Windows Won't Load -- How to save data without paying thousands

G

Guest

We've done everything possible -- Windows XP Pro won't load. Did the whole
array rebuilding thing and it's gone. The hard drives will be replaced --
however, I did access my data briefly before the second and final crash
happened. I copied over some of it to my laptop -- but not all.

Is there a way to recover the data (Word files, text files, xls files, etc.)
without spending thousands with a data recovery service?

Thanks for any help.

Meryl
 
G

Gordon

We've done everything possible -- Windows XP Pro won't load. Did the whole
array rebuilding thing and it's gone. The hard drives will be replaced --
however, I did access my data briefly before the second and final crash
happened. I copied over some of it to my laptop -- but not all.

Is there a way to recover the data (Word files, text files, xls files, etc.)
without spending thousands with a data recovery service?

Thanks for any help.

Meryl

Two ways - the BEST way (as you have windows) is to construct (on another
machine obviously) a bootable XP CD as here:

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

The second way is to get a live CD of a Linux distro - Knoppix is the one
that is usually cited in these conditions (although there are others)

http://www.knoppix.org/

If you need to access the HDD urgently, then I would suggest Knoppix as
Bart takes a little time and effort to put together.

Either of these are CDs that run operating systems directly off the CD
allowing you to copy data from the unbootable Windows disk.

HTH
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

Meryl said:
We've done everything possible -- Windows XP Pro won't load. Did the whole
array rebuilding thing and it's gone. The hard drives will be replaced --
however, I did access my data briefly before the second and final crash
happened. I copied over some of it to my laptop -- but not all.

Is there a way to recover the data (Word files, text files, xls files, etc.)
without spending thousands with a data recovery service?

Thanks for any help.

Meryl

Install the problem disk as a slave disk in some other WinXP/2000
PC, then copy the files to that PC's hard disk.

About spending thousands with a recovery service: Using a 2.5"
hard disk in an external USB case would cost you only around
$100 and it would make an excellent medium to back up your
important files on a weekly basis.
 
T

Talahasee

We've done everything possible -- Windows XP Pro won't load. Did the whole
array rebuilding thing and it's gone. The hard drives will be replaced --
however, I did access my data briefly before the second and final crash
happened. I copied over some of it to my laptop -- but not all.

Is there a way to recover the data (Word files, text files, xls files, etc.)
without spending thousands with a data recovery service?

Thanks for any help.

Meryl


I recently bought an external hard drive enclosure, one I
can turn on and off, with a power light and a data access
light. Usb connected.

I put an 80 Gb that would no longer take a boot sector, and
put it in the external hard drive enclosure (knowing the
drive was failing). I then ordered a new hard drive to
replace the 80 Gb.

It worked PERFECTLY as a backup data drive until my new hard
drive came, and I am continuing to use the brand-new 80 Gb
as a backup drive.

Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
G

Guest

Thanks for the fast replies. Here's more information:

Have a RAID1 congfiguration in which a HD failed. The HD has been replaced
and the array has been rebuilt, but for some reason, Windows will not load.
It hangs immediately after the Windows splash screen. When attempting a
repair installation, it hangs after selecting the installation you want to
repair. How do I fix it / make it work?
 
M

Malke

Meryl said:
Thanks for the fast replies. Here's more information:

Have a RAID1 congfiguration in which a HD failed. The HD has been
replaced and the array has been rebuilt, but for some reason, Windows
will not load. It hangs immediately after the Windows splash screen.
When attempting a repair installation, it hangs after selecting the
installation you want to repair. How do I fix it / make it work?

Even during the Repair Install, I believe you have to press F6 to load
the RAID drivers. Did you do this? RAID 1 - one of the best ways to
lose all your data.

If you don't have any luck with this and the data is crucial, stop
working on the drives immediately and contact a professional data
recovery firm. Yes, their services are not inexpensive but only you can
determine the value of your data. I like DriveSavers
(www.drivesavers.com), but there are others.

Malke
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top