Upgraded from 98 to XP - computer crashed and asks for full XP CD

[Guest]

We upgraded out pc from Windows 98 to windows XP. Since then our computer
has crashed and when we try to start up, it asks for a full windows XP
installation disk. All we have is an upgrade CD and it won't read it.

After trying to fix it and booting of a floppy, it stopped in the middle of
loading windows, and now, in addition, its says the video is stuck in an
endless loop.

HELP, we have to at least get some important files off this computer. The
only other computer we have is a laptop, so we dont' think we can attach it
as a second hard drive.

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

We upgraded out pc from Windows 98 to windows XP. Since then our computer
has crashed and when we try to start up, it asks for a full windows XP
installation disk. All we have is an upgrade CD and it won't read it.

After trying to fix it and booting of a floppy, it stopped in the middle of
loading windows, and now, in addition, its says the video is stuck in an
endless loop.

HELP, we have to at least get some important files off this computer. The
only other computer we have is a laptop, so we dont' think we can attach it
as a second hard drive.

Thanks,
Michelle

The iron rule of computing says that all important files
must be backed up to an independent medium at least
weekly. Many people choose to ignore this rule until
they suffer a king hit.

To retrieve your important files, try this:
1. Boot the machine with a Win98 boot disk from www.bootdisk.com.
2. Download and run ntfsdos.exe (www.sysinternals.com).
3. Navigate to the folder where your files reside and copy them to
a floppy disk. You may end up with short file names only.

To reload WinXP, try this:
1. Boot the machine with your WinXP CD.
2. Allow the hard disk to be formatted when prompted (after
saving your important files!)
3. Insert your Win98 CD when prompted.