EVERYONE removed from security - system will not boot

[THOMAS]

I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\ folder on my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at all. I believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is authorized to access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of getting the
original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Do an upgrade install as described in KB link below. You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical updates however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet access. ---Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306952
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

 

[Steven L Umbach]

You also might want to try a "fast repair" first. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;238359

 

[THOMAS]

Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000. I do not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in-place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible" installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I did not
proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the message?????

 

[Steven L Umbach]

You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that you can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or a friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile should be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves, install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since a new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421 --- same for w2K

 

[Guest]

Steve,

First of all, thank you very much for taking your time to
help me!

Let me respond to some of your suggestions and/or tell you
some of the things I have tried:

Steve wrote: "Finally you could reinstall W2K into the

existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the

install process, but not formatting..."

Thomas: I have tried this and DID NOT format. However, I
received THOUSANDS of messages that started with "setup
cannot copy the file: XXXXX.xxx" Each file named was
different, such as _default.pif, 0401.csv, 0404.csv,
access.chm, driver.cab, etc " Each time I chose "skip".
I was writing a log of each message until I got to about
#50 and realized this was going to go on forever!

Steve wrote: "You could do a parallel installation of
Windows 2000 by installing another copy - preferably on
another partition..."

Thomas: I have two partitions: One large one where all my
programs and files are located. The other partition set
up on this laptop is only 8MB in size...and I don't use it
nor do I know how it got there!

Steve wrote: "If you have another computer [or a friend]
running Windows 2000...., you could install your hard
drive as a slave/secondary drive and access your files
from the operating system that way.

Thomas: The problem computer is a laptop. I do have
another laptop running Windows 2000. I took my computer
to a local computer store and I believe this is what they
tried to do.....but it was not successful.

I plan to try a parallel installation of Win2000 into a
different folder....unless you suggest otherwise. I'm not
familiar with taking "ownership" but have seen it
mentioned in the Knowledge Base.....I'm sure I can read
about it and learn. And, I don't mind re-installing
programs and making the necessary updates. I just DON'T
wish to lose my data!

Just for your information, I have sold computers or
information systems since 1984. I am not afraid to try
things on my own. Even though I have NO technical
training I can usually work my way out of a jamb....but
this one is over my head!

Thanks again for your help!

Tom

-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a

parallel installation of Windows

2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that you can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or a friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a

slave/secondary drive and access your

 

[Thomas]

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a

parallel installation of Windows

2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that you can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or a friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a

slave/secondary drive and access your

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and I wanted that data what I
would do is put the drive in another computer running Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and
access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to check for corruption, which you
can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed into a desktop and of course the
drives will need to be configured appropriately as master/slave or cable select. If
you do try to recover data from another computer, you may need to go to Computer
Management/disk management/properties for that drive to initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is valuable and you have exhausted
all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a data recovery specialist though
they may not be cheap but probably will give you an estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop
IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 --- another one.

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a

parallel installation of Windows

2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that you can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or a friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a

slave/secondary drive and access your

files from the operating system that way. Finally you could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile should be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves, install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since a new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;308421 --- same for w2K




.

 

[Thomas]

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom

-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and I wanted that data what I
would do is put the drive in another computer running

Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and

access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to

check for corruption, which you

can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed into a desktop and of course the
drives will need to be configured appropriately as

master/slave or cable select. If

you do try to recover data from another computer, you may need to go to Computer
Management/disk management/properties for that drive to initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is

valuable and you have exhausted

all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a data recovery specialist though
they may not be cheap but probably will give you an

estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop

IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 --- another one.

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD,

however
since an installation was

not found it would not help. You did the right thing by not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a

parallel installation of Windows

2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you

will
be able to boot into the

new install and have access to your data files, though you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that

you
can change permission to

give yourself access. If you have another computer [or

a
friend] running Windows 2000

/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a

slave/secondary drive and access your

files from the operating system that way. Finally you could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile

should
be safe, but you would have

to reinstall all applications on top of themselves, install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since

a
new one would be created

with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;308421 --- same for w2K

Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000. I

do
not

have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in-place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible" installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I did not
proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair"

first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet

access. --
-

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;Q306952
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


"THOMAS" <[email protected]>

wrote
in

message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\

folder
on

my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at all. I
believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is authorized to
access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of getting the
original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.

.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom

-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and I wanted that data what I
would do is put the drive in another computer running

Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and

access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to

check for corruption, which you

can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed into a desktop and of course the
drives will need to be configured appropriately as

master/slave or cable select. If

you do try to recover data from another computer, you may need to go to Computer
Management/disk management/properties for that drive to initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is

valuable and you have exhausted

all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a data recovery specialist though
they may not be cheap but probably will give you an

estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop

IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 --- another one.

