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Unbootable, Unrepairable Windows XP instalation

834 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Chipp, 
Chipp
Hay all!

Once again I'm having trouble with my Dad's laptop, I've I have exhausted everything I know. Hopefully some of you guys can offer some adivce.

It gets BSOD's after the OS selection menu (or the F8 Safemode Menu, no matter what is selected.) The error code on the BSOD is 5 section long, but the only section I could find on Google is 0x000000051, or a Corrupt Registry.

I started the Recovery Console and ran both fixboot and fixmbr, both to no avail. chkdsk found and fixed several problems, but no difference.

Normaly, I'd just Repair the install, but the interesting problem is that when the XP SP1 CD looks for currently installed version of Windows, it starts reading the C:/ install, but then gets the same BSOD that happens when booting from hard drive. I've tried several other things including the UBCD's assorted virus scans and error checkers, but nothing seems to fix this problem.

Now, normaly if I couldn't start the Repair I'd just boot up Partition Magic and wipe the drive before a fresh install, but, the issue is that this is my Dad's work laptop, and he has several files he's done in the past few days that haven't been backed up to the external drive yet, and he really dosn't want to loose them. The only possible fix I've found it manualy recreating the registry, but this dosn't sound particularly safe, either.

So, my question is, are there any ways to pull files off the hard drive without being able to boot the computer/log in? I'd remove it and pop it intomy desktop, but it's a Sony ultracomapct and the drive isn't removable.

I'm desperate for help, anything and everything is welcome. Thanks in advance!
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ENTERPRISE
Well without another Base OS to get into another partition this makes life very hard. I dont think you can use DOS to get Major files off as CD Burning support isnt supported under DOS...Let me look for some file recovery solutions.

This may help : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835840/en-gb
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TheEddie
I have hooked up HDs that wouldnt boot windows to another computer (as slave in IDE setup) and you can look at many of the files normally, just make sure the pc doesn't boot into the OS on the messed up HD, what connection does that lappy HD have?
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Chipp
Quote:


Originally Posted by TheEddie
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I have hooked up HDs that wouldnt boot windows to another computer (as slave in IDE setup) and you can look at many of the files normally, just make sure the pc doesn't boot into the OS on the messed up HD, what connection does that lappy HD have?

Yes, I mentioned that normaly I'd try that, but this is an ultra-portable laptop and the hard drive in not removable without disassembaling most of the chassis. (Also something I'd like to avoid.)
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Higgins
Quote:


Originally Posted by Chipp
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Yes, I mentioned that normaly I'd try that, but this is an ultra-portable laptop and the hard drive in not removable without disassembaling most of the chassis. (Also something I'd like to avoid.)

well, the only possible solutions, would be to dissasemble the whole lappy, or make an automated CD from nLite so that it doesnt check for previous versions, i have a copy of XP pro that does that, i'll try to find the ISO...
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TheEddie
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Quote:


Originally Posted by Chipp
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Yes, I mentioned that normaly I'd try that, but this is an ultra-portable laptop and the hard drive in not removable without disassembaling most of the chassis. (Also something I'd like to avoid.)

I just took apart a Toshiba A105 last night, every little piece, didn't take too long really, just find a nice tutorial on your model on google, I'd say thats your best bet at this point.. it'll give you a chance to see whats inside/blow it out because I'm sure its pretty dusty..
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Qwi Xux
you mention an external drive, you could try using barts pe to create an xp cd bootable version with it. This will give you two options, either you can copy from the hard drive to the external if the files aren't entirely screwed, or you can also install some form of file recovery to get them back.

You should also be able to format the hd using barts pe or bartpe then use a file recovery software after installing xp again, like recover my files, to retrieve the data even after a wipe, i have used this on numerous occasions
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Chipp
4
Quote:


Originally Posted by Higgins
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well, the only possible solutions, would be to dissasemble the whole lappy, or make an automated CD from nLite so that it doesnt check for previous versions, i have a copy of XP pro that does that, i'll try to find the ISO...

Ahh, nLite! Had forgotten about that! Thanks, I'll try it!

Quote:


Originally Posted by Qwi Xux
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you mention an external drive, you could try using barts pe to create an xp cd bootable version with it. This will give you two options, either you can copy from the hard drive to the external if the files aren't entirely screwed, or you can also install some form of file recovery to get them back.

You should also be able to format the hd using barts pe or bartpe then use a file recovery software after installing xp again, like recover my files, to retrieve the data even after a wipe, i have used this on numerous occasions

More interesting ideas! Thanks for the info on Barts, I don't think I would have found that otherwise. Welcome to the forums, by the way! Hope to see you around!


It's looking like a live CD is the way to go for now, then I'll try a custom install CD next. (Might as well slipstream it, if I'm pulling out nLite anyway.
)
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