Can't restart after XP SP2 install from CD

[Guest]

In a bout of incredible stupidity, I made changes to my laptop without first
putting my backups to diskette...PLUS I made those changes (installing XP SP2
from CD) without first running Windows update. Now I have a laptop with PCI
bus driver internal inconsistencies, that won't restart in any mode. I get a
Stop A error code of: 0x000000a1
(oxdead0010,0x827e3bbo,0x00000000,0x00000000).

At this point, if I could just get it restarted (even in safe mode) to pull
off those backups, I'd be thrilled. Is there any way to do this? (I've
tried f8 with every possible choice.)

Is there any way to undo the damage I've done? Or do I now have a dead
laptop? It's a Compaq Armada M700, if that matters. I got it second-hand,
no documentation or boot disks. (Sending this from my desktop) XP
Professional

 

[Malke]

In a bout of incredible stupidity, I made changes to my laptop without
first putting my backups to diskette...PLUS I made those changes
(installing XP SP2
from CD) without first running Windows update. Now I have a laptop
with PCI
bus driver internal inconsistencies, that won't restart in any mode.
I get a
Stop A error code of: 0x000000a1
(oxdead0010,0x827e3bbo,0x00000000,0x00000000).

At this point, if I could just get it restarted (even in safe mode) to
pull
off those backups, I'd be thrilled. Is there any way to do this?
(I've tried f8 with every possible choice.)

Is there any way to undo the damage I've done? Or do I now have a
dead
laptop? It's a Compaq Armada M700, if that matters. I got it
second-hand,
no documentation or boot disks. (Sending this from my desktop) XP
Professional

If you have a usb thumbdrive with enough capacity to transfer the files
you need, boot the laptop with Knoppix and use the usb thumbdrive. Here
is some information on using Knoppix with a usb thumbdrive:

An easy way to retrieve Windows files is to boot with Knoppix, a Linux
distro on a live cd. To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast
Internet connection and third-party burning software. Download the
Knoppix .iso from www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then
boot with it and it will be able to see the Windows files. If you are
using the usb thumb drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to
get its properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then
click on it to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the
window manager used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead
of the traditional MS Windows' double-click.

Otherwise, remove the laptop hard drive and slave it in a desktop
running XP and copy the files using Windows Explorer. You may need to
take ownership of the files. You will need a laptop drive-to-IDE
adapter.

Then you can reinstall Windows on the laptop (don't forget to install
all the Compaq drivers for your specific model - get them from Compaq's
website). Unfortunately, you will need an operating system to do this.
Contact Compaq and see if they can sell you the restore disks, or your
second-hand computer was not such a good deal after all since you'll
need to buy XP.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Well, I don't have a USB thumb drive, so I guess the "slave" option may be my
only choice...of course, I don't know how to do that, but I think I have
someone who can help me. Do I have any other options? Thanks!

 

[R. McCarty]

Does the notebook have a CD-R unit installed ? - If so, there
are Imaging software programs that might allow you to retrieve
your data. It wouldn't be free and it takes time and patience to
go thru the whole process. Basically, you boot to the Image
Installation CD-ROM, Image your defective XP instance to a
set of CD-R disks. Copy those disks to another PC and then
use the application's explorer function to extract needed data.

 

[Guest]

Does the notebook have a CD-R unit installed ? - If so, there
are Imaging software programs that might allow you to retrieve
your data. It wouldn't be free and it takes time and patience to
go thru the whole process. Basically, you boot to the Image
Installation CD-ROM, Image your defective XP instance to a
set of CD-R disks. Copy those disks to another PC and then
use the application's explorer function to extract needed data.

 

[Guest]

it's a CD Reader only, it doesn't write CD's...so i can't do this, correct?

 

[Malke]

it's a CD Reader only, it doesn't write CD's...so i can't do this,
correct?

No, you can't do what Mr. McCarty suggested without a CD-RW. It sounds
like you should just take the machine to a professional computer repair
shop (not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA). They will have all the
necessary equipment to retrieve your data.

Malke

 

[mp2102]

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Malke - I was afraid you would say that...had a bad experience with a
local repair shop a while ago, so I'm a little gun-shy. Is there some
specific certification or equipment that I should expect to see when I check
out a shop? Questions I should ask? Reasonable charge for this type of
project? (I'm in Central New Jersey, if that matters). Thanks for all your
help.

 

[Malke]

Thanks, Malke - I was afraid you would say that...had a bad experience
with a
local repair shop a while ago, so I'm a little gun-shy. Is there some
specific certification or equipment that I should expect to see when I
check
out a shop? Questions I should ask? Reasonable charge for this type
of
project? (I'm in Central New Jersey, if that matters). Thanks for
all your help.

The best way to find a good computer professional is to ask friends and
colleagues for a name. There really isn't any way for you to look
around and see equipment or tools, but you should be treated
professionally and have a clear idea of what the charges may be. You
should find out if charges are flat fee or hourly basis. You should get
a receipt and an idea of how long your computer will be in the shop.
This isn't any different than if you take your car to get it fixed. You
should have a good feeling about the shop or person. If you aren't good
at judging these things, take a friend who is.

As for prices, call around and ask your friends/colleagues. There is no
way for me to know what is standard in central NJ, but I expect it is
higher there than where I am in central CA. It also depends on what
data needs to be retrieved and how picky a job its going to be. Let's
assume the data is basically My Documents and is a simple job that
doesn't require hours of picking through files using data recovery
software. To retrieve data from your laptop (assuming the hardware is
fine), reinstall Windows including all drivers, specialized laptop
software, subsequent updates, antivirus and antispyware programs, etc.
would probably cost you around $100-150 if I were doing it. This figure
is meaningless if prices are considerably higher where you live.

Good luck,

Malke