My Win XP Home version does not complete the boot process after a power outage. The system performs POST and passes and then hangs on the XP logo briefly before prompting me to select from the menu choices start in safe mode,start regular etc... I have tried selecting each option and the system tries to load and leads me back to the option menu each time. I have checked the boot order and the hard disk is second to the cd-rom so I am thinking the MBR may be corupt. My questions are: 1. When Windows was installed NO admin password was set so I have nothing to enter to use the recovery console from the install disk. Is there a default passwword? 2. I tried a Win 98 bootdisk and typed "FIXBOOT" at the A:/ prompt attempting to repair the MBR...this did not work. Can "FIXMBR" or "FIXBOOT" be used from DOS on an NTFS formatted system? Do I have to change to the C:/ to run this command? 3. If I choose to reinstall Windows from my install disk does it erase my personal files and/or can Windows be installed over top the old system without removing my files keeping in mind I have to boot to the Win cd as I have not been able to get the current OS up and running? And help at all would be appreciated! TIA DJMike

1. blank 2. no 3. not if you select the option 'keep the existing file system (do not make any changes) ... providing your partition table is not corrupted. but try this first: Boot with the XP installation CD. When prompted, press R to repair a Windows XP installation. If repairing a host with multiple operating systems, select the appropriate one (XP) from the menu. If you have only one operating system, enter 1 to select it. Enter the administrator password if prompted. To fix the MBR, use the following command: fixmbr This assumes that your installation is on the C:\ drive. You will be presented with several scary warning lines the reading of which will make you want to say no. Microsoft is exceptionally vague regarding the conditions under which fixmbr can cause problems although they are clear about the consequences (losing all data on the hard drive), so use this at your own risk. Type y and ENTER to fix the MBR. Type exit to leave the recovery console and reboot. Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.' icq 10183575

if u dont have a password for administrator then the default password is nothing...go to recovery console when it asks for administrator password just press enter nothing else and try the following methods one by one first type boocfg /rebuild and press enter when it completes restart the system and see the results if it does not work then u can try fixmbr or fixboot from again going to recovery console......and at last option u have repair windows from the windows xp installation wizard if u dont have asr backup set..............

XP Home doesnt allow the R option. and you don't get a window where you can type fixmbr or fixboot. best of luck Frank :