PC wont start help please

carlih1

I have a very old desktop compaq (about 8 years) the hard drve has been replaced once and the memory expanded, a while ago, today i went to turn it on but it just stayed on the compaq screen is there anyway of getting my files off of this before it packs up completely.

It says on screen NTLDR is compressed?

Thanks x

AHAR

A quick Google turned up this:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/fastFaqLiteDocument?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00220758&product=12455

carlih1

thanks i tried that but it has not worked

fwor

If you just need to get your files off, do you have another PC that you could connect the hard disk to temporarily? Most PCs have a spare connector inside, provided the type of connector is the same (there are only 2 types in common use atm).

If you do this, the other PC won't care about the fact that NTLDR is compressed - it will just see your old hard disk as a second storage device which you should be able to access no problem.

carlih1

Can i do that with a laptop? x

fwor

Yes, with an adapter like this:

ebay.co.uk item number 250342392526 (why don't Ebay links work properly on here?).

If you know that your old disk is IDE (it almost certainly is) then then you might find an IDE-only adapter cheaper but beware, you'll need one with its own AC adapter.

[Deleted User]

What operating system is installed, and do you have the original media for it?

carlih1

Windows xp and no disk didnt come with disk when i bought it