Do Not Alter File System Does Not Equal Repair Install...Help!!!

Here's what I did, I tried to do a repair install but due to ignorance and sleepiness I kinda hit Enter to install Windows XP and then chose the Install without changing the file system option instead of hitting the Repair (R) button on the screen where I hit enter. Upon booting the old files are still there but obviously programs do not work even though I can find their program files (since filesystem was untouched). When I reboot the system I am given a list to choose which operating system I would like to choose and it shows Windows XP Professional twice, so I'm guessing the original OS install is still there somehow. Is there any way I could go back and do a Repair install the original OS install so that the programs still work and then delete the new install I mistakenly made with the "Install without changing the file system option"?

It would be great and save me a lot of grief. But this is a lesson to you all, don't try to install Windows in the morning when you're half asleep and can't even half concentrate on what the hell you are even doing.

 

No, I am afraid that does not mean there are two different operating systems. It merely means there are two different (likely identical) entries in boot.ini.

Your old install is gone. I've never tried to recreate an old installation after doing what you've done. I realize the contents of Documents and Settings and Program Files are still there, but they have been altered to some degree and the Windows directory has also been altered as well.

It might be worth trying to restore the prior registry by diving into the SYSTEM VOLUME INFORMATION folder and extracting an old restore point, but I seriously doubt it would work

 

So I ended up salvaging all the documents I needed and was able to salvage the old documents and just reinstalled Windows. Next time I wil read the directions more carefully!