BIG TROUBLE! COMPUTER not working! DEADLINE tomorow!

Donnie

Sheesh... try my last suggestion. If that doesn't work, try Little John's suggestion. You can always just switch the computer off if it's not doing what you wish.

Little_John

Just switching off at any point of setup is not a good idea.

I also think using a pro cd to repair home is not a good route to take.

Donnie I wish you had said it wasnt a standard windows cd I would have sent a back up of one of my windows cds,, I have 2 versions of XP home SP1 and SP1 and 2 versions of Pro both Service pack versions as well. even using the wrong service pack release disc causes problems if you use an sp2 disk to repair an SP1 install it will requires a valid cd key and activation at the end.

Donnie

I understand what you are saying, but it's not the case that the disc requires activation and a CD key..... and I did write that it wasn't the standard version of XP Pro.

Secondly, I don't think it will be a problem stopping the setup. XP will restart from where you left off when you turn on the computer.


There are reasons why I supplied that particular disc.

Anyway, the initial aim was to retrieve important documents immediately, either with Windows or with the Boot CD that I supplied, but progress is painfully slow.



I

Donnie

If all else fails, one can create a partition on the HDD and use the DOS version of Acronis True Image that I supplied, to clone the data on the HDD to the new partition.
He can then re-install XP using the disc supplied(he couldn't find his XP disc) and then retrieve any and all info from the new partition.
It's 'Hotfixed' with all of the Critical Updates until Jan 2007, so not many updates to download to get up to date.

ianian99

just install another ver of windows and install it in a folder called windows 2.
then you can get into your files

mr_flibble

I have been reading this post with interest.

Am I correct in saying that the main problem is that there are files on the pc that are urgently needed and windows has been corrupted but the op has access to a laptop to continue the work?

If so why has no-one suggested using a live linux cd such as knoppix. That'll boot up the pc in linux and from there it's just a matter of retreiving the files needed and copying to floppy / usb memory stick. Leaving fixing windows for another day.

If this is not the case just ignore me and I'll crawl back under my rock!

Kel.

Donnie

That was the initial idea as there was a deadline. So the first idea was to repair the original Windows installation. Sadly, we haven't got past that stage yet.
There are enough tools to do the job; http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hiren.thanki/bootcd.html along with a bootable XP disc.

I'm sure the live CD will work too. Problem is, the OP is already confused.

lazymoezy

Thing is I am not a techie person and dont know much about computers.

So, shall I install windows in a new area like above poster said calling it windows2? That should enable me to get into my files which I need.

Donnie

Which files do you need? We can attempt to copy them before you do anything else.
Either with the tools you have or with mr flibble's suggestion.

lazymoezy

They are all Word and PowerPoint files. Would like to keep a few pictures but not vital. Nothing else!