Repair the installation of Windows XP in Virtual Machine both ordinary and Boot Camp based

Question

How to repair the installation of Windows XP in virtual machine (both ordinary and Boot Camp based)?

Answer

The Windows XP installation CD which you use for repair, must be of the same version and service pack as guest OS installed in the virtual machine, otherwise you may corrupt your system. Please read the article how to integrate (slipstream) Windows XP Service Pack 3 in installation CD.

For Windows XP virtual machine that uses a virtual hard disk:

1. Open virtual machine configuration.
2. Under Hardware section click the CD/DVD-ROM to open its settings.
3. Make sure that Connected option is checked and Source/CD/DVD-Rom is set to Default CD/DVD-ROM or model of your CD/DVD-Rom is select in the list. Also if you are using an .iso file, choose it from this menu.
4. Choose the Boot Order in the left column and set the CD/DVD to the first place.
5. Insert the installation disk in the Windows XP CD/DVD drive in your Mac and start the virtual machine.
6. Windows should ask you to press any key to boot from the CD, click in the virtual machine window to capture the keyboard input and press any key.
7. The configuration of Windows must start the Setup process, wait until it is fully loads and then press Enter (Return).
8. Press F8 (or Fn + F8 keys on the Macbook) to accept the license agreement for Windows.
9. Now Windows should scan your VM to install Windows. Wait until the end and click R to repair the existing installation.
10. Wait until the end of the repair. Skip new account creation as you already have one.
11. Try restarting Windows. Reinstall Parallels Tools.

For the virtual machine that uses the Boot Camp partition as a hard disk (Parallels Desktop for Mac only):

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Boot Camp Assistant.
2. Select Start the installation of Windows.
3. Insert the disc to install Windows in the CD/DVD on your Mac and restart your Mac.
4. Once you are prompted, press any key to boot from the CD of Windows.
5. The configuration of Windows will start loading, wait until it is fully charged and then press Enter (Return).
6. Press F8 to accept the license agreement for Windows.
7. Now Windows should scan your VM to install Windows. Wait until the end and choose to repair the existing installation.
8. Wait until the end of the repair. Skip new account creation as you already have one.
9. Try restarting Windows. Re-install Parallels Tools.