Cannot boot into Windows XP, should I replace hard drive?

THE PROBLEM: I have not been able to boot into or use Windows XP (SP2) for almost 3 years. I have been using Linux instead for 3 years and am using it now. The Windows Recovery process only half works, it works up until you have to boot up the computer from the hard drive. Then it no longer works. The computer will load the files from the TOSHIBA Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD that came new with the computer onto the hard drive. But when you get to the point of booting off the hard drive, with newly added Windows & Toshiba files, nothing happens. It does not boot up into Windows XP. In fact I can see the newly added Windows & Toshiba fileson the hard drive when I boot into Linux (Live) off the hard drive.
THE HARD DRIVE (Specs below): I ran a SMART Data check using a Linux (Ubuntu) Disk utility on the hard drive and it passed everything except for Reallocated Sector Count. There are 20 bad sectors. I called the Toshiba 800 # on the DVD and they told me that the problem may be the hard drive. A new TOSHIBA Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD costs $40. Toshiba also said there is no Windows XP Recovery Console on the DVD. 
CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM: I think, and TOSHIBA agreed it is either the hard drive or corrupteD files on the TOSHIBA Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS: I have found a couple of sites that seem to have instructions for making a  Windows XP Recovery Console CD. And I have thought I might try to run some Windows XP Recovery Console commands  from such a CD, such as fixboot, fixmbr, etc. The try to see if I can boot into Windows XP from the hard drive. If I can, then that might suggest he problem is corrupted files on the TOSHIBA Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD. If I still cannot boot into Windows, then maybe I should replace the hard drive. This should be very easy to do.
QUESTION(S): Does anybody have any comments or suggestions? Does my approach sound good? Do you have any other suggestions?
I have a TOSHIBA Satellite L25 S1216 that I bought new in early 2006. It has a 40 GB (5400 RPM) Enhanced IDE (ATA-6) 9.5 mm height hard disk drive in it. User removable, i.e., it is easy to replace.
Thank you,
Bob
Solved!
Go to Solution.

My plan is to try to use the TOSHIBA Recovery and Applications/Drivers DVD to load the WIndows XP files onto the hard drive, then use the Windows XP Recovery console CD I downloaded from here
http://www.proposedsolution.com/downloads/download​-windows-recovery-console/ 
by using commmands such as fxmbr, fixboot, etc to see if I can get the computer to boot up into Windows XP.
Good plan, Bob!
   Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console for advanced users
A backup plan would be to obtain a Windows XP installation CD from eBay or wherever. They are super cheap now. Then you could install Windows clean and add the drivers and utilities from the website here. Or you could use it to repair-install Windows.
   How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
You are entitled to activate Home Edition for free. I understand that even after Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP (in April), they will honor activation attempts.
I wouldn't mess with SSDs. And stick with IDE PATA drives. You won't need to worry about advanced-format technology since that didn't come along until the very recent SATA drives. Your BIOS should support 120GB (KB303013).  Some here.
-Jerry

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    Now the next step is to update your AHCI drivers (in Windows) to the latest Intel drivers, so that your SATA device will actually work (and work properly).
    The latest Intel RST drivers can be found here:  https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=2306 0&ProductFamily=Software+Products&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=In tel%C2%AE+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel%C2%AE+RST)&lang=eng
    Download the 64-bit drivers (if you are running 64-bit Windows).
    After you install the latest drivers, and perform a reboot, your SATA drive should now work under windows.
    You can find a long detailed thread about enabling AHCI (in Windows 7) here:  http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=760482
    The thread listed above is a bit old/dated (2009?) but it does give detailed step-by-step instructions for those that want to enable AHCI (and get those two onboard SATA ports working in Windows 8 or Windows 7).
    I managed to get everything working in Windows 8, and I was able to enable AHCI in Windows 8, installed the latest AHCI drivers and I'm now able to use my SATA Blu-Ray burner in my 2008 Apple Mac Pro.
    Hope this helps!
    ->  Mark

  • Can't boot into Windows 8 Single Language 64 bit or access the BIOS screen with the F1 key

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    I'll see if another member of the team can jump in here and offer more help...
    What I might imagine is that you can only access BIOS from a cold boot. Windows 8/8.1 have hybrid shutdown and don't completely shut down the machine normally, so even when it powers off, it isn't fully off and the next boot is not really a cold boot.
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    As you suggest, it also seems as though you have set legacy vs UEFI and that may be why your drive is not currently booting.   Can you remove the battery on your system?  If not, is there a reset hole on the bottom?  Removing battery and AC and pressing and holding the power button several times, then re-attach AC and Battery and try to restart and press F1 to get into BIOS.  (Not familiar with models that use enter for BIOS).
    Mark
    ThinkPads: S30, T43, X60t, X1, W700ds, IdeaPad Y710, IdeaCentre: A300, IdeaPad K1
    Mark Hopkins
    Program Manager, Lenovo Social Media (Services)
    twitter @lenovoforums
    English Community   Deutsche Community   Comunidad en Español   Русскоязычное Сообщество

  • Creating a "Boot into Windows" button/shortcut

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    _Gandalf_ wrote:
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