Windows XP OS won't boot and need a way to transfer files?

[mar122999]

I have a Toshiba laptop with Windows XP installed. I recently have been receiving an error stating that the computer is missing critical windows file and they need to be replaced. So I tried doing a sfc /scannow to fix files and it would not work with the CD (due to the CD not being the orginal installation CD). So I decided to perform a repair by booting with the Windows XP CD. The CD loaded files and re-installed the OS (without formatting) and whenever it finished, the computer would not boot to the windows login screen. It just says "setup restarting......". Almost like something is missing or wrong. Anyway, I think the OS is no good anymore and it may not be able to be saved. But I know my files are still there.

Now what I can do is hook an external hard drive up the PC and boot from XP CD and choose recovery console. I can move files from the C:/windows directory to my D: drive (external HD), but I can't get to the C:/ directory. I tried "Cd.." to go up a directory and it gave me an error. It will not let me. I tried to boot from a Win 98 CD and chose "Boot PC with CD support" and I can't see both drives. So I am guessing that is b/c both drives are formatted NTFS.

Does anyone have any methods (boot CDs) that I could possibly use to get this drive to the C:/ prompt so I can transfer to my USB D:/ drive???

[AzKidd69]

recovery console is limited to C:windows I believe...

you could try using NTFSdos for the dos boot disks to see the NTFS drive so you can read it and copy files off in DOS BUT...... it won't support your USB D: drive....

maybe knoppix can help you out? it is a CD based linux distribution and it should be able to read a NTFS partition and then write to a USB drive.. would probably have to look @ the documentation for KNOPPIX to make sure.

http://www.knoppix.net/docs/

[AzKidd69]

I just had another idea.... you could always try doing a parallel install of XP into say C:\windows2 and then copy your stuff off.. wipe the drive reformat and start all over from scratch....

[mar122999]

Hey. Sounds great, but could you kinda give me an idea on how to do this (parallel install)? Thanks!

[PC_Fanatic]

A parallel install is simply installing an additional OS to a drive which already contains an operating system. The OS's share the drive, not the files.

Unfortunately, XP will probably not want to share the C drive with another installation of XP.

If you want to try,
Boot from your XP CD.
Follow the installation procedure. Specify a directory (other than C:\WINDOWS) for the destination.

If the installation succeeds, you'll be be given a choice of which OS to boot when the system restarts.

You might consider removing the drive from the notebook, setting it as a slave, and connecting it to an XP desktop system. There are cheap adapter cables that will allow you to use the notebook drive
just as you would a standard IDE drive.

Another possibility would be to install XP to your external drive, if the notebook BIOS supports booting from that drive.

[John Prophet]

you cant boot to safe mode?

[mar122999]

Nope. I will try the Knoppix. I can't do a parellel install b/c I get an error right after the screen where Windows checks for other OS. This is a new problem b/c it was working 5 mins before. Must of been something I did.

[mar122999]

Fixed the problem with Knoppix. That program is amazing and will be very helpful in the future. Thanks!