Crash

[Guest]

For the first time, my computer crashed. Turned it on, and received a screen
stating to insert the start up disc that came with it.
I have backup, but of course, I cant locate it. Is there any other way to
restore the files, programs, etc., which I had installed? Appreciate any
help..T

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

Boot to the XP setup CD, and press 'r' for recovery console, run the command : CHKDSK /R


..

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

At what point EXACTLY did you get this message?..

Did BIOS initialise the drive, or did it tell you that there isn't one or
that it has failed?..

If BIOS did initialise the drive, did it look like it was going to start
Windows and then give you the message?..

Was there any text that mentioned missing or corrupted files?

Your hard drive may have failed.. if you mess with it, you could lose
everything.. in the event of total hard drive failure, you will need to buy
a new one and re-install the OS.. after that, you have the option of using a
file recovery program or employ the services of a specialist company..

Two links to file recovery programs..

http://www.ontrack.com/ .. look at the Lite version..

http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/UK/welcome.htm .. this one is free

 

[Guest]

Mike, I received the message when I turned the computer on. Nothing
attempted to boot. I did insert the disc that had originally come with the
computer, and XP, as well as the other programs that came with the computer
reloaded at that point, but of course, all files and programs added since the
purchase are gone.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Manin

Your initial post was not quite as clear as it could have been, and I
assumed from what you posted that your system was still 'down'..

However, the installation media supplied with your computer will be of the
OEM type which, when run, will overwrite everything on the drive.. unless
you can find your backups, the chances are that you have seen the last of
your files etc..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

thank you, Mike. The search continues, lol. However, one redeeming quality
in all of this is that I was trying hard to keep the work items on the laptop
off the home pc, but through the past couple of years, more and more has
filtered over. Now, its gone. Maybe I can do better now. I have attempted
to network the 2, but am pc iliterate enough not to figure out how to do that
with my wireless gateway, so now, 2, separate, distinct computers once again.
Thanks for your help. Thad

 

[Guest]

For the first time, my computer crashed. Turned it on, and received a screen
stating to insert the start up disc that came with it.
I have backup, but of course, I cant locate it. Is there any other way to
restore the files, programs, etc., which I had installed? Appreciate any
help..T