[tjomara73]

I try to start windows and get an "invalid boot diskette Insert boot diskette in A:" message. Did I lose everything on my computer? Is there a way to fix this without reinstalling windows until I get my info off my the hard drive?
Before it happened I was getting errors with Ulead Movie Factory and DrWatson. Don't know if they're related. Thanks in advance.
Tanya

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Is there a floppy in the drive

[Retired Tech]

Is there a floppy in the drive

[tjomara73]

no, i checked the cd drives also.

[Retired Tech]

Start the System Restore tool at a command prompt

1. Restart your computer, and keep tapping F8 during the initial start-up until you get options, select Safe Mode with a command prompt then press enter.

2. Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator credentials.

3. Type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

4. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to restore your computer to an earlier state.

Look for the most recent system checkpoint created before the errors to restore from

For additional information about the Safe mode with a command prompt, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

http://support.micro....com/kb/315222/


A description of the Safe mode boot options in Windows XP

If that won't play out then you can move on to repair

Did you recently install or update anything

[tjomara73]

yes I did install a number of things!
I scanned them prior but nortons doesn't pick up everything. I'm going to try what you suggested and I'll reply after. thank you for your fast response.

[tjomara73]

F8 didn't work, can't get it started in safe mode

[Retired Tech]

If tapping F8 does not work keep tapping F5, make sure you tap not just press it once

[tjomara73]

it didn't work either

[Retired Tech]

Plan B

You can use these to repair XP

XP Repair Install

Or here if you are unable to run XP Repair Install

Alternative XP Repair Install Method

Use Windows Installation CD to repair the current installation, from the list, which uses a slightly different method

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

After running XP Repair you will need to install all Windows Updates

Microsoft Update

[tjomara73]

this will take a min. Thank you

[tjomara73]

well, i tried to do this but it can't find my hard drive. I think I need a new hard drive. Thank you again for your time.

[Retired Tech]

Can you check with this and tell me from which figure number it went differently

http://www.theelderg...l_-_graphic.htm