Windows Won't Boot and Can't Repair

[ben_is_sparky]

My computer now refuses to boot, after it was turned off while restarting. I don't want to have to do a complete re-install of the OS (Win XP Home), just repair it, and see if that's the problem. I have the recovery disk that came with it, and I've been looking up on what different options I have. The obvious one is to press enter to choose "Install Windows" and then "Repair Windows instasllation" But I don't get the list of Windows', only the list of partitions. I've tried the disk on this computer, which gives me the list of partitiopns and if I press Escape, I can see the list of Windowes Installations and have the option to repair it, which I can't do on the other one. Does anyopne know how I can get the repair option and the list of Windows Installations or why I don't have it. On all the guides and instructions I've found, it seems to be what they say you should do, and they seem to expect you to have the option. Why don't I?

[ExoVoid]

No idea why you don't have the option... Can you tell us what the error message is if you have one?

[grinch]

I'm guessing your getting the error of where Windows shows it's loading bar, and stops at right before the end?

If so, your going to have to reinstall windows, but you can still backup files using the recovery console cd.

[revelations1318]

usually reinstalling xp has no effect on any saved files. I've just loaded xp on top twice before with no problems.

[grinch]

Well no revelations, if you want to reinstall any OS on the same partition, the whole HD must be reformated.

[prstudio]

ben double check the repair option partition thing - i think that screen is asking "which partition is the windows installation currently on" so it can then repair it :)

[ben_is_sparky]

I've got linux running on a second HD, so I was able to back up all my stuff. (I've tried taking it out, and the problem is still the same) But I'll lose all my programs with a re-install, right? Even if I keep the actual data. My compyuter could probably do with startinbg again from scratch, it's full of rubbish. The thing I don't get is why it's different on one computer to another. Maybe it doesn't show a screen for existing windows installs if the one I've got is corrupted somehow so it doesn't recognise it?

And I'll double check the partition screen, but I'm pretty sure it's asking me where I want to install.