[Desperateforhelp]

Received \Windows\Sytem32\Config\System errors. Found my way around it. Started Windows and started receiving "lsass.exe System Error: An invalid parameter was passed to a service or function." So, left with no other option I am now trying to re-install Windows XP. I get through the license agreement, then through a screen that asks to install a fresh copy of XP. Then I get to a screen that shows the single existing partition. The following options are available:

"To set up Windows XP on the selected item, press Enter.
To create a partition in the unpartitioned space, press C.
To delete the selected partition, press D."

I have no clue what to choose. Is there any option that will retain all my files and programs?
I chose to set up Windows XP in the existing partition. Then i'm given the follwoing options:

"Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)
Format the partition using the NTFS file system
Leave the current file system intact (no changes)"


My main question is if choosing any of these options will allow me to keep any of my files or programs? And if not, what do I choose to correctly re-install Windows XP Home Edition.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

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If it's OEM XP, all those options will wipe the machine.
F3 back out to restart, then boot off the CD again, press R on the first screen, then if prompted Option 1, any admin password you set and press Enter.
Then at the command prompt, type "CHKDSK /P /R" and press Enter. Leave it to run.
When done, type exit and try a Repair again, by pressing Enter on the first screen, F8 on the second and you should now have an R option on the third screen.

[Neil Jones]

If it's OEM XP, all those options will wipe the machine.
F3 back out to restart, then boot off the CD again, press R on the first screen, then if prompted Option 1, any admin password you set and press Enter.
Then at the command prompt, type "CHKDSK /P /R" and press Enter. Leave it to run.
When done, type exit and try a Repair again, by pressing Enter on the first screen, F8 on the second and you should now have an R option on the third screen.

[Desperateforhelp]

If it's OEM XP, all those options will wipe the machine.
F3 back out to restart, then boot off the CD again, press R on the first screen, then if prompted Option 1, any admin password you set and press Enter.
Then at the command prompt, type "CHKDSK /P /R" and press Enter. Leave it to run.
When done, type exit and try a Repair again, by pressing Enter on the first screen, F8 on the second and you should now have an R option on the third screen.

thanks for the help. i did that before and it didnt work. and somehow the administrator password for recovery console that was just blank is no longer valid. so not being able to access recovery console, and having the lsass.exe system error I was left with no other option but to start over for scratch and give it all up. thanks again though!