System Recoveryt - DESPERATE - PLEASE REPLY!

[MarioLanza]

I've been having a lot of problems with my PC (that I've had for over a year) recently and I want to use the System Recovery discs that came with it to make it like new again. Obviously I have several gigs of files I'd like to keep, so is there any suggestions you can give me in how to do this? I was thinking of saving them all on a few DVD-RW discs, but my burning software seems to close because of an error every time I use it (is there any good free ware ones I could use temporarily just to put these important files on?). Lastly, please give me any other suggestions for help with this because it's too important to screw up. Thanks in advance.

 

[gbaughma]

Grab yourself an external USB drive, and back up your data to it first.



Just my 2¢
-There once was a man from Peru
Who wanted to write a Haiku
but...

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[MarioLanza]

I've got a 1 gigger, will that be enough? Also, how do I do it?

 

[MarioLanza]

???

 

[linney]

Do your System Recover Disks have the option for a non-destructive repair similar to what is available in the Retail version as described in this article?

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

Some general things to try.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

See if System Restore (works in Safe Mode too) will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows.

Try running ChkDsk ((works in Safe Mode too) to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido" now called "AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5"

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

If it is a profile problem then this may help.
811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

To get further information about the error look in your Event viewer.

Look in the System or Application folder. You can get to the Event Viewer via right click My Computer icon and select Manage.

Any errors logged in the Event Viewer can be expanded by double clicking on the error line.

Take any event error I.D. number and search for it on these sites.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr.../prodtechnol/winxppro/support/EE_winxppro.asp

http://www.eventid.net/events.asp

To check your RAM.

http://www.memtest86.com/

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

To check your Hard Drive.

The drive manufacturer will have free diagnostic software to check your drive for problems.

You can also load the Recovery Console and run ChkDsk /r to check for problems.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console for Windows XP (Q307654)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp

To check conflicting software.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Free DVD writing software.

http://www.google.com/search?q=dvd+burn+free&rls=com.microsoft

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=dvd burn+free&rls=com.microsoft

 

[wpcoe]

I was in a similar situation with my Acer notebook a few months ago. I wanted to do a fresh install of WinXP to freshen things up, but keep data intact.

Possibly different from you, I partition my hard drive:
C: for OS
D: for old DOS apps
E: for non-DOS apps
F: for data
G: for downloads
H: for SWAP file

I was able to apply the System Recovery CD image to just the C: partition, leaving the other partitions untouched.

So, you might be able to partition your hard drive and copy or move files you want to keep to a new partition and apply the System Recovery image just to the C: partition.

IIRC, when I ran System Recovery, it asked me if I wanted to recreate the original partitions (or some such option) and I simply said no.

As always, a good backup, (whether to tape, CDs/DVDs, external hard drive, network drive, or whatever) is a wise precaution to take in advance.

 

[firewolfrl]

wpcoe,
I wound not recommend partitions beyond what was there on the stock machine...the system restore will wipe the data on the entire drive....so any partition will be wiped too


Load the data to a separate spare drive ...then disconnect the spare drive before you do the restore CD's...when done with restore load the data back to the drive....at this time using a partition tool such as partition magic you could create partitions if you wanted

The restore will almost always wipe and remove the extra partitions to set the drive to factory defaults of the OEM dealer