Recovery Disc

fifeken

A friend's PC has crashed following a power surge and won't even reboot in Safe Mode. Can I make a recovery disc that will work for him on my system - both are running XP? If this is possible, any instructions would be appreciated. If not, any other ideas to help him out?

kwikbreaks

No.

You could download Ubuntu to see if it will boot from the live CD and you can read the hdd.

If that won't work then it seems that the hardware is trashed.

If it does then it probably just needs windows repairing but you'll need an install disk to do that (even a less than legitimate one of the identical operating system will do the job but obviously you'd be on your own finding one as we can't post links to hookey software)

mongoose2009

it might work
depends on the hardware (chipset is the most important)
most recovery disk are designed for a specific hardware
but XP is pretty tolerant and it will probably load up and you will will get at least a working system
remember you'll lose all your data on the system
if it does work then you'll need to download all the drivers from the manufacturers website

Donnie

fifeken wrote: »

A friend's PC has crashed following a power surge and won't even reboot in Safe Mode. Can I make a recovery disc that will work for him on my system - both are running XP? If this is possible, any instructions would be appreciated. If not, any other ideas to help him out?

Home or Pro?

John_Gray

You might consider buying a USB external disk caddy to hold the hard disk removed from your friend's machine, so that you can look at it from your PC. You'll then be able to tell whether it is in a fit state to have Windows reinstalled on it...

fifeken

Donnie wrote: »

Home or Pro?

Mine is Pro - not sure about the other system.

Donnie

fifeken wrote: »

Mine is Pro - not sure about the other system.

You'll need to know. Has it got a Windows XP CoA sticker on the outside? Which brand of PC?

Hiren's Boot CD is useful. Make sure that you click on the correct download link.

fifeken

Donnie wrote: »

You'll need to know. Has it got a Windows XP CoA sticker on the outside? Which brand of PC?

Will try to find out tomorrow.

Donnie wrote: »

Hiren's Boot CD is useful. Make sure that you click on the correct download link.

I've just been on this site but can't find the links I think I'll need. They might be staring me in the face but can you give me a pointer in the right direction?

googler

John_Gray wrote: »

You might consider buying a USB external disk caddy to hold the hard disk removed from your friend's machine, so that you can look at it from your PC. You'll then be able to tell whether it is in a fit state to have Windows reinstalled on it...

Seconded.

It will also allow backup of data files from the HDD, if it should still be in working condition.

Donnie

fifeken wrote: »

Will try to find out tomorrow.
I've just been on this site but can't find the links I think I'll need. They might be staring me in the face but can you give me a pointer in the right direction?

Go to the Download page...

Toxteth_OGrady

If you have a spare bay in your case take his disk out and put it in yours as a slave. Saves buying a caddy.

:cool:

TOG