Re-installing Windows 2000

Marty999

My friend's PC runs W2K but it has a problem and won't fire up into Windows. I was thinking of re-installing Windows from the original CD but I am a bit worried in case I delete his existing documents.

I know there are various options about choosing/creating partitions when re-installing operating systems, but which option should I choose? I need to be sure that I am not going to re-format his hard disk or delete his files. Thanks.

xio

Generally, if you create any new partitions or delete any existing partitions, all the data on that disk space will be lost.

Can you not boot into safe mode at all to recover documents?

ormus

you can reinstall and keep all your data. but its always a bit dodgy.
you can loose some or all of your stuff. so try and find it/copy it first.

a safer way is to,
get a copy of knoppix live cd. boot up into the cd, and then you should be able to access the hdd data and copy the req files onto other media.
then format and reinstall w2k.

GreenNotM

Options with what you have ..

install w2k into c:\windows2007 - or a directory that does not exist - get his docs off and back up. (may need to take ownership of files)

try a repair install of w2k - read the options - press the correct keys !

Giving the error message - in your post would help as well - how far does windows get in booting up ?

Marty999

Thanks for your input guys, I will check out his PC again in the next couple of days and report back.

Marty999

Right, here we go then with a bit more info:

1) When trying to boot up normally it gets past the white progress bar on a black background, and then displays a BSOD with a string of numbers and a message saying 'inaccessible boot device'

2) No it will not boot up into Safe Mode, the same thing applies as above when selecting 'safe mode'.

3) Have tried repair option - the PC will boot up off the installation CD and then gives me the choice of installating Windows, repairing, or exiting. I tried the repair option and then I can choose Recovery Console or Emergency Repair. The Recovery Console goes to a DOS screen and nothing seems to happen. The Emergency Repair option starts to work, it managed to find the files it needed but then reported that drive C:\ was corrupted and it could not continue.

4) message for ormus - I had not heard of Knoppix before but after a brief search it appears to be intended for Linux users. Am I right in thinking from your advice that I can burn a bootable CD that will allow the Windows PC to boot up, and then I can copy the relevant files off before doing a clean Windows install?