Computer keeps rebooting but won't load windows XP UPDATED

patman99

Personnally, I use 'UBCD4Win', it boots into a CD-based version of Windows and contains enough programs to enable you to virus-scan your harddrive then transfer your files to an external drive.

The easiest way to transfer all your emails and account settings is to copy thre
'C:\DocumentsAndSettings' folder in its entirety.

xxdeebeexx

Donnie wrote: »

If you don't have the possibility or the bravery to remove the hard drive...

Back up your Documents and Settings folder using a Live CD; http://www.livecdlist.com/
A Live CD(for your intents and purposes) is an operating system(XP is one) that doesn't need to boot from your hard drive.
It will run in your system RAM.

You can also use a Live CD to scan for viruses without the need for removing the hard drive; http://www.free-av.com/en/tools/12/avira_antivir_rescue_system.html

This will allow you to move any invaluable information over to a USB Flash or external hard drive.

Then, if necessary, you can restore your PC. It may not be necessary, as there first two stages may have gone some way to solving your problem.

It's sounds as if you filled your C: drive until it could be filled no more, but that's just a guess as I have little info.

The Live CDs generally download as Image files, such as an .iso file. Download and save the file on the alternative machine and use a program such as Nero or ImgBurn to 'Burn the image to disc'.

You can try out any number of Live CDs to see which suits you best, as long as you have enough blank cds.

Puppy Linux may be a place to begin as it a relatively small download.

Thank you so much Donnie This is exactly what I did. It took me several evenings to grasp the concept. I downloaded Puppy Linux and it booted up my computer beautifully. A friend came over and helped me identify the files and did the 'poking around' for me. We saved the photos and files on a memory stick ready to put on dvd.

There are several other things I would like to save and will continue the process over the next couple of evenings.

Infact it was a very easy , and cheap way of rescuing my data....
I am pretty sure that my computer will work again once I reinstall windows.
I will buy myself an external HD !

Thank you so much everyone

Dx

spud17

Well done!

A good clear post by Donnie.

It makes you feel like a proper techie. No sarcasm implied or intended.

I bet you feel really chuffed, I love it with all the talk of cost of data recovery, when there's a good chance that all it needs is a bit of patience and a Linux disk.

The next step once you've recovered your data and got sorted is to install Puppy onto a flash drive, mines on a 1GB drive, you can then boot most modern computers, via F8 in my case, to a usable OS.

GUIDE HERE

I use it to see if a PC is working without having to stick in a disk drive or install a HD.

It's a great way of trouble shooting and impressing people with your new found skills.

xxdeebeexx

spud17 wrote: »

Well done!

A good clear post by Donnie.

It makes you feel like a proper techie. No sarcasm implied or intended.

I bet you feel really chuffed, I love it with all the talk of cost of data recovery, when there's a good chance that all it needs is a bit of patience and a Linux disk.

Thank you Spud ,I am pleased that the photos have been recovered but really disappointed with myself for not backing up my system. I have wasted so much time on this......
I am so grateful to the people who took the time to post as the impossible became possible!

Thanks again

Dx