Re: Disc boot failure, after files deleted, please help

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posum2 wrote:
Hello folks,
I'm a bit new to this, but after someone deleted some huge files off
the hardrive, maybe more, when I boot up, just get disk boot failure
and insert system disc message. Screen shows disk drive B none, prim
master none, prim slave none. XP should still be active. What do I do?
I have lots of holiday photos on this computer. thanks for any help.

Sounds like "someone" is an idiot...or malicious.
Sounds like you don't have experience.
So, if you value your pictures, STOP!!!
And find someone who does have experience.

Rule #2, It's far easier to make it worse
than to make it better. MS has put so many anti-piracy
roadblocks in your way, it's difficult to recover from
anything: "reinstall windows, sorry for the inconvenience"

There are some very knowledgeable people here,
but there are also some (insert your favorite term here)!
Problem is that if you could tell which is which,
you wouldn't need to ask the question.

Taking random, uncoordinated inputs from the internet
is never a good idea. It's very difficult to understand
and describe your EXACT situation. And most wouldn't read
it before responding with their favorite fix anyway.

First thing I'd do is remove the drive and connect it to
a usb converter. Image the drive. AND copy all the files
you care about. Virus scan those files before you forget.

Now, you can mess with it all you want.
YOU'VE GOT EVERYTHING THAT CAN BE RECOVERED,
and as many chances as you like to try to fix it.
You can take whatever advice you get with low risk.
If one fix doesn't work, you can restore the image and try
another fix...until you get bored and "reinstall windows, sorry
for the inconvenience".
At least you'll still have the files you copied in step 1.
.

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