[clark19]

My Windows XP system will not Boot to any Safe Mode.
I pushed F8 at Boot-up, and then tried to Boot-up with each of about 10 options, and the Windows XP always hangs or stops progressing at the blue screen with the Windows Logo.

I have read on other message boards I could have selected....
"Delete restoration data and proceed to system boot menu" .

I am not sure I remember seeing that option.
How can I force that option?

How can I access a command prompt to check out my hard drive and directories?
I have not used DOS in 20 years.

Thanks,
Clark19

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Hi Clark19
Option 1) Click on me
Option 2) you will end up with a command prompt Click on me
Cheers
Peterm

Edited by peterm, 10 September 2007 - 10:54 PM.

[peterm]

Hi Clark19
Option 1) Click on me
Option 2) you will end up with a command prompt Click on me
Cheers
Peterm

Edited by peterm, 10 September 2007 - 10:54 PM.

[clark19]

You are amazing!!!!!!!!!!

I am going to try "option 1" right now.
This place is the best kept secret on the internet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks a million.

Clark19

[clark19]

Hi,
I tried "option 1", and Widows did reinstall.
But now all my data is lost.
I can find none of my prior files: programs, spreadsheets, music, pics, directories, articles, bookmarks, etc.
It is now exactly like the day I brought home my computer,
completely blank of documents.

Where can I find my old stuff?


Thanks,
Clark19

[clark19]

I am using XP home edition.
I never saw the option to do a recovery only.

Bummer.

Clark19

[ultimateslacker2]

Did you do a reinstall where you completely wiped out the data and reinstalled, or you did a repair?

[peterm]

Hi Clark19
As the Ultimateslacker2 asked which option did you choose ?
as it says in that post

Don't worry; Windows XP repair feature won't delete your data, installed programs, personal information, or settings. It just repairs the operating system!

Did you reformat ? do not use the computer- Do you have access to another computer we can try a unformat.
Cheers
Peterm

[clark19]

I never saw the option to reinstall or repair. So I do not know.
And I promise I read every prompt very well.

However, when my computer turns on, it gives me the option to choose an operating system to run.
They both say: "Windows XP Home Edition."

I selected the top one and my computer runs fine in Windows, but the data seems to be missing.
Then I shut it all down, and restarted with the second listing of "Windows XP Home Edition".
That option starts up the old version/corrupted version of windows and my system stalls/hangs at the blue welcome screen.

So it looks like I still have two Windows XP's running on the computer.
Maybe I should uninstall the most resent installation, and try to do it correctly this time?

Ideas?

Clark19

[clark19]

I do have another computer in the office, so I may be able to use it to figure our where my data is.
Clark19

[peterm]

Ok sounds like you have done a paralell install.
Instead of looking for a file (eg. under my documents ) Use search and put in the name of a document.
With a parellel install the my documents folder gets recreated so if you look in there then it will be empty
that is why you need to use search. If we find your data that way then we either try and repair the old install or move everything to the new install. If you did not reformat then your data should be there. If you did reformat we still have a chance.
Cheers
Peterm

[clark19]

That is very good advice.
I will do the search now.
Thanks,
Clark19

[clark19]

Thanks a million!!!!!!!!
I did a search, and the computer found my file.
Then I went there and found all my old files.
I assume I lost nothng at all.
You are awesome.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now shoud I try to remove the old Win XP corrupted edition?
Any ideas as to finding it and trashing it?

Thanks a gazilion.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clark19

PS. I have to pick up my kid at high school sports, so I will be back in the am tommorow to try your suggestions.

[peterm]

no so fast with getting rid of the old
Ok before we go to far do you have original cd/dvd for all the programs you use on the computer.

I would backup or copy any vital data of the computer

We are better off trying to fix the old install as that is where all the programs are unless you have them and want to reinstall.

This is where you must have missed something OR your original install is so corrupt it was not picked up.

Next, Windows Setup will find existing Windows XP installations. You will be asked to repair an existing XP installation, or install a fresh copy of Windows XP.

If no installations are found, then you will not be given the option to repair. This may happen if the data or partition on your drive is too corrupted.

Note: If you install a fresh copy, all data on that partition will be lost!

So after you have all your critical data backed up or burnt off can I get you to try the repair option again
BUT only go as far as where it askyou to repair. Do you see 2 listings of window installs? Then cancel out.

Cheers
Peterm
ps remember rule 2

Edited by peterm, 13 September 2007 - 12:40 AM.

[clark19]

Thanks,

I put all my important data onto a CD disk.

Where are my bookmarks and address books for emails?
I did not see them to copy.
I would like to find them and put them on the disk too.

I have all my original disks for my Excel and Word, so I am covered.

I did notice down near the bottom of my heirachal list of items in my computer, it listed ...

WINDOWS this was 2.72 GB in size, and created in 2005
WINDOWS.0 this was 1.72 GB in size, and created in 2007, on September 11th.

So I think I am ready to do the "fix the old install" correctly this time.

What should I do next?

Thanks,
Clark19

[peterm]

Hi Clark19
Try the repair option again
BUT only go as far as where it askyou to repair. Do you see 2 listings of window installs? Then cancel out.
the pic below is where I want you to go to and you should see 2 listings of windows.
As for your emails it depends on what program you use.
Cheers
Peterm

Attached Thumbnails

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Edited by peterm, 13 September 2007 - 08:35 PM.