Win crashed. Any way to access data?

B

Bryan

What started out as a bluescreen has turned fatal. I was able to log into
windows a few more times with no warning that it was going to completely
crash, so I do not have a current back up of a few files I'd like to have
back like favorites, my docs, website, etc. What happens now is on the black
& white loading windows screen (press F8 for options) it stalls for a min
then says Winnt\System32\Config\system missing or corrupt. Use install CD to
recover. (unable to use F8)

I've tried to use windows cd to recover. Tried recover, it can't find a
windows install, use a ERD and it scans for a bit and says drive corrupt.
Try installing a 2nd copy of 2k and it also says drive corrupt or invalid
format, needs to be formatted to install.

Is there anything like I kinda remember win98 having, a boot from cd and
able to access the HD. At least this way I could know if it's worth the
haste of trying to recover my data or not. It's nothing worth more than $20
to try to get this data, just recent website files (frontpage03) and
favorite websites, etc, thing you comfortable with, but nothing priceless.

I think if I can't find a software solution to view my HD, I might order a
2.5" to 3.5" IDE converter and stick it as a slave in one of my desktops.

Any suggestions on being able to access the HD, replace the system file,
anything?! I'd even try to learn Linux, BeOs, something just to try to get
at the HD.

In case it's not apparent, the drive is in NTFS format, FAT I could use an
old 98 cd or such to access the drive.
Thanks in advance
Bryan
 
R

Rajmohan Sathyanarayana [MSFT]

Hi Bryan,
Try repair option in the Install CD. Choose option CD as Boot device.
and insert the CD when the System is restarting. Choose automatic repair in
the subsequent menu options which comes up in the process. this option will
repair the corrupted system files and get the system up. where in only the
the corrupted files are re-installed. all your data are kept intact.
Get more information on how to repair the Win2k installation ->

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/samplechapters/fndc/fnd
c_rec_uctu.asp

Raj
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
 

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