I think I need help...

[Guest]

I have WIndows XP home edition. I've had it for aout a year and I haven't had
any major problems. But today when I tried signing in to my account, a messae
appeared that there was a c drive failure. I have no idea what to do. I don't
think I will be able to retrieve any of my information that was on there. I
have no idea how to fix it. Can someone help?

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Meaghan,

You need to boot to the Recovery Console and run chkdsk c: /r from the
prompt. If this doesn't help, then you may have had a failed hard drive.

HOW TO: Install and Use the Recovery Console in Windows XP [Q307654]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307654

If you don't have a WinXP CD (common in many preinstalled systems), use the
boot floppy set:

Using the WinXP Boot floppy set:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Boot floppy

When running chkdsk, you will be prompted for the location of autochk.exe,
indicate C:\Windows\system32

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Chelsea]

Hi Meaghan,
no lectures about backing up! First thing is this error consistant ie does
it happen every time the system starts? Second how old is the computer? Next
do you know about defragmenting your hard disk and if so when did you last
do it. If you can sometimes get into Windows there are things that can be
tried- if not some measures need to be taken to first safeguard your data on
the PC. This doesn't always need to be costly a local technician should be
able to hook another hard disk with an OS to your system using your current
c drive as a slave. Once in Windows your current drive should show up in
explorer and your things in My Documents can be moved somewhere safe. Also
things like chkdsk can be run. A good technician will also have programs
lite CheckIT Pro and Microscope which run from your A: drive and so don't
need windows. These are analysis programs that can test the IDE controller
on your hard disk and also do a wide array of tests to find out if your hard
disk is working. Going straight to a data recovery company should be avoided
because your looking at a bill of hundreds of dollars!

Chelsea

 

[Jack]

By your post I think you should definitely take it to a repair shop. You are
not quailfied to do any repairs to the system. I am supprised you found the
On / Off switch on the thing !

 

[Chelsea]

There's nothing worse than being silly and have everybody telling you how
silly you have been. Backing up is just not sexy is it? I can't complain
because I have made a good living recovering un-backed up files over the
years, but its amazing how many clients think you can get their system back
exactly as it was before failing without any backup. For me I couldn't do
without backing up my machines at least once each week. If Meghan wants a
recommendation get yourself Acronis Trueimage Workstation Edition -which in
my opinion is better than Symantec Ghost cheaper-more user friendly and
more innovative by far. Available in the UK for £29, which is less than I
would charge to do data-recovery for someone.

Chelsea

 

[Chelsea]

Hi Treeman,
I havn't heard of Casper before I'll take a look at it. I also have a
striped Raid with a couple of Raptor drives so am always looking for robust
software thats Raid friendly. I like the name they have given to it, surely
its not a coincidence that they have called it Casper (ie most associated
with the friendly ghost comic stories+movies) and Symantec Ghost is their
primary competition. Very clever lol

Chelsea