini file and repair it in case it is faulty.
• Perform Windows XP registry fix with the help of a registry cleaner tool.
• Repair or replace the Ntbootdd.sys driver or the Ntldr or Ntdetect.com files if they are missing or damaged.

Registry cleaner tools are quite helpful in preventing several computer errors. This is because over time the registry gets filled up with loads of unwanted and obsolete information. This causes registry bloating and then eventually fragments and corrupts the registry files. This bloated and damaged registry is one of the major causes of several problems such as computer slowdowns, computer errors, and computer failures.

If your Windows XP computer is bombarded with several computer errors all of a sudden, it might indicate malware infections. To prevent and fix problems due to malware, such as virus, Trojans, spyware and adware, you need to use antivirus and antispyware tools. Keeping these tools updated with the latest definitions and running them on a regular basis helps you keep your Windows XP safe from their harmful effects.

 

 

If you are a client of Your Computer Department and have any difficulty with this procedure, or you would prefer us to run this for you then please give us a call on 0115 8240825 or 01332 650660.
(A charge for support may apply depending on your maintenance agreement)