RE: Unable to start XP on my Laptop

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

From: Darren Curtis (a-dacurt_at_online.microsoft.com)
Date: 09/29/04 

Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 16:29:22 GMT

In the Recovery Console, it is by design that you cannot get to any other folders other than C:\ , C:\Windows and any subdirectories below.
Like you said even if you could, the Recovery Console will not let you copy any data out to a floppy or external storage. You can only use
the RC to copy in, on to the HDD.

Your best bet is to go back to the Recovery Console and use the command:

FIXMBR

        fixmbr device name

Use this command to repair the MBR of the boot partition. In the command syntax, device name is an optional device name that specifies
the device that requires a new MBR. Use this command if a virus has damaged the MBR and Windows cannot start.

Warning This command can damage your partition tables if a virus is present or if a hardware problem exists. If you use this command, you
may create inaccessible partitions. We recommend that you run antivirus software before you use this command.

You can obtain the device name from the output of the MAP command. If you do not specify a device name, the MBR of the boot device is
repaired, for example:

fixmbr \device\harddisk2

If the fixmbr command detects an invalid or non-standard partition table signature, fixmbr command prompts you for permission before
rewriting the MBR. The fixmbr command is supported only on x86-based computers.

Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;314058

The Repair option you mentioned will preserve your data and hopefully your software programs.

The articile for these steps is:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;[LN];315341

If that fails, I suggest a parallel install, (install XP again into a new folder) and this will allow you to get to your files and back them up before
you rebuild completely:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=266465

Best Regards,
Darren Curtis, MCSE
Microsoft Enterprise Support Engineer
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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