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that you
can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or a
friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since a
new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000. I do
not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in-place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I did not
proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair" first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;Q306952
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\ folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at all. I
believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is authorized to
access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of getting the
original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.

.

 

[THOMAS]

Steve,

I have just completed running CHKDSK on the C drive (the
only drive). With the /P switch some errors were
found....but there was over 16GB out of 20GB available.
After running with the /R switch there were no errors, bad
sectors, etc. 16GB available

Somewhere I read that when security is lost (For lack of a
better term) only the C:\winnt folder and the commands in
it are available. Any other folders access is denied. I
have tried getting into other folders and have found this
to be true (using the recovery console). Can this have
some to do with it?

I have had problems with the CDROM drive on my other
(working) DELL laptop. I have another CDROM drive I can
slip into the screwed up DELL laptop. I'll try the
install again to see if this corrects the problem with
copying files. I'll let you know.

Thanks again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom

-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and

I
wanted that data what I

would do is put the drive in another computer running

Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and

access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to

check for corruption, which you

can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed

into
a desktop and of course the

drives will need to be configured appropriately as

master/slave or cable select. If

you do try to recover data from another computer, you

may
need to go to Computer

Management/disk management/properties for that drive to initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is

valuable and you have exhausted

all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a

data
recovery specialist though

they may not be cheap but probably will give you an

estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop

IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 ---

another one.

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv

and
on

and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so

that
you

can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer

[or
a

friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile

since
a

new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000.

I
do

not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in- place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I

did
not

proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair" first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

"Steven L Umbach" <[email protected]>

wrote
in

message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\ folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at

all.
I

believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is

authorized
to

access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of

getting
the

original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.



.

.

 

[THOMAS]

Steve,

I forgot one thing, you mentioned disabling virus
protection. This laptop was running Norton System Works
and the autoprotect feature was enabled. I'm not sure
what you mean by virus protection in the cmos? I've heard
of cmos but don't know exactly what it is.....or how to
disble?

Thank you,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom

-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and

I
wanted that data what I

would do is put the drive in another computer running

Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and

access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to

check for corruption, which you

can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed

into
a desktop and of course the

drives will need to be configured appropriately as

master/slave or cable select. If

you do try to recover data from another computer, you

may
need to go to Computer

Management/disk management/properties for that drive to initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is

valuable and you have exhausted

all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a

data
recovery specialist though

they may not be cheap but probably will give you an

estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop

IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 ---

another one.

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv

and
on

and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so

that
you

can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer

[or
a

friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile

since
a

new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000.

I
do

not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in- place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I

did
not

proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair" first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

"Steven L Umbach" <[email protected]>

wrote
in

message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\ folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at

all.
I

believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is

authorized
to

access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of

getting
the

original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.



.

.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Good thing you ran Check Disk as that may help. Normally there should be access even
if you remove the everyone group since normally the system and administrators group
is still left, but obviously something happened. I don't think that permission snafus
should impede another installation of the operating system though I have never tried
installing into the same partition. If Check Disk found your drive to have no errors,
that is good news as the probability of retrieving your data should be high, even if
you have to do it in another computer. --- Steve

Steve,

I have just completed running CHKDSK on the C drive (the
only drive). With the /P switch some errors were
found....but there was over 16GB out of 20GB available.
After running with the /R switch there were no errors, bad
sectors, etc. 16GB available

Somewhere I read that when security is lost (For lack of a
better term) only the C:\winnt folder and the commands in
it are available. Any other folders access is denied. I
have tried getting into other folders and have found this
to be true (using the recovery console). Can this have
some to do with it?

I have had problems with the CDROM drive on my other
(working) DELL laptop. I have another CDROM drive I can
slip into the screwed up DELL laptop. I'll try the
install again to see if this corrects the problem with
copying files. I'll let you know.

Thanks again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom
-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard
drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the
install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The
hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one
partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and I
wanted that data what I
would do is put the drive in another computer running
Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and
access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to
check for corruption, which you
can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain
access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed into
a desktop and of course the
drives will need to be configured appropriately as
master/slave or cable select. If
you do try to recover data from another computer, you may
need to go to Computer
Management/disk management/properties for that drive to
initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is
valuable and you have exhausted
all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a data
recovery specialist though
they may not be cheap but probably will give you an
estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop
IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 ---
another one.


message
Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot
copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and
on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD,
however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you
will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that
you
can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or
a
friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile
should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since
a
new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the
system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000. I
do
not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in- place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I did
not
proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the
message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair"
first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

in
message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link
below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical
updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet
access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;en-
us;Q306952
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


"THOMAS" <[email protected]>
wrote
in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\
folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at all.
I
believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is authorized
to
access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of getting
the
original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.



.

