[Retired Tech]

Can you try this

Turn on the PC and press F10 repeatedly at the first screen to start the recovery

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If I installed Windows 98 or something,

would I be able to access all other files on my C: drive? Would I be able to uninstall programs that were installed on the C: drive from the Windows XP OS?

[imafool4u]

If I installed Windows 98 or something,

would I be able to access all other files on my C: drive? Would I be able to uninstall programs that were installed on the C: drive from the Windows XP OS?

[Retired Tech]

Did you get anywhere with F10

Have you got the recovery CD

[Retired Tech]

F10 should start this procedure

http://h10025.www1.h...145#bph07145_cp

[imafool4u]

That probably works, but I don't want to do a "destructive recovery" << lmao @ that anyway. I'll probably end up having to after saving all my files using the hdd as a slave drive if nothing else works.

But if I installed windows 98 would I still be able to access and uninstall data on the windows xp partition?

[Retired Tech]

Is there no non destructive recovery option

If not, you could ask HP what the options are

This is for live chat with one of their technicians

http://ipgweb.cce.hp...l&lang=en&cc=us

Look at installing your drive as a slave in another PC

http://compreviews.a...ss/DIYSecHD.htm

[imafool4u]

Ok so I ended up making the hard drive a slave drive on another box, backing up files, and borrowing a Windows XP Pro cd to format and fresh install it on my box. Then I restored files.

Only thing left I'm wondering is this. Could I use Partition Magic to change the drive letter of my local disc from H:/ back to C:/. It warns me that since it contains the Windows directory my system may not boot, and that's the last thing I want. Is it safe?

[Retired Tech]

Unless it being called H is a problem, you can leave it, after the couple of days you've just had, you might want to enjoy the PC for a while

[imafool4u]

haha Thanks for your help on everything you've contributed so far keith, but it's just a little bit annoying

[Retired Tech]

How can I change the System partition drive letter in Windows XP?

For the most part, this is not recommended, especially if the drive letter is the same as when Windows was installed. The only time that you may want to do this is when the drive letters get changed without any user intervention. This may happen when you break a mirror volume or there is a drive configuration change. This should be a rare occurrence and you should change the drive letters back to match the initial installation.

http://www.petri.co...._windows_xp.htm

http://support.micro...;307844&sd=tech

[imafool4u]

heh sun can't shine every day

Cheers to the forum homies, problems resolved, I'm half content for the time being.

[Retired Tech]

In the format part of an install, check it is creating a RAW partition on C, if the letter is different, push the restart button and it will revert to C