How to use Windows XP automated system recovery during an OS failure

In the event of a total Windows XP system failure, besides the usual XP system restore utilities, one might try running the good and old Windows automated system recovery (ASR). It recovers the operational system to the status of the system backup creation date. The ASR utility only works if you have previously made Windows XP backup, using the same Windows XP backup and restore wizard. Assuming that you have already saved your XP system backup in another hard drive partition or another media, and your recovery information floppy disk is ready, let’s get on to running Windows XP system recovery.

Step 1.
Insert your Windows XP installation CD into the CD – ROM and restart the computer.
Boot from CD – Rom. If your primary boot device is set to hard drive, change it to CD – ROM via BIOS. (Press delete, F5, F2 or any other key assigned by your computer manufacturer).

Step 2.
Follow the on screen commands to boot from CD. When the blue Windows setup screen appears, wait for the message “Press F2 to run automated system recovery (ASR)…”, and press F2 as soon as you see it.

Step3.
When the message “please insert the disk labeled: Windows Automated System Recovery Disk into the floppy drive” pops up, insert the floppy drive that you had made during the XP system backup process.

Step 4.
The setup will start formatting your system partition without any prompt. Make sure, you have the Windows XP backup file in another media or partition. The XP installation – like process will start, but don’t worry, it won’t last long – at one step the Windows automated system recovery wizard will appear.

Step 5.
Press “Next” on the ASR Wizard screen and browse for the backup file that you had saved. You will see the message “Completing the automated system recovery wizard”. Press “finish”.

Step 6.
The XP ASR progress window will appear and your XP system recovery will be finished in a few minutes, depending on the computer speed and the size of backup file.