HELP XP crashed-must save files

nil | jan302008 | self

[Para-Ord.45]

My Windows xp crashed, again. It continually reboots even in safe mode.The blue screen of death flashes only for a split second so i cannot read the error code.

Tried Recovery, it accepted the FIXBOOT command and rejected both \i386\NTLDR C: and \i386\NTDETECT.COM C:

I`m certain a virus damaged the boot sector.

What options do I have now so repair and save the xp?

[djf]

One of the good reasons to not use NTFS.

[papasmurf]

STOP! Don't try anything else. Don't try booting it anymore.

Go HERE and download TESTDISK. It's free. They have a good tutorial linked on the wiki, read it.

Come back in an hour and thank me. :)

It really is that simple.

[papasmurf]

The data is safe, and can be easily off. Using a LiveCD is a good method of gaining access to it.

I would think one would like to recover the mbr and boot partition, testdisk is a great tool for that.

I charge $100.00 to do just that using just that.

[papasmurf]

Copying off your data should be your first action. Protect the data.

Then try to recover the partitions.

Then, your last option should be reformatting and re-installing, or a new HD.

[rednesss]

Recently experienced a similar problem, turned out to be a bad RAM module. I was running dual 1 GB modules, through trial and error I identified the bad module, pulled it, and was able to repair the MBR and NTLDR and got it to boot. RMS to Newegg on the RAM module and eventually all was well. Of course I had backups of the affected drive, Acronis is your friend.

[Para-Ord.45]

Thanks for the help jdm, and all.

Have an older XP disc, with the 6 floppies. Immediately before one clicks on install windows there`s an option to press R for repair. That option isn`t on my older xp disc but know an aquantance who has a XP disc with SP2 in it and the R option. It overwrote XP but saved all files and settings.

Whewww, what a relief.