.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Cmos is the built in hardware/motherboard settings of the computer that is operating
system dependant and usually is brought up by selecting delete key or such right
after computer boot up starts. Often there is a virus protection feature built into
the computer [not sure exactly what it is supposed to do], but it is recommended that
it be disabled during any operating system install. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;125480 --- describes cmos
virus protection.

Steve,

I forgot one thing, you mentioned disabling virus
protection. This laptop was running Norton System Works
and the autoprotect feature was enabled. I'm not sure
what you mean by virus protection in the cmos? I've heard
of cmos but don't know exactly what it is.....or how to
disble?

Thank you,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom
-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard
drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the
install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The
hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one
partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and I
wanted that data what I
would do is put the drive in another computer running
Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and
access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to
check for corruption, which you
can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain
access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed into
a desktop and of course the
drives will need to be configured appropriately as
master/slave or cable select. If
you do try to recover data from another computer, you may
need to go to Computer
Management/disk management/properties for that drive to
initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is
valuable and you have exhausted
all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a data
recovery specialist though
they may not be cheap but probably will give you an
estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop
IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 ---
another one.


message
Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot
copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and
on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD,
however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you
will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that
you
can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or
a
friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile
should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since
a
new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the
system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000. I
do
not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in- place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I did
not
proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the
message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair"
first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

in
message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link
below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical
updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet
access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;en-
us;Q306952
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


"THOMAS" <[email protected]>
wrote
in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\
folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at all.
I
believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is authorized
to
access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of getting
the
original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.



.

.

 

[THOMAS]

Steve,

I found two additional CDROM drives and tried the parallel
installation of Win2000. I got the same error messages
with each CDROM drive...."setup cannot copy the file:
_default.pif", etc.

You mentioned connecting the hard drive to a desktop
computer. I took my laptop to a local computer store and
I'm pretty certain this was one thing they did try. They
gave me the laptop back and said they couldn't fix it!

I will try taking it to a data recovery company as a last
resort.

I know I am running out of options.....but I'm persistent!

Thank you again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom

-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and

I
wanted that data what I

would do is put the drive in another computer running

Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and

access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to

check for corruption, which you

can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed

into
a desktop and of course the

drives will need to be configured appropriately as

master/slave or cable select. If

you do try to recover data from another computer, you

may
need to go to Computer

Management/disk management/properties for that drive to initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is

valuable and you have exhausted

all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a

data
recovery specialist though

they may not be cheap but probably will give you an

estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?

ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop

IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 ---

another one.

Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv

and
on

and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD, however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so

that
you

can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer

[or
a

friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile

since
a

new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000.

I
do

not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in- place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I

did
not

proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair" first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

"Steven L Umbach" <[email protected]>

wrote
in

message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\ folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at

all.
I

believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is

authorized
to

access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of

getting
the

original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.



.

.

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Geez, I wonder exactly what the computer repair store did? Since you ruled
out bad cdrom drive, it still could be problem with install CD. Before
taking to a data recovery service, try using one of those adapters that I
provided a link to and try yourself. Another alternative is to purchase ERD
commander from Sysinternals for $199 and maybe you would have luck with it.
You may want to email or otherwise contact them about your particular
problem. --- Steve

http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/erdcommander2002.asp

Steve,

I found two additional CDROM drives and tried the parallel
installation of Win2000. I got the same error messages
with each CDROM drive...."setup cannot copy the file:
_default.pif", etc.

You mentioned connecting the hard drive to a desktop
computer. I took my laptop to a local computer store and
I'm pretty certain this was one thing they did try. They
gave me the laptop back and said they couldn't fix it!

I will try taking it to a data recovery company as a last
resort.

I know I am running out of options.....but I'm persistent!

Thank you again,

Tom

-----Original Message-----
It's very hard to say for sure without seeing it. I am surprised you are
having a problem with upgrade install and parallel installation as I don't
think what you did would should cause all those problems with copying the
files. As I said it could be a problem with the install cdrom, the cdrom
drive, or even something else. Sometimes a cd drive has a problem with a
particular cd disk - I have seen a lot of odd things. Like I said, my next
plan of attack would be to put the drive into another computer to see what
is found with the goal of getting the data files. Also if the laptop has any
built in virus protection in the cmos, be sure to disable it before
attempting any installation. --- Steve

Steve,

I may have a problem with the HD.....if I do it was a
sudden crash. But, the laptop continuously ran Norton
WinDr. and there was no problem...and I am fairly rigorous
about doing drive scans and defrags.

Let me explain how this whole thing got started more
clearly to see if this changes your mind.

