[sarahx]

Yesterday I tried to uninstall SP2 that came installed on my computer (for various reasons). My laptop seemingly did not appreciate this, and now refuses to open Windows. As I result, I get to the 'Windows did not start sucessfully' etc screen. If I let the countdown count down to 0, it freezes. If I select 'start windows normally' or 'last known good config', a blank black screen comes up. If I select Safe mode (and this goes for when I press F8 on startup too), I get a long list of all the problems along the lines of
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS\System32\Drivers\ *insert file here*
* Mup.sys, RegAgent.sys, SISAGPX.sys etc etc. Lots of system files by the look of it.

I don't have another pc with sufficient HD to copy all my data to as a slave driver, but if I could just get it to recognise my ipod I could probably take enough of my files off for it not to be a complete disaster... I have about 3000 photos on my hard drive, and they're my only copies (I know... I've learnt the importance of backing up the hard way). Is there any way to save my files before I reinstall Windows or fix my computer without reinstalling?

I've tried running the XP system repair (as detailed in the how-to guide) but it seems my HD is so far gone it cant even find an old version of Windows to repair, so the only option left is to fully reinstall it. I am buying an external hard drive, so when I get that, will it be possible to backup onto it even if I can't run Windows?

Thanks for any help you can give- I'm panicking about losing all my data so am v.close to forking out for a computer repair person to fix it for me... please help!

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Can you access Microsoft somehow, via another computer, a friend's for example...and download the XP floppie install exe file...and make yourself a set of boot disks? Give them a shot...you will need six floppies to do this.

I assume that you can not boot from the CD bay? How far along was the SP2 uninstall when it collapsed? Will it allow you to reboot from the CD [you may have to adjust your BIOS settings to do this]? Will it allow you to reinstall Windows XP-SP1? ...if so reinstall but do so only in the mode where the general file system is saved, and the only files that get altered are the Windows files.

Once you have it cleared up, my suggestion would be to not install XP-SP2 again...unless you are on the net in such a way to need that much protection, don't bother to reinstall it, or any updates [except the Validation tool and the Updating tool] it is just too much of a problem to deal with.

[b1caez01]

Can you access Microsoft somehow, via another computer, a friend's for example...and download the XP floppie install exe file...and make yourself a set of boot disks? Give them a shot...you will need six floppies to do this.

I assume that you can not boot from the CD bay? How far along was the SP2 uninstall when it collapsed? Will it allow you to reboot from the CD [you may have to adjust your BIOS settings to do this]? Will it allow you to reinstall Windows XP-SP1? ...if so reinstall but do so only in the mode where the general file system is saved, and the only files that get altered are the Windows files.

Once you have it cleared up, my suggestion would be to not install XP-SP2 again...unless you are on the net in such a way to need that much protection, don't bother to reinstall it, or any updates [except the Validation tool and the Updating tool] it is just too much of a problem to deal with.