[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer pro help

Posted: 10/19/2008 5:34:18 AM EDT

Okay, my FIL's computer (which I maintain for him) has a problem. He was doing something to fix the auto-update settings on his computer, when I suspect the plug on the back of the computer came out (it was loose, and his description is consistent with this). Now the computer loads up the Windows XP login screen, then hangs up.
I can boot up on the Windows XP re-installation disc and get the recovery console, but what can I safely replace without totally f'ing the whole thing up. It has been YEARS since I did everything in DOS commands. Can I do the:

FIXBOOT
fixboot drive name:
Use this command to write the new Windows boot sector code on the system partition. In the command syntax, drive name is the drive letter where the boot sector will be written. This command fixes damage in the Windows boot sector. This command overrides the default setting, which writes to the system boot partition. The fixboot command is supported only on x86-based computers.
FIXMBR
fixmbr device name
Use this command to repair the MBR of the boot partition. In the command syntax, device name is an optional device name that specifies the device that requires a new MBR. Use this command if a virus has damaged the MBR and Windows cannot start.

Warning This command can damage your partition tables if a virus is present or if a hardware problem exists. If you use this command, you may create inaccessible partitions. We recommend that you run antivirus software before you use this command.

You can obtain the device name from the output of the map command. If you do not specify a device name, the MBR of the boot device is repaired, for example:
fixmbr \device\harddisk2
If the fixmbr command detects an invalid or non-standard partition table signature, fixmbr command prompts you for permission before it rewrites the MBR. The fixmbr command is supported only on x86-based computers.

Would that make sense?
Aren't all Intel x86 based? Even the pentium and whatever?
I already installed another OP so that he could use the computer in the meantime, but he cannot get access to all his old e-mail info and such (which is what he really wants).
Thanks

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer pro help

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer pro help

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer pro help