Near "fool proof" procedure for repairing XP Operating System.

[SebastianWhite]

Hi,

As the cliche poverty-stricken writer, I do not have much in the way of money...

 

So over the years I have taught myself, and designed a system for avoiding having to spend considerable money on repairs! In fact, because my computer is often on from 7am ish to late... I used to pay out £100's of each year on these! Additionally, I found 4/5 technicians were not actually that good, and you are better usually doing it yourself in any case!

 

Nevertheless with a computer that is around 8 years old, and only cost around £120 originally - I have not had to take my computer to a technician, for around 4/5 years I expect. Over the years, I have developed the following system (which as now I am getting a new comp, may become unneccessary for myself - hopefully!) in any case, each one of these steps are placed in priority order, and take a path of commencing with the least invasive - to through experience I have found most promising results:

 

Hope they help, I just thought rather than dismissing these entirely, they may just help someone!!!

 

Obviously the last resort is fully reinstalling the entire software, but I do believe the steps will not only save money, but have proven to save much time.

 

 

Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve Comp Issues

and Avoid Full Reinstall:

From the least Invasive to larger More Comprehensive Steps.

 

1) Run Correction Programmes:

 

i) Anti – Spyware

ii) Anti – Virus

iii) Reg Fixes.

iv) Run Malware Bytes. Particularly good free programme, able to download from Hippo

 

2) Fixes problems on the whole on Re – start, if selected:

 

Start

My Computer

Properties

Tools

Check Now

Tick both boxes

Then Start

 

3) Disk Defragment.

My Computer

Properties

Tools

Check the second box here – Disk Defragment.

 

4) Run Progs fix: (Put in Window’s XP Disc!)

 

Start

Run

SFC (leave one space here)/SCANNOW (do not forget forward/slash before SCANNOW)

 

5) System Restore to an earlier date:

 

Start

All Programmes

Accessories

System Tools

System Restore - (choose a date, that is the most recent first – before the change you believe caused the problems!)

 

6) Possibly turn off system restore, and do a virus scan.

 

Beware you will lose your restore points, if you follow this course of action, but virus have been know to be caught up in this mechnism, so as a last resort - it is worth turning it off perhaps and scanning.

 

7) Windows XP – Repair:

 

Backup & save all My Documents and Word Prog’s to memory sticks.

Save any Documents on the desktop, such as maps and info.

Save AOL PFC & Favourites if necessary.

Save all Drivers on Driver Max if possible for easy reinstall.

 

See instructions but select the 2^nd repair option - on placing the Windows disc in, and switching to safe F5 mode.

 

7) Full reinstall of windows XP… see instructions.

Edited January 7, 2012 by SebastianWhite

[Joe C]

Nice write up Sebastian, but XP has been rode hard and put away wet.

How about something for Windows7 ?

[nigsy]

Moving to tips & tricks.

[kd5]

Nice write up Sebastian, but XP has been rode hard and put away wet.

How about something for Windows7 ?

Lot of folks still using XP Joe. Leave the Windows 7 tips for the next guy... -kd5-

[SebastianWhite]

I could do with tips for Windows 7, nevermind anything else.

[adam22]

Full install is always faster and guaranteed to fix the issues. I can get 7 installed and configured in about an hour for my customers...2 hours if they get data backed up.

[Bright boy]

Nice write up Sebastian, but XP has been rode hard and put away wet.

How about something for Windows7 ?

 

Maybe worth checking these tips out.

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/181926/top_20_windows_7_tips.html