[malleigh]

My lap top froze today and I turned it off cold. When I turned it back on it came up with the screen about windows not shutting properly, restart windows normally or in safe mode. No matter what I hit it - Takes a long time and then looks like it is going to start but then goes right back to that screen. I have turned it off and tried hitting f8 to autmatically start in safe mode and it does the same thing. Is there anything I can do to restore it with out losing my files. My husband started the banking last night and was going to finish it tonight so it is not backed up. Any suggestions???
I really appreciate your help
Molly

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Hi malleigh.

The PC has corrupted files and possibly a corrupted filesystem. The only possible way to repair this is by using an XP Installation CD, not a Restore or Recovery procedure. Do you have this CD ?

The other option is to do a repair or restore, but this will wipe your hard drive and all files and programs you have added.

[WinCrazy]

Hi malleigh.

The PC has corrupted files and possibly a corrupted filesystem. The only possible way to repair this is by using an XP Installation CD, not a Restore or Recovery procedure. Do you have this CD ?

The other option is to do a repair or restore, but this will wipe your hard drive and all files and programs you have added.

[wannabe1]

Hello malleigh...

As WinCrazy suggested, you may have corrupt system files, but it may also be a corrupt registry. The following is a procedure for running a system restore from Recovery Console. This will not affect your data, but will allow you to restore the system to an earlier time.

If you have your Windows XP disk

• Insert your Windows XP disk into your computer and reboot
• Make sure the PC is set to run from the CD as the primary boot device.
  NOTE: You do this by setting your PC to boot to the CD-ROM in BIOS (enter bios by pressing f1, f2 or del key during memory count up, then search for boot order, and set the CD as the first boot device)
• When the PC boots, it will boot from the CD...after the first several screens load, you will be given a choice to choose R for Recovery Console. You will be asked to log in.
  NOTE: For Windows XP Home, there is not password, just hit ENTER. For Windows XP pro, ask whomever set up the machine what password they used.

When you see the Recovery console C:\WINDOWS prompt continue to section 3 ("System Restore")

If you DO NOT have your Windows XP disk

• Download RC.ISO from Here.
• Now burn this ISO image to a CD and boot your computer with it.
  NOTE: Keep in mind that this is different than burning a file to a CD-ROM. If you do not know how to burn an ISO image, then download CDBurnerXP Pro to another Windows machine and install it. Then go Here for instructions for burning the ISO image
• Once the CD is created, place it in the defunct computer
• Then reboot your broken PC with that CD in the CD-ROM drive.
• Make sure the PC is set to run from the CD as the primary boot device.
  NOTE: You do this by setting your PC to boot to the CD-ROM in BIOS (enter bios by pressing f1, f2 or del key during memory count up, then search for boot order, and set the CD as the first boot device)
• When the PC boots, it will boot from the CD...after the first several screens load, you will be given a choice to choose R for Recovery Console. You will be asked to log in.
  NOTE: For Windows XP Home, there is not password, just hit ENTER. For Windows XP pro, ask whomever set up the machine what password they used.

System Restore

• When you get to the recovery console Type
  

  CD \

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  cd system~1\_resto~1

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  dir

• Press Enter

After you press enter you will see a list of folders (like rp1, rp2) If the list of restore points has more than one page then press the Enter key untill you reach the end of the list

• Type
  

  cd rp {number of the second to last folder in the list}

  Note: Example: cd rp9, if rp9 is the second to the last restore point where the last restore point no. is 10
• Press Enter
• Type
  

  cd snapshot

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  copy _registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  copy _registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  Exit

• Press Enter

Your PC will reboot.

If you get an access denied error when doing the above, then do the following at the recovery console:

• Type
  

  CD \

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  cd windows\system32\config

• Press Enter
• Type
  

  ren system system.bak

• Press Enter
  
• Type
  

  Exit

• Press Enter

Your PC will reboot, go back into the Recovery Console and start from the beginning

If you still cannot get access in anyway to your installation in the recovery console then your SAM database files are corrupt. There is no way you can restore these with the recovery console. You may need to do a fresh install.

wannabe1

[malleigh]

is it the operating system already installed on your computer cd? it states reinstallation cd for microsoft windows cp home edition?

[anzenketh]

malleigh,

YES.

[malleigh]

ok .. we go the cd going but the following prompt is not working (the next part of the instructions given)



System Restore
When you get to the recovery console Type

CD \
Press Enter

[wannabe1]

Does it give a reason?

Are you putting the space in the command? cdspace\

[malleigh]

yes putting a space (even tried with out space) it states that the path or file specified is not valid

[The Skeptic]

In Recovery Console, at the prompt, type chkdsk /r and press Enter. Let the process run to the end.