Windows XP - restarting on loading screen - strange problem 1

[DavePeters]

Hello, recently I decieded to dual boot my system so, I used partition magic to create a new drive for windows 98 to be installed (I planned on using the same method as my friend by using a free boot manager tool after the install)

However, once Xp rebooted at the partition was being reszied an error occured - it said something about an "atribute" being incorrect, at the time I didnt think it would be a problem and I would try again, But now EVERY TIME I switch my PO on, I get the message and menu asking me to "start windows normally", "restart in safe-mode" etc but none of the options work, it keeps restarting then going back to the menu.

Is there a way to correct this? I havent got an XP Home CD as it was bought from PC World and just contained recovery CDs that will format my system and I have a huge amount of data thats needed (I know I should backup but my HDD is 120gb and thats mostly used up)


PLEASE, I AM REALLY DESPERATE FOR A SOLUTION WITHOUT FORMATTING, IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO BUY A COPY (AS I SAID I'VE ONLY RECOVERY CDS THAT CAME WITH THE PC) OF XP HOME AND CHOOSE REPAIR? Its an expensive option but thats all I can think off.


Thanks in advance - any suggestions would be grateful


Dave

 

[DavePeters]

Would an option be to install win95 then upgrate to 98 (I only have the win98 upgrade CD and full win95)

Then use a tool that can read NTFS backup then format?

Would that be ok? Thats if I can boot into DOS - which I see no reaons why a boot disc wouldnt work.


Thanks,


Dave

 

[bcastner]

What version number of Partition Magic?
What is the exact wording of the error message, including ID # if shown?

 

[DavePeters]

Its partition magic 8, to be honest I didnt write the message down as I didnt relise it was going to prevent my system from booting.

Would this solve my problem, if I installed XP pro (I can obtain a copy from work just to install for a couple of hours) create a new partition, back up my files then use the recovery disks that came with my PC to start my system in its original condtion?

Thanks in advance, from now on I will log the error messages, it was stupid of me not too write it down.

 

[bcastner]

I think any effort to reinstall XP at this point is likely to make more diffcult saving your data.

The only advantage of an XP Cd may be to make it easier to enter the Recovery Console.

 

[DavePeters]

Oh, thanks, have you any suggestions? its vital that I keep the data.

Thanks so much,

Dave

 

[bcastner]

The only "extended attributes" error messages I have seen are from FAT32 partitions. It may be that you can rescue the disk from the Recovery Console alone, using Console commands to rebuild the MBR and a chkdsk. But do nothing while the issue is researched.

 

[DavePeters]

How about if I buy/download (freeware or trail) another piece of partition software to see if I can resize the drive back to its original state? As the rescue disks for partition magic produce an error message:

Causeway error 09: Unrecoverable internal exception, program terminated.

Theres info that starts with three letters such as EAX and EDI =.

Systemflags =00000000



Thanks

 

[DavePeters]

Quote "The only "extended attributes" error messages I have seen are from FAT32 partitions. It may be that you can rescue the disk from the Recovery Console alone, using Console commands to rebuild the MBR and a chkdsk. But do nothing while the issue is researched"


****I was creating a fat32 partition for windows98, then I was going to use a 3rd party tool for a boot manager.

 

[bcastner]

I understand you were trying to create a FAT32 partition, Win98 would not use an NTFS partition.

See if you recognize your error:

http://www.powerquest.com/support/primus/id4374.cfm

 

[bcastner]

It looks as if a chkdsk /F in Recovery Console may help.

 

[DavePeters]

thanks, how do I access the recovery console without a windows XP disk (as i've just got the recovery CDs that came with the PC)

I appreciate the time you've spent helping me,


Thanks,

Dave

 

[bcastner]

Use the ones from your office as you originally planned, or download and expand the floppy disk set:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/q307/6/54.asp&NoWebContent=1

 

[DavePeters]

I ran the recovery console but it didnt find autochk.exe, I tried entering c:\windows\system32 etc but it didnt work.

I'm now thinking that installing XP pro (XP home is currently installed) and telling it to create a new partition may be my last change? Then backup all the files and use my recovery CDs.

Or do you know off a bootable partition tool, then I can resize my HDD back to "normal" and hope that works.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[bcastner]

Not autochk.

chkdsk /f

 

[DavePeters]

chkdsk must require autochk.exe, when I typed chkdsk /f it said invalid parameters.

I've just had a thought, could XP not be booting because theres no HDD space? my brother told me he copied over a fair bit of data from his laptop, and it could be that I partitioned all the remaining space (I feel really dumb now!)

I'm trying to locate a partition tool that will resize the HD, so I can get it back to its original condition.


Thanks,

Dave

 

[bcastner]

chkdsk c: /f
chkdsk d: /f
chkdsk e: /f
chkdsk f: /f


Ignore any invalid parameter statements.

 

[DavePeters]

I've just downloaded a trail (doesnt allow any changes to be made) of Acronis PartitionExpert and its confirmed that theres 0GB on the first partition, could this be preventing the system from booting?

Would the solution be to obtain a disk that can boot into dos and read NTFS then free up some space?

I will use the chkdsk method as well, thanks.

Dave

 

[bcastner]

Knoppix:

Discussion:

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,7018905~root=winme~mode=flat

Download:

http://www.knoppix.net/get.php

 

[bcastner]

Two other thoughts:

use the "/r" parameter and not "/f" in Recovery Console with chkdsk. I vaguely remember now that "/f" is not supported in Recovery Console, I think, but "/r" is supported. So change the /f to /r

Second thought, the freeware NTFS from DOS or Linux utilities never let you modify a drive in the way you plan. I am pretty certain this is true.