Re: Xp Reload failure
From: R. C. White (RCWhite_at_msn.com)
Date: 03/02/04
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Date: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 15:55:55 -0600
Hi, Jane.
That existing second partition may be the key to solving the problem! How
big is it? What is on it? How much space is left? Depending on how the
computer has been used, all of her personal "stuff" may have been stored on
that partition, with only Windows and applications on the first partition.
That second partition may not need to be reformatted. It may be just fine,
and inaccessible only because she can't load Windows from the first
partition.
If that's the situation, then she can boot from the WinXP CD-ROM and clean
install WinXP on C:, reformatting just the first partition in the process.
Once she has Windows up and running on C:, she should be able to see all her
"stuff" on the second partition. Then all she has to do is reinstall her
applications and point them to the data files on that partition.
Another approach, depending on whether that second partition is big enough
and has enough free space (at least 2 GB; much more is much better), is to
"clean install" WinXP a second time, directing it to that partition. (She
can choose to have Setup format that partition or not, depending on whether
it is readable and whether it holds recoverable "stuff".) This will create
a "dual-boot" system. Each time she boots, she will see a menu from which
she can choose: WinXP or WinXP?? (She can edit the labels so that SHE can
tell the two installations of WinXP apart; the computer won't be confused
because it goes by partition numbers, rather than by the text labels.) She
can boot into the new WinXP and use it to diagnose and perhaps repair the
first partition. She might even be able to recover files from the first
partition while booted into the new WinXP. In the worst case, after she has
rescued all recoverable "stuff" from the first partition by copying it to
the second partition or other media, then she can reinstall WinXP on the
first partition, reformatting it in the process.
When we know more about that second partition, we can provide more specific
advice. In short, several possible solutions exist. They are not "quick
and easy", but they may be worth doing, depending on how badly she wants to
save her "stuff".
In our family, my son and his wife have the computer degrees. I have the 25
years of experience fiddling with personal computers. I'm very sorry for
your loss.
RC
-- R. C. White, CPA San Marcos, TX rc@corridor.net Microsoft Windows MVP "Jane" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2d5001c40072$57326a10$a601280a@phx.gbl... > Thank you so much for this information! It was very > informative for me to know how to be able to save her > information. I had a feeling that she would definitely > have to reformat the drive. Another question.... since > her drive is already partitioned, is it possible to > reformat that partition and try to install XP on that > one, or when you format, do you have to format the whole > drive? > Thanks again for your information. It is nice to know > that we can possibly salvage her stuff from her hard > drive. > Jane > >-----Original Message----- > >Hi, Jane. > > > >> She has so much stuff....... > > > >As Michael Solomon said, it's probably time for a > complete clean install, > >which includes formatting your niece's hard drive - > which means deleting ALL > >her "stuff". :>( > > > >Before formatting, she could make one last attempt to > recover irreplaceable > >"stuff". This includes her DATA files, such as letters, > pictures and other > >documents that are personal to her and probably don't > exist anywhere else in > >the world. Don't worry about Windows files; those will > be replaced from the > >WinXP CD-ROM during the new installation. Don't worry > about application > >files; all the applications will have to be reinstalled > from the original > >CDs or other media after WinXP is reinstalled. But her > data files can't be > >replaced from anywhere; only SHE can decide whether they > are worth the > >trouble to save them. > > > >If her computer can be booted at all, she can to copy > only her data to > >floppies, CD-R/RW, or some other temporary storage. If > it cannot be booted, > >then she may have to open the case, remove the hard > drive, and transfer it > >into a friend's computer. (Of course, this must be a > friend that she trusts > >to be both computer-competent and able to safely handle > any secrets that may > >be in those files. If such a friend is not available, a > local computer shop > >should be able to handle the job for a reasonable > charge.) The friend can > >temporarily install her HD as a secondary drive and copy > her data to > >temporary storage. Then return her HD to her computer > and install WinXP, > >including reformat of her HD. After WinXP is installed, > restore her files; > >this might involve repeating the process of temporarily > installing her HD in > >her friend's computer. > > > >If she can afford it, and her data is worth enough to > her, she could buy a > >new HD. Remove the old one and install the new one as > primary master. > >Clean install WinXP on the new HD (with the old HD out > of the computer so > >that WinXP Setup doesn't get confused as to which is the > active partition). > >Then add the old HD as a secondary drive and copy her > irreplaceable "stuff" > >to the new HD. Then she can retire the old HD, or use > WinXP's Disk > >Management to delete the old partition, create and > format a new one, and > >have plenty of room for more "stuff". ;<) > > > >RC > > > >"Jane" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in > message > >news:8A7B255C-E5F6-45B1-B8B1- > 0E12BF59FF24@microsoft.com... > >> My son was the computer person in the family. He > installed XP on my > >computer as well as other members of the family's > computers. He was killed > >in an auto accident last year, so I have no support for > my computer > >problems. My niece began having a problem with her Xp. > It would go to the > >page where you can start windows in safe mode, safe mode > with command > >prompts, or latest successful configuration. I believe > there was one other > >thing you could select, but I just can't remember it > right now. Anyway, she > >tried to start windows with each of those selections, > but they just kept > >looping back to the same page and no further. I found > the XP disc and she > >used it to try to load XP back onto the computer, She > went so far, then a > >screen stated that she would have to reformat her hard > drive before it could > >be installed. It said the computer was either full, and > several other > >reasons that could cause it not to load. Is there > anything else we can try > >before completely reformatting her drive. She has so > much stuff....... and > >of course , not backed up. I don't even know how to do > that, either. Could > >you help, please?
- Next message: Paulus: "windows xp will not boot"
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