[GOLDUST]

Can any one help?
I have recently cleaned out my PC and moved folders and it wont start again, it keeps asking me to insert disc and press any key.
Problem: I dont have any discs as i take it that its a startup disc I need.
I fear I have moved the OS folder and the registry cant find it to startup.
Can I fix this problem and retrieve the data I have saved on my computer or have I lost it all and would be as well to start from scratch and upgrade my operating system. I know I havent erased the OS but its just that my PC cant find it. Please help........................ thanks

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Doubt the data is lost, but how you can recover it depends on what resources you have at your disposal.

Resource 1
You are using a different computer.

Easiest way is to pull the harddrive from the broken computer, put it in the working computer, and make the repair.

[gerryf]

Doubt the data is lost, but how you can recover it depends on what resources you have at your disposal.

Resource 1
You are using a different computer.

Easiest way is to pull the harddrive from the broken computer, put it in the working computer, and make the repair.

[Craleu]

have recently cleaned out my PC and moved folders

when removing files/folders always check and make sure there not windows/Video/DirectX/sound, and on
its best to use add remove programs to remove programs also

but on the note of your computer

what is the error messages exact

[GOLDUST]

Thanks for the reply peeps.

I'll need to check what it says on my computer when I get back home, but I know it says something like insert disc and press any key, with just a blank screen in the back ground, I tried just pressing any key without inserting disc but it came up error and to insert disc and press any key again. I dont think I removed the windows foler but I may have removed DirectX/sound, that could be a point. -to craleu

The problem with using this computer to fix the problem is that its my girlfriends and she uses Windows XP and I dont want to start pulling her machine apart to fix mine incase we end up with two broken machines lol and then she would blow a gasket. Good idea though gerry.

[gerryf]

If all you did was move a folder, you won't ruin her computer (shoot, even if you did more, it won't.

There is only one gotcha.

Her computer harddrive drive is set up as a master; Your computer drive is set up as master. (both she and you have other drives as well).

To ensure all goes smoothly, remove your drive. Open her case. Find her harddrive. (hopefully only one if she has a standard system...if she has two, then she already knows how to hook two up).

Look at your drive. There should be a sticker on it telling you how to set it up as a master or slave, by switching a little piece of plastic known as a jumper. Switch yours to slave.

Hook up your harddrive to the same ribbon as her harddrive. If it is connected to a CD, you can remove it for now..Connect power to your drive. Turn her computer on.

The computer will boot up, find both drives. Her computer will be the C: drive. your's will be something else.

Open MY COMPUTER, move the WINDOWS folder back to the root, shut down, remove your drive, reconnect hers, reset the jumper so it is a master drive again, put your drive back.

Or, if you want to make it even simpler. Go to Compusa, buy a USB harddrive enclosure. Remove your drive, place it in enclosure (it should be set as master for USB enclosures), connect harddive enclosure to usb cable and plug it in to your girlfriends computer. Open explorer, do as above. Remove from enclosure, Put back in your tower.

An enclosure will cost about $20 to $30. (cheaper still on Newegg)

[GOLDUST]

I'll give that a go then, ive got a couple of spare units in the house that still work and are running on windows 98, using the master/slave process, I think I get what you mean, basically im using another computer as the main to get in to the one ive lost the folder in (ie the slave) and im basically linking them both up to find the windows folder, Im guessing I dont need a boot disc for this method then as i am using another OS to do the work. Excuse me if im sounding a little dumb on the computer front here Gerry but im just making sure im doing it right, if I cant do it this way then i'll take the hard drive out and put it into the other PC as you say and follow your instructions. Thanks for the help Gerry I'll let you know how I get on, cheers mate.

[gerryf]

you've got it exactly right....use the other computer to move the windows folder back to the root (c:\)

If that is all that happened, it got moved, you will be up and running in no time.