Hello Quiller,
Following a power interruption (in the past, from an area power outage) I'd found that running CHKDSK to be helpful.
Given you only have a manufacturer's recovery CD, then, as long as your pc has a diskette drive,
Get & use the Microsoft XP setup diskettes, then run CHKDSK.
Obtaining Windows XP Setup Boot Disks MS-KB Article 310994
<
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310994>
{The site requires login with a Passport account}.
You need to do 1 download. Follow instructions. This process makes a set of 6 diskettes
Get the version that is proper to your edition of XP, and to the service pack on it. (e.g., if your Windows is on XP service pack 2, get the set for service pack 2. Also, if you have Home edition, get the one for Home).
(It goes without saying, you need to do the download & create the diskettes on a working pc).
Obviously, you need to mark each diskette (1 to 6) so you know which is which. <g>
- -
Run CHKDSK /P from within the XP Recovery Console !
Set pc BIOS to boot from diskette drive. Place diskette #1 in drive. Reboot pc.
Once diskette 1 is loaded, you'll be prompted to load the rest of the set ( one by one).
The intent here is not to setup Windows XP, but rather to be able to get to a point where the RECOVERY CONSOLE can be selected.
Select the first option R Repair/Recovery Console. Select your Windows partition by number. Usually it is 1 .
(Jim, your IBM notebook may have the Windows o.s. on partition 2 ! )
Login to XP with administrator password. (If there is no password, press TAB key, and press Enter).
Then run CHKDSK /P from the command line. (In Recovery Console /P replaces /F ).
Run it once (or repeat) until it shows no errors.
Run CHKDSK for each drive on your system.
CHKDSK /P :X where X is letter for disk drive
When you do log in to Recovery Console, & run CHKDSK ---it ** will complain ** about "missing AUTOCHK.exe".
This is where you point it ---you'll need to type it ---
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 (then press Enter-Key)
Note: Your pc may have Windows at \WINNT .... if so, point to C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32
To exit the Recovery Console, use the EXIT command.
Then remove diskette, restart the computer. Then see if you can login.
References for Recovery Console:
Description of the Windows XP Recovery Console - Article ID 314058
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=314058
IF and only if this does not work, you may try to the following:
The MS Knowledge Base article noted below, may help in restoring a "prior XP
System Restore point", in the case where you are unable to do this from a
Windows session. This article describes how to start the System Restore
tool when you are unable to start your Windows XP-based computer normally or
in Safe mode.
You may be able to do it from a "special command prompt"... "Safe Mode with Command Prompt".
It would seem the requirements would be:
1. You had restore point(s) from before. (Which also means System Restore is active on your XP.)
2. You have to be able to "selectively" bootup your pc into "Safe mode with command prompt".
3. Follow the directions to use "rstrui.exe" the XP System Restore program.
HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt ( 304449)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449/
Let us know about the results.
