XP crash - need to preserve data

[Rossdillon]

I use XP home, but no forum for that so here I am.

Machine crashed, auto-rebooted, presented message that c:\windows\system32\config\system was missing or corrupted.

(Thank goodness my laptop works and is online!)

Put in XP CD, booted to setup and repair...but repair option not presented to me. Have read that means XP probably not repairable through normal means.

Found another web page that used recovery console to fix system. Method starts by copying old files to a temp directory, replacing them with files from a windows repair directory, and then rebooting and selecting a restore point. Unfortunately, the config directory above appears corrupted because I cannot do a DIR or a COPY on any of the contents. Killed that idea. Looks like all I have left is a complete reinstall (will reformat first to clean out the drive).

Problem is I need to save some files from my user profile before I reformat and reload XP. (Recovery console does not permit folder or wildcard copies and saving the data by copying one file at a time is a daunting prospect at best).

I see the following options:

1) Try to reinstall XP on top of itself and hope the corrupted files/directory don't screw up the install.

*Question*...Assuming I don't use the same user name at install, will my original profile be preserved (at least the files) or be destroyed/overwritten?

2) Install XP onto my second hard drive (I *think* it has a empty partition but can't get there to know for sure...recovery console can see the second partition on the master drive but can't see my second (slave) hard drive).

Assuming that works, copy the old profile data to another drve and then reformat and reload XP to the c: drive (Faster drive, I want windows there). Then wipe out the intermediate installation on the last partition.

3) Swap hard drives (I have an old spare). Make old spare the new boot drive, install XP. Move old boot drive to slave position...salvage data to second partion on slave drive, move old boot drive back to master, and reformat/reload.

These are presented in what I think are least effort to maximum effort.

Comments? I am in a mild panic as my wife depends on the computer for her Avon business and rebuilding her Favorites and losing her email history will make her very cranky.

Roscoe

 

[gpalmer711]

Take a look at the following Microsoft Knowledgebase article that discusses the Repair installation of XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341&Product=winxp

It discusses the possibility and links to other articles helping you with this. In my experience I have never had a problem with this method of repairing windows xp.

You could also take a look at the following article from MS that discussed repairing a corrupted registry, which it sounds like you have.

Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[Rossdillon]

That article assumes (1) you can get into windows or (2) the setup mode offers the repair option. Mine does neither. I beleive I'm restricted to recovery console or complete reinstallation.

R

 

[Rossdillon]

Following article??? Di you forget a link, or am I just missing it...?

 

[gpalmer711]

Sorry I forgot the second link which is specific to your problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545&Product=winxp

Do you have a Windows XP installation disk, or a OEM disk that came from you PC manufacturer?

If it is the full version then you should be able to do the repair installation no problems. If you want to do the repair let me know and I can provide some more detailed instructions.

Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[Rossdillon]

Ah...but that's the second page I referred to in my original post..."Found another web page that used recovery console to fix system"

The problem is I can't copy the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM file because I get a copy error. When I attempt to DIR \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG I get a strange error regarding enumeration...basically the directory appears hosed.

I think I am screwed on this one...unless you have another idea.

 

[gpalmer711]

Take a look at this thread thread779-650354 download the ultimate boot disk. Some of the software on there should allow you access to the drive to copy to your other drive.

If this doesn't work for you let me know.

Greg Palmer

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Any feed back is appreciated.

 

[1101001100110101]

3) Swap hard drives (I have an old spare). Make old spare the new boot drive, install XP. Move old boot drive to slave position...salvage data to second partion on slave drive, move old boot drive back to master, and reformat/reload.

This option would/should work. If you cant access the 2nd partion on the slave though you may need to back it to the spare and then take the data off that once you get XP runing on your main drive.

 

[Rossdillon]

Not sure I am familiar with "Cable select". Is that a BIOS setting or a Hard drive jumper setting?

How do they connect...IDE from PC to mini to original boot IDE drive? Will they work like master-slave (i.e. the mini HD becomes the master and boot drive? Will both PC hardrives and all partitions be visible.

Sounds much easier but I have one working computer, would hate to trash that one too

 

[1101001100110101]

The only problem UnknownError is that the laptop drive may not boot once you put it in the PC because of all the hardware differences.

 

[Rossdillon]

Yea, I was thinking along those lines as well. But, if everything defaults to basic functionality, that's all I need to copy some files over.

 

[Rossdillon]

unknownError
Do I replace my current "slave" drive on the IDE cable with the Laptop HD using the min-ide adapter connector?

R

 

[Rossdillon]

UPDATE!

I got it fixed. Amazing what CHKDSK /R can do

Man, don't you just hate when it's easier than you think

Thanks to all for your help though...I learned a lot.

Roscoe

 

[1101001100110101]

lol, well atleast its fixed. Backup