I have a network at home with two Win2000 laptops and a
Win ME desktop. I was using laptop #2 and logged onto
laptop #1 via the network. I then right clicked on the C
drive of laptop #1, selected properties, and then selected
the security tab. I highlighted EVERYONE and then clicked
Remove (there were no other users). I did get an error
message about this would not allow anyone to access the
drive.....but I went ahead anyway (I was watching a
football game and not paying attention!). I later went
over to laptop #1 and shut it down. When I attempted to
power it back up right then......the problems started. I
got a blue screen and a Fatal Stop error message.

I know....real dumb!

I think I can run chdsk from the recovery console.....I
will give that a try.

If you have any additional suggestions.......please pass
them along!

Thanks again!

Tom
-----Original Message-----
Ouch. It sounds like you have a problem with your hard
drive if it can not copy the
files, unless there is a problem with your cdrom or the
install disk itself. Your
laptop may have built in diagnostics you can try. The
hard drive may be physically
OK, but needs a format. Unfortunately you have only one
partition. I doubt Microsoft
could help much on this one. If it was my computer and I
wanted that data what I
would do is put the drive in another computer running
Windows 2000/XP Pro, to try and
access the data possibly running Check Disk on it to
check for corruption, which you
can also do from Recovery Console also if you can gain
access. There are inexpensive
adapters to allow laptop hard drives to be installed into
a desktop and of course the
drives will need to be configured appropriately as
master/slave or cable select. If
you do try to recover data from another computer, you may
need to go to Computer
Management/disk management/properties for that drive to
initialize [not format] the
drive if W2K does not recognize it. If your data is
valuable and you have exhausted
all possibilities at your end, you may try to use a data
recovery specialist though
they may not be cheap but probably will give you an
estimate. Good luck. --- Steve

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&item=3451879115&category=26266 --- laptop
IDE adapter.
http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HD-108 ---
another one.


message
Steve,

I just tried the parallel install into a NEW directory.
It didn't work. I followed K.B. article 266465 to the
letter. I got to step #7 and typed in a new folder name
(\winnt2) and started the install. I got the same error
messages (THOUSANDS of them) as before: "setup cannot
copy
the file: xxxxx.xxx". The first file name was
_default.pif and then 0401.csv, 0404.csv, 0405.csv and
on
and on and on. I finally cancelled the install.

Now what?

Do you think it is time to spend the $245 and call
Microsoft?

If you have other suggestions, I'm also willing to try
more.

Thanks again,

Tom
-----Original Message-----
You can try fast repair even if you have no ERD,
however
since an installation was
not found it would not help. You did the right thing by
not proceeding if you are not
sure. You have a couple options left. You could do a
parallel installation of Windows
2000 by installing another copy - preferably on another
partition if possible but NOT
into existing \winnt folder. If it is successful you
will
be able to boot into the
new install and have access to your data files, though
you may need to take
"ownership" of them first as an administrator so that
you
can change permission to
give yourself access. If you have another computer [or
a
friend] running Windows 2000
/XP Pro, you could install your hard drive as a
slave/secondary drive and access your
files from the operating system that way. Finally you
could reinstall W2K into the
existing \winnt folder if it is detected during the
install process, but not
formatting. If you try that, your data and profile
should
be safe, but you would have
to reinstall all applications on top of themselves,
install service pack/critical
updates, and retrieve date from your old profile since
a
new one would be created
with the installation. --- Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;ko;266465
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx? scid=kb;en-
us;308421 --- same for w2K

message
Dear Steve,

1. I tried the fast repair option. However, the
system
cannot find an existing installation of Win2000. I
do
not
have an Emerg Repair Disk.

2. I followed 292175 and I'm certain I did this once
before. Anyway, I was concerned about the following
message in Step #4 "Setup should now detect your
installation. NOTE: If the Setup program does not
detect a
previous installation but just continues to the
partitioning screen, there is a problem. An in- place
upgrade may not be possible." I'm not sure if this
happened or not. Setup detected a "possible"
installation
in C:\winnt and warned that "ALL files would be
overwritten......including C:\My Documents". I did
not
proceed any further for fear of erasing all my data.

Should I proceed to step #5 and ignore the
message?????
-----Original Message-----
You also might want to try a "fast repair"
first. ---

Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;EN-
US;238359

in
message
Do an upgrade install as described in KB link
below.
You will have to visit Windows
Update to reinstall service pack and critical
updates
however which should not be a
big deal if you have high speed internet
access. --
-
Steve

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;en-
us;Q306952
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=kb;en-
us;Q292175


"THOMAS" <[email protected]>
wrote
in
message
I accidently removed EVERYONE from the C:\
folder
on
my
laptop. Now, the system will not boot at all.
I
believe
the system now thinks that NO ONE is authorized
to
access
my laptop!

I have used the Recovery Console to
repair/reinstall
Windows. It did not work. Instead of getting
the
original Fatal Error now all I get is NTLDR is
missing.

HELP!

Thank You in advance!




.



.



.

.