[sam292038]

Yes it's a 30GB hard drive. How do I get recovery console on the computer? Do I have to burn it to a cd and install it? I'm on my old computer windows 98 so I can't just click on the link.

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I have a black screen that has the following

Microsoft Windows Xp ™ Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

I type in

C:\> bootcfg /list

This is what I get : There are currently no boot entries available to dispaly.

C:\>

[sam292038]

I have a black screen that has the following

Microsoft Windows Xp ™ Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

I type in

C:\> bootcfg /list

This is what I get : There are currently no boot entries available to dispaly.

C:\>

[Retired Tech]

It will need to be burned to CD as an ISO image file, which nero or roxio will do, if you do not have either of those post back

If you can see the post then you should be able to click the link for it

[sam292038]

I have a black screen that has the following

Microsoft Windows Xp ™ Recovery Console.

The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.

Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.

I type in

C:\> bootcfg /list

This is what I get : There are currently no boot entries available to dispaly.

I type in

C:\> bootcfg /rebuild

This what I get

Scanning all disks for Windows installations.

Please wait, since this may take a while...

Error: Failed to successfully scan disks for Windows installations.
This error may be caused by a corrupt file system, which would
prevent Bootcfg from successfully scaning. Use chkdsk to

O detect any disk errors.

Note: This operation must complete successfully in order for the
/add or /rebuild commands to be utilized.


I put in

C:\> chkdsk

This what I get:

The volume appears to be in good condition and was not checked.
Use /P if you want to check the volume anyway.

So I put

C:\> chkdsk /P

This what I get:

CHKDSK is checking the volume....
0% completed.
The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems.

C:\>

[gerryf]

Hi Sam

Keith asked me to step in and help out...perhaps between the three of us, we can work it out.

First, try chkdsk /r, report back

In the meantime, where'd this PC come from? It looks like a you had a hidden partition that was used as a recovery partition, but it somehow became unhidden.

HP? Dell?

[sam292038]

I put in chkdsk /r

This what I got

0% completed.
The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems.

C:\>

Yes it's a Dell Inspiron 8200 about 3 years old I got it new.

Thanks for all your help.

[gerryf]

ugh,

Sam, I am afraid this drive is likely dead. That is not a good sign.

Is there data on this drive that you need?

[sam292038]

Yes alot, What can I do? What is a good replacement hard drive? I have a 30gb now.

Edited by sam292038, 03 January 2006 - 03:30 PM.

[gerryf]

I would remove the old drive, and put it in a freezer bag, and close it up tight.

Install a new harddrive and operating system,

Place the old drive in the freezer for a few hours. Then remove it and quickly insert it in the computer as a slave or as a second drive and see if you can recover the data. If Windows recognizes the drive, grab all the data you can as quickly as possible,

If it does not recognize the drive (good bet here, because it looks like the drive is still functional, it's just the beginning tracks of the drive that are trashed), I would use a recovery program to try and save the data.

Here is a free one

http://www.pcinspect.../uk/welcome.htm

Another is testdisk
http://www.cgsecurit...l?testdisk.html

There are other commercial programs, but these programs are very expensive.

You could also contact these companies, but the service is very expensive as well

For example, OnTrack.

[sam292038]

Thanks what a good hard drive to buy?

[gerryf]

depends on how much you want to spend....first...do you have a windows xp cd or one of those Dell recovery CDs?

I ask because you may be better off contacting Dell and acquiring a replacement drive. They will charge you more, but less than you will have to pay for a drive and windows CD

If dell game you a recovery disk, it may not work with just any harddrive.

[sam292038]

It'a a dell operating system reinstallation CD. I will let you know what happens. Thanks

[gerryf]

You might want to take a look here for installation instructions

http://support.dell....3591585B9D20254

It sounds like they gave you a working xp cd given you could get into the recovery console.

It will likely install and then look to access the 32mb partition for software installation to install extra software...I don't know. Dell changes their recovery procedures like some people change underwear...

[sam292038]

I'm going need some more help. I got my new hard drive today I have taken my old hard drive out and installed my new hard drive, formated it and installed Window Xp professional. One of my friends told me to do the following steps to get my data off my old hard drive, what do you think? or What should I do? Thanks

take out the old hard drive
install the new hard drive
format the new hard drive
install Windows on the new hard drive
once Windows is installed, insert old hard drive
boot into Windows from the new hard drive
search for all your data and files from the old hard drive
copy the old data to the new hard drive
reinstall all your programs

[Retired Tech]

You need to set the old drive as the slave drive

http://www.ehow.com/...econd-hard.html

Read this from installing the second drive

http://www.infohq.co...rive-review.htm

Post back if anything goes any differently