[sarahd5629]

I've got a Dell Dimension E521 running on Windows XP Media Centre Edition. My computer is booting OK, but when it gets to my Desktop the only thing that appears is my background. No taskbar or icons. Cursor moves but no fiunctionality and no keyboard functionality either. Also, I can't run the Task Manager, unless I'm in safe mode, but that's pretty useless to me as I don't know if it helps or not, but I thought I'd mention it in case it helps. Aside from being able to run the Task Manager, Safe Mode doesn't run any better than normal; no taskbar or anything.

I've tried repairing XP using the OS disk, but when it asks which Windows installation I'd like to log onto, I don't know what to put, there's space for 1 character and pressing Enter cancels the repair.

I appreciate any help, if possible I'd like to take a course of action where I won't lose my files, as I've got some very important (and irreplaceable) files on my hard drive. (Ironically, I had bought an external hard drive the same day as all this started with the intention of backing everything up.)

Thanks

[serverguy]

If you can't get anything to happen once you log in then you are right in trying to use the XP Repair Option.

By doing this, hopefully, you will be able to regain access to your files and copy them to you new Hard Disk. Then I would recommend a reformat and reinstall if possible to clear the computer totally. But this may not be necessary if it repairs well.

I've tried repairing XP using the OS disk, but when it asks which Windows installation I'd like to log onto, I don't know what to put, there's space for 1 character and pressing Enter cancels the repair.

Can you tell me what options it gives you on this screen. What Windows Installations does it offer you?

I expect you will be looking at a screen like this one



If so, then press the R key. If you have more than one option in the box where it says C:Windows...... then tell me what the other options are.

[serverguy]

Please post back with what happens once you do this because there are some important steps to do once you can get back into Windows.

[sarahd5629]

I'll give you details of everything, as far as I get.

• Start comp and press F12 to enter Boot Menu
• Select Onboard CD-ROM Drive
• 'Press any key to boot from CD'
• Windows Setup screen; Setup files loading;
• Options to set up Windows XP, Repair or quit.
• Press R
• 'Microsoft Windows XP Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer

1: C:\WINDOWS

Which Windows installation would you like to log onto
(To cancel, press Enter)?'

I then enter 1 and submit. The I'm asked to enter the Administrator password, which I do, then the following appears:

C:\WINDOWS>

I'm not sure where to go from here.

[serverguy]

I can see what you are doing wrong now. You are entering the Recovery Console rather than doing a repair install.

You have probably already done the first few steps before. I just reposted them in case anyone else was reading this with the same problem.

Step 1: Boot from your Windows XP CD. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD. Can't boot from your CD? Please see the note at the bottom of this page (Configuring Your Computer to Boot from CD).


Step 2: A blue screen will appear and begin loading Windows XP Setup from the CD.

When completed loading files, you will be presented with the following "Windows Setup" screen, and your first option. Select To set up Windows XP now,press ENTER.

DO NOT select Recovery Console.



When presented with the screen below. press the F8 key to continue.



Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

In your case, you want to repair and existing XP installation

If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.

Note: If you install a fresh copy, all data on that partition will be lost!



Your almost finished! Windows XP will appear to be installing itself for the first time, but it will retain all of your data and settings. Just follow the prompts, and have your CD-KEY ready if needed.