[Macboatmaster]

http://www.thecomput...om/files/rc.iso

Using the above link download the recovery console ISO

Burn it using this link
http://sites.google....-console-for-xp

Then run "chkdsk C: /r"
note space between C: and /r

presuming it identifies C as the hard drive with windows.

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Thanks for all your help guys. Sorry for a delayed reply, backing up files is taking longer than expected.

[Shikaka]

Thanks for all your help guys. Sorry for a delayed reply, backing up files is taking longer than expected.

[Shikaka]

Right, I did chkdsk. After a while it said it found and fixed one or more errors, yet I still have the same problem

[rshaffer61]

Rerun it to make sure it got everything.

[Shikaka]

Ok I've rerun it twice, unfortunately to no avail...

On both reruns it did not mention anything of errors found.

[rshaffer61]

If the repair install didn't work then lets try a Parallel Installation. Please read the instructions carefully so that you will be able to get to your data after the install.
Parallel Installation of Windows XP

Boot to the Windows XP installation cd by pressing a key when the "Press any key to boot from cd" prompt appears at the top of the screen.

• At the "Welcome to Setup" screen, press Enter to set up Windows XP.
• Accept the License Agreement by pressing F8
• With your current installation selected in the box, press Esc
• Select C: Partition1 [NTFS] in the box and press Enter
• To continue setup using this partition, press C
• Now you should see formatting options...choose the last one, Leave the current file system intact (no changes), and press Enter
• To use a different folder, press Esc
• Name the folder WINDOWS0 (just type a 0 (zero)) and press Enter

The Windows installation should begin. This will install Windows to a new folder, leaving your data intact. Any programs installed on the old directory will have to be reinstalled to the new one. Device drivers will also have to be installed for all the hardware to work as it should.

The data will be located in the Documents and Settings folder (C:\Documents and Settings) under your old user account name...so when you set up the new installation, give yourself a slightly different user account name.

[Shikaka]

Ah, I don't have the option to select C: Partition1 [NTFS], it's called C: Partition2 [NTFS] instead. Shall I select that one? It's the only ntfs option and also the only option where I have enough space. The only other option is:

-: Partition1 [FAT] 55mb (47mb free)

[rshaffer61]

Yes that is fine.

[Shikaka]

Righto, that worked!

[rshaffer61]

make sure to follow the instructions exactly so you can then move data over after you have verified the system starts with the new installation.

[Shikaka]

Right, I've verified it works by restarting. Where shall I move the data in my (old) documents? to the 'my documents' folder of the new user account i just set up?

[rshaffer61]

Yep exactly the steps to take. From your description and the fact the system will now boot into the new installation that tells me the old OS has been damaged beyond repair. After moving the data over you will need to update and\or install all drivers, programs and updates for the OS.
Just as a FYI do the windows updates first since any new drivers will be included with that if available. After that then we can work on anything in Device Manager which may not update.
Good work in getting it back up and running.

[Shikaka]

Well, I couldn't have gotten this far without you guys, so many thanks! :-)

Ok, to clarify, I've transerfered all the stuff from my documents to the new account, but this doesn't include the stuff in the old 'documents and settings' folder - does that matter? As far as I know there are no important data (like pictures etc there)

How shall I go about installing windows updates? It's not recognising my Internet connection; I don't even think it registers any network/ethernet hardware as network connections folder is empty. The ethernet controller along with the video controller and a load of other stuff is listed under 'other devices' in device manager - should I try install the drivers for them? Or should I download xp sp3 on my other computer and burn to a disk?

[rshaffer61]

Please Go to

1: STARTand the click on RUN
2: Type in devmgmt.msc
3: Click Enter


To do a screenshot please have click on your Print Screen on your keyboard. It is normally the key above your number pad between the F12 key and the Scroll Lock key
Now go to Start and then to All Programs
Scroll to Accessories and then click on Paint
In the Empty White Area click and hold the CTRL key and then click the V
Go to the File option at the top and click on Save as
Save as file type JPEG and save it to your Desktop


Attach it to your next reply

[Shikaka]

Here you go