Marionfay wrote:
> I purchased a HP laptop with MC, I decided to upgrade to xp pro soon there
> after with no problems. My system became unstable so I tried to re-install
> XP Pro and now get stuck on the product key, I have been on the phone with
> Microsoft twice and they provided me with new product keys, and now find out
> that you cannot upgrade MC to Pro without the full version. I do not have
> the full version or know anyone that has a copy, I can't believe I have to
> spend about $300 to be able to use my computer again? In addition, I would
> like to back out of the upgrade at least to allow me to save my data before
> having to reformat my system, because it seems like that is what I will need
> to do? I want to be able to get back into my system, then I can try to
> figure out the rest.
You cannot get back into your system at this point since you already
started the installation process. You can try and recover the data
(which as you now realize should have been backed up before you started
any of this). Here are a few ways to try and recover the data:
1. Pull the drive and slave it in a computer running a working install
of XP. Depending on the target drive's characteristics, you may need a
drive adapter; i.e., laptop-to-IDE or a SATA controller card, etc. A
usb/firewire external drive enclosure works very well, too. Use the
working Windows Explorer to copy the data to the rescue system's hard
drive and then burn the data to cd or dvd.
2. Often XP will not boot with a slaved drive that has a damaged file
system. In that case, boot the target computer with either a Bart's PE
or a Linux live cd such as Knoppix and retrieve the data that way.
3. If methods #1 or #2 won't work, you can try using data recovery
software. Here are some links to various programs. I use Easy Recovery
Pro, but it is expensive. People whom I respect have recommended
R-Studio and Restoration. YMMV.
http://www3.telus.net/mikebike/RESTORATION.html
PCInspector File Recovery -
http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/welcome.htm
Executive Software “Undelete” -
http://www.execsoft.com/undelete/undelete.asp
R-Studio -
http://www.r-tt.com/
File Scavenger -
http://www.quetek.com/prod02.htm
Ontrack's EasyRecovery -
http://www.ontrack.com/software/
To get back to a working XP install on the laptop, you have two choices:
1. Use the HP Recovery Disks you made when you first got the laptop to
return the system to factory condition (XP MCE). If you neglected to
make Recovery Disks, then contact HP for replacement disks. This
normally costs around $25 USD.
2. If you must have XP Pro - the laptop must be a member of a domain,
for instance - then yes, you will need to purchase a full retail version
of XP Pro. You will also need to download all drivers and
laptop-specific software from HP for your model laptop.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
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