Fix Startup Issues in Microsoft Windows XP using Windows Startup Disk
One of the most common methods to troubleshoot Windows XP start errors is to use a Windows startup disk. Windows startup disk is a floppy that can help you fix the problem that are caused when either the files that are used by Windows operating system to boot up or startup record for active Windows partition have got damaged.
You can easily create a Startup disk by using a working Windows XP computer. For this purpose, the computer must be similarly configured. To do so, insert the floppy disk in drive and open My Computer. Right-click the icon of floppy disk and choose Format option from context menu. When Format dialog box appears, leave all default settings intact and click Start button. After successful completion of format operation, click Format dialog box and return of the My Computer window. Access root directory by double-clicking the 'C' drive icon, and copy the below mentioned files to floppy disk:
Ntdetect.com
NTLDR
Boot.ini
After creating the Windows startup disk, insert the floppy in floppy drive of affected Windows computer and reboot your system using Ctrl + Alt + Delete. When you start your system using startup disk, it bypasses boot files and active partition.
In case you do not have a Windows computer with similar configuration, it is not possible to create Windows startup disk. In such situations, you need to format the hard drive and reinstall operating system to fix the problem. However, it removes all the data from hard drive and put you in need of Windows data recovery.
Recovery is possible using Windows partition recovery software. These applications recover partition in safe way with read-only and non-destructive conduct. The applications use high-end scanning techniques to ensure absolute recovery.
Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery is a powerful, yet easy to use application to recover lost Windows partitions. The software is designed for Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, 2003, XP, and 2000. It supports recovery of NTFS, NFTS5, FAT32, VFAT, FAT16, and FAT12 file system partitions.