i want to reinstall xp on a computer without losing all the data on it, so i want to use the repair option.
however, when i get to the part where it asks what volume of windows i want to repair i type 1. no problems. then it asks me for admin password, which im not sure what it is as i ve removed all passwords for all users on the computer?
Its quite misleading. When you boot from the XP CD and get the first menu, you have to press enter to install windows. Then choose the partition your current install is on.
The installer will detect that XP is already installed, then you press R to do a repair install.
First repair option takes you to the recovery console. You can perform a repair installation via the recovery console too. Recovery console allows you to perform advanced, hardcore repairs in the system. Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console you can have an idea about recovery console there. Very useful indeed.