OS corrupted...how can I save my C drive data?

[Liz]

Hey all, I need some MAJOR help. A few days ago my system (Windows XP
Home) crapped out on me...think its due to a corrupted operating system.
Anyway, I have my Recovery CD from Compaq and when my system recognizes it,
I can select from the following options.

1. Emergency Diskette (Save diskette for future use if Windows will not
start.)
2. User Backup (User backup will backup the contents of your C: drive.)
3. No User Image found (Please perform a user backup before attempting a
user restore.)
4. Factory Restore (Returns your computer to its original factory
condition.)
5. Exit

I CANNOT lose my stuff on my C drive! Normally I'd select factory restore
and everything would be just peachy but I need my stuff on my C drive (well,
actually everything in My Documents and some of my Program Files), so I'm
clueless as to what I should do. I tried selecting option 2 but when the
green screen with the grey SystemSave window comes up, I get an error
message that says: "Error #1534 Cluster cross-linked or not allocated". I
click enter, then another error message comes up saying: "Error #501
Cross-linked files were found". Then it just shuts down and a blue window
appears telling me to remove the recovery CD and to shut off my machine.

ANY help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[Rich Barry]

Liz, removing the drive and connecting it as slave to another
computer would be the fastest and easiest way.
Did you try tapping F8 on startup until you get a Menu then select
Safe Mode. You can try a System Restore from there.

 

[Guest]

Actually the best way to save user settings and all user files,is to run the
File Transfer Wizard,set computer as old in the wizard,select which files to
save,then save data in a new folder that you create,once its thru,move the
folder to a cd.

 

[Richard Urban]

The O/P states that she has a corrupted operating system. To use FAST you
have to be able to enter the operating system. Just how do you propose that
she use FAST?

Start reading Andrew!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Richard Urban]

Liz,

Please do as Rich Barry states. He is correct!

Put your drive in another computer as a slave drive. You may have to change
the jumpers on both the original drive and your drive to designate them as
master and slave respectively. Boot up the alternate system. You should be
able to see the files on your drive. If you do, copy what you need to CD's.
Then you can change the jumpers back to the way they were originally. Place
your drive back in your computer. Now you can run the restore to put the
drive back in the condition it was in when you purchased the computer!



--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!