laptop won't load windows

pc10

My daughter has a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop running windows XP.

When I switch it on, I get a message about a problem starting windows and it gives me the option to start in safe mode etc or to use last known good configuration or start windows normally.

Choosing any of these options does not work. it tries to load windows but then just seems to get stuck and stop. I can't turn the machine off with the power button, I just have to either remove the battery or disconnect the mains lead.

I have run Dell diagnostics and it lists a few errors.

As far as I know, I should be able to reinstall the original set up with Dell using Ctrl and F11 however there are some documents and pictures that my daughter has not backed up and would really like to be abe to keep.

How could I go about using another PC to boot up the laptop in order to save these files?

Hope someone can help

Browntoa

use the other PC to download Knoppix

http://www.knoppix.org/

and burn it to a disk

then boot to that and recover the files you need by copying them to a usb drive or by connecting a LAN cable between the 2 PC;s

Little_John

You could also try a repair of windows.

put the windows install disk in the drive and let the laptop boot to the cd and begin setup you will get 3 options
install windows
repair
exit
try the repair option and then let it find the existing windows installation and repair it. dont use the console restore use the other option.

pc10

Thanks for the replies.

I don't have a windows cd so the 2nd option is out.

I am now downloading knoppix - am I right in thinking that this will allow the machine to boot up from that cd, then I need to save whats on the machine and then do the Dell recovery thing to bring it back to its original state?

Little_John

if knoppix doesnt work then the option is to remove the drive and plug it in to a pc either with an IDE convertor or make the drive a USB drive again with an convertor. if your local to me (Bolton) let me know and I will help you out

Quincy_3

Little_John wrote:

if knoppix doesnt work then the option is to remove the drive and plug it in to a pc either with an IDE convertor or make the drive a USB drive again with an convertor. if your local to me (Bolton) let me know and I will help you out

$$ ........... :whistle:

pc10

Cheers - unfortunately theres lots of water between me and Bolton!

I am now downloading Knoppix which is slow - will give it a go first of all.

Thanks

Little_John

Pay my expenses and I will come over and sort it out for you, I will still sort it out for free

pc10

hah - i wish!

Still waiting for Knoppix to download using utorrent - tried to use the mirror sites but got nowhere there!

Theres no such think as just a simple take out the laptop harddrive and plug it into the pc is there?

Quincy_3

If you have a spare IDE cable and the correct power supply fitting then yes, but thats a few more quid

Little_John

yes there is a connector that you can buy, I have one

Ebay link