XP Partition problem

[charlescpc]

I had Xp Home edition on my machine. I had it formatted with NTFS.
I was going to set up another partition for XP PRO and try it out.
I didn't get the option to created another partition like i thought I would so I backed out of the install.

So the message I got was that fat table or partition was messed up now.
Tried to restore the master boot record from a 98 startup disk .

I installed Linux cause it will let you adjust partitions with no damage.

Checked and all my windows directories are there and I got a master boot record from linux with the widows options in it but it won't boot.

ANy ideas on how to restore the partion and get XP to boot again.

I'm doing everything I know before doing a destructive format and reinstall.

Should be some way to get it back

[NooNoo]

Seems your only hope would be an inplace install. Get your XP home cd, boot from it and allow the setup to run ALL the way till it asks you which partition you wish to use. At that point there is a repair and existing install option, take that and it will install and repair as necessary. Normally you will not lose anything, however you may need to take ownership of your previous documents.

Taking ownership kb is here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421)
Good luck!

[charlescpc]

Seems your only hope would be an inplace install. Get your XP home cd, boot from it and allow the setup to run ALL the way till it asks you which partition you wish to use. At that point there is a repair and existing install option, take that and it will install and repair as necessary. Normally you will not lose anything, however you may need to take ownership of your previous documents.

Taking ownership kb is here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421)
Good luck!

I just went ahead and did a full format and reinstall.
I tried to pick a partition and do a repair but it put me in the c:\windows directory with some programs and after running some program trying to repair the master boot record. I had to start from scratch. I couldn't get it up in NTFS I kept getting errors when windows was trying to load files. I had to get it up with fat32 and I'll convert over later. Boy what a mess I really had it messed up and what killed me was all my directories were still there but i couldnt get them. I'll think I'll run in Fat32 for a while NTFS isn't as forgiving.
Thanks for the response Noo Noo
Now got to load programs and drivers...