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Lost files please help


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#1
ARayT

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Windows would not start after my son turned off the computer improperly. I tried to reapir "r" no responce. I reinstalled wins Xp and now everything is gone. Have I lost everything? Any advise Please.
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#2
wannabe1

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Hi ARayT...

Did you use a recovery cd (like HP, Dell, eMahine) to reinstall Windows?

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#3
ARayT

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Yes I used the one that came w/ the computer, Dell.
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#4
ARayT

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Its labeled, use this CD to reinstall the operation system on a dell.
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#5
wannabe1

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Usually recovery cd's format the drive before they install the operating system. If this is the case, the files will be gone.

I have seen Dells install a second operating system, but it's very rare. If you open the C: drive in My Computer, is there more than one Windows folder? Perhaps one named Windows.old or Windows1.

Edited by wannabe1, 16 November 2006 - 06:52 PM.

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#6
ARayT

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Thanks for the help.
I only found one windows file listed in C:. When the computer starts up it now ask me, select which operation system to start. Two are listed as chioces but only one will start windows.
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#7
wannabe1

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Let me take a peek at the boot.ini file.

Open Control Panel and double click on the "System" icon.

Under the "Advanced" tab, in the "Startup and Recovery" section, click on the "Settings" button. Click on the "Edit" button in the resulting window. A notepad window will open. Copy/Paste the contents of the notepad here for me.
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#8
ARayT

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[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /fastdetect /NoExecute=OptIn
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#9
wannabe1

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Interesting. Do you have more than one partition on your Hard Drive? ie: C: and D:

This may be misrepresenting the recovery partition, but it's worth exploring. The boot.ini shows an installation on two separate partitions...usually the recovery partition doesn't show as installed.
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#10
ARayT

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Not sure how do I check? D drive is my CD-RW drive.
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#11
wannabe1

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Open My Computer...is there more than one drive listed under "Hard Drives"?

This is probably the recovery partition, though. Your data won't be in there.
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#12
ARayT

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Only one is listed "C:"
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#13
wannabe1

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That's what I thought. Darn!

The only good news is that we can eliminate the choice when you start up... :whistling:
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#14
ARayT

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Thats just my luck. Thanks again for your help. How do I elimanate the chioce?
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#15
wannabe1

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Wish it could have been better news.

Back in the window with the Edit button (where you got the boot.ini file), there should be a drop-down menu for the default operating system. What are your choices there...top to bottom?
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