Dell computer - loading software

wazza

Sister has a Dell PC. For some reason it will not start up properly. When you switch it on it loads up XP Home but then a blue screen appears saying that a file is missing. Have put in the Dell recovery disc to do a repair but it then asks for administration password which we do not have or forgotten.

Do not wish to reinstall XP in case we may lose certain files.

My idea is to replace the existing harddrive. Doing so am i right in saying that i have to get a copy of XP Home? That the Dell repair/restore disc will not work?

Once i have loaded XP Home onto the new harddrive my next step is to locate the missing file on this drive. Will make note of where it supposed to be.

Next step is to add the old hard drive as slave. Start the PC. Then i will copy the missing file from the new drive to the old. Switch off PC. Make the old drive master and disconnect the new one and start it up.

Will this work?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

albertross_2

is the missing file ntldr

try no password

wazza

i had it written down but mislaid it. Someone told me it could be one of the start up files.

Am seeing my sister tomorrow so will know for sure.

albertross_2

not sure which disk you have, if it is asking for the admin password is sounds like XP.

See if you can get into the recovery console, and do a

chkdsk c: /F/R

(unless you have left a CD or floppy in the drive and it trying to boot from it).

mattogier

If you have another machine with access to the internet get a copy of Knoppix (search on google for a where and how) CD/DVD bootable - this is a Linx OS that will run from the CD/DVD and will enable you to gain access to the system and internet and may help you to rebuild the PC from there. - Good for post virus recovery too!