Re: Can I create a bootable CD for XP Pro from another computer?

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Jerry Porter wrote:
Simple question: I have an IBM laptop running XP Pro. Went to run
a disk backup, but laptop reported it was missing IBM files to make
the BU disks. IBM techs walked me through upgrades so I could make
disks. However, had Norton GoBack installed--IBM tech finally
admitted at 2:45 a.m. that I was given wrong advice by
inexperienced tech--GoBack should have been disabled before
upgrading to new version of Rescue and Restore (IMB's proprietary
Lenovo software)--so the Master Boot Record now does not know the
HD has an OS on it. I need to save 7 years of newly transferred
files (without recreating what took me since April to build) on a
computer which now goes past the power-on screen into a blinking
and unresponsive cursor. I was thinking I could create an XP Pro
bootable disk so I could at least export the data files--even if I
have to reinstall all programs over again (AARGH!), but all the
Tech Support KB articles talk about floppy disks--not on the Lenovo
laptop. Can I create a bootable XP Pro disk to start the laptop
and save the data files, or can the MBR be "hand-written" or
restored? I cannot tell you how sick I am--trying to do the
backup, and having the IBM upgrades destroy the MBR.

All recommendations are gratefully appreciated! Many thanks from a
HIGHLY frustrated lawyer!

John John wrote:
Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows
CD/DVD http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
http://www.ubcd4win.com/

As far as I know you can't manually rewrite the MBR to undo GoBack
screw ups, you would have needed a backup copy of the MBR to
attempt this.
You may find some answers in these pages:

http://ask.adaptec.com/cgi-bin/roxio_tic.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=ek4vbwSi&p_lva=&p_li=&p_page=1&p_cv=&p_pv=&p_prods=&p_cats=0&p_hidden_prods=&cat_lvl1=0&p_search_text=goback&p_new_search=1&p_search_type=answers.search_ex&p_sort_by=dflt

Goback is now a Symantec product, you may need to contact them to
see if they have an answer to your problem, you can search their
web site for possible answers:

http://searchg.symantec.com/search?q=goback+mbr&site=symc_en_US&entqr=0&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&output=xml_no_dtd&src=gbh&client=symc_en_US&ud=1&context=gbh&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystyle***=symc_en_US

Otherwise:

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&cop=mss&p=restore+goback+mbr&x=0&y=0

If the data is really important then I recommend that you not try
to use recovery software but rather that you contact a professional
data recovery firm for more advice. Using recovery software or
trying to further manipulate the MBR may just make recovery more
difficult or even impossible. If you really think that you can do
this by yourself then search the net for recovery software and be
prepared to accept the complete loss of all the data on the disk if
things go from bad to worse! You can start with this:
http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

For all it's worth, after, or if you get this fixed, you should get
rid of GoBack completely! This program simply is not worth the
risks that come with it! You won't be the first person to lose all
their data because of this trash! Nor will you be that last!

Jerry Porter wrote:
Had already looked at BartPE, but building the bootable disk image
seems to involve (1) the XP Pro Install disk (not provided by
Lenovo--it has a recovery partition in drive) and (2) carefully
read several KB articles about building a bootable disk, but the MS
procedure requires your specific computer to be up and running.

I have the sense that IF I can at least boot the Lenovo laptop, I
can then do a drive copy (which will be non-bootable), but at least
I will have a record of all programs, internet downloads, and data
files on the backup, so if I CAN get to the recovery partition,
which will restore with factory installed programs, I will at least
know what programs I have to reinstall, but should be able to take
all data/word processing/spread*** files and recopy them into the
appropriate places.

I agree with your opinion about GoBack--having used Norton
Utilities since DOS 3.x, it has saved me one time--otherwise, I
rely on Norton Save and Restore, or use a program like Nero to make
a complete backup on removable disks. Save and Restore functions
very nicely on my desktop, using a Maxtor One-Touch 300 Gb USB
drive.

I sense a Maxtor coming to the office where I use the laptop, when
and IF I get it back up and running. You cannot imagine how
thrilled I am at the prospect of going through the program reloads,
but more eespecially the MS Security and Optional updates--a few
hundred of them!

When I have the time (I'm working on an attempted first degree
murder case), I will look at your suggested sites and articles.
Man, MANY thanks for taking the time to reply. Best wishes to you
and yours for a Happy Holiday Season!

Jerry Porter wrote:
PLEASE NOTE THAT MY BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT THE LENOVO LAPTOP CAME
WITH A RECOVERY PARTITION--AND NO XP PRO INSTALLATION DISK!
BARTPE, OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM WHICH USES THE XP PRO INSTALL DISK, IS
NOT AN OPTION FOR ME!

While I can appreciate your frustration - the use of all upper case
lettering is unnecessary and will likely cause less people to assist you.
You may have done it *just* to get a point across - but there are many
reasons why publications (print and web) do not print everything in all
upper case lettering. It is considered shouting (in a textual format) in
some circles, is difficult to read for many people, etc.

At this point - you're may want to purchase some sort of disk imaging
software that allows you to explore inside the images you make to copy files
from that image. Symantec Ghost, etc. And you will need some external
device/separate internal hard drive/etc - to write this image to. Then you
can utilize whatever functionality the application gives you to get the
files/folders you need off the machine.

You could also purchase a copy of Windows XP to utilize to repair this
situation or make a BartPE CD with. Or you could even borrow one from a
friend/family member. Or you could call up IBM and see if they might SELL
you the CD you need to fix this. I know you have not had the best of luck
so far with them.

As I see it - you went beyond your level of expertise in this category long
ago. Your best bet for recovery is likely to find someone with the proper
skill-set and tools for this type of work and get help there. The simplest
solution is to just make an image of the entire hard drive and pull off what
you need. The next is to purchase the recovery disk set from the original
manufacturer of the machine. After that you may need to purchase a copy of
Windows XP to utilize to create other tools or perform a repair
installation, etc.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


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