Write to CD in Safe Mode

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark Layton
  • Start date Start date
M

Mark Layton

I have a Windows XP Home EMachine which won't boot except in Safe Mode. I'd
like to use my Restore CDs to recover, but I have a lot of family photos I'd
like to keep. Is there a way I can copy my picture files to CD in Safe
Mode. I have approximately 750Mb of files, so using floppies isn't a viable
option. Also, I have no access to another computer or the internet from
this machine, so I can't save to a network share. Please help!

Mark
 
Unless you are planning on something as drastic as formatting your
partitions on which you have your data (photos), repairing WINXP from the CD
will not erase your data (photos).

If your partitions are formatted FAT 32 (not NTFS) and you have a DOS boot
disk (WIN 98 variety) you can use that to boot and get CD support.
 
Thanks for the input. I wish I had a real XP CD. Then there would be no
big problem. But I only have the eMachines "Restore CD". It completely
wipes the disk and restores it to the state it was when I bought it. All my
data - gone. So I need a way to save my pics before I wipe the disk and
restore XP. Any other ideas?

When I boot into Safe Mode, I can access the CD drive to read CDs, but I
can't write to the CD. Apparently that support is not loaded in Safe Mode.
Maybe there's a way to manually add CD write support once Safe Mode is
loaded.

Mark
 
Mark said:
Thanks for the input. I wish I had a real XP CD. Then there would
be no big problem. But I only have the eMachines "Restore CD". It
completely wipes the disk and restores it to the state it was when I
bought it. All my data - gone. So I need a way to save my pics
before I wipe the disk and restore XP. Any other ideas?
Click to expand...


None whatsoever. You cannot burn discs from Safe Mode
When I boot into Safe Mode, I can access the CD drive to read CDs,
but I can't write to the CD. Apparently that support is not loaded
in Safe Mode. Maybe there's a way to manually add CD write support
once Safe Mode is loaded.
Click to expand...

Nope. Damn, I bet you really wish you'd kept up with those weekly back-ups
now! No sympathy whatsoever, if your photos were that precious to you you'd
have backed them up long ago. As you haven't, I assume they're not, and you
can simply wipe and start over.

Guess you're learning an important lesson the hard way...
 
Can I make 2 suggestions.

Solution 1:

Find a friend with a PC. Take your hard disk out & put it into your friends
machine using the second IDE connection on the hard disk cable. When your
friend boots his computer open windows explorer and you will see two hard
disk drives - just copy the files you want to his disk, put your disk back
in your machine and restore it. When everything is working go back to your
friend and copy the files back again.

Solution 2:

Put a second hard disk in your machine - they cost very little - and copy
your files to it before restore. If you have an IDE cable with only one
connector you may have to buy a new cable as well. In future use an
automatic backup tool such as File SyncForce to dynamically backup all your
user files from one disk to the other then you are safe if you get a
catastrophic disk failure or another problem like this.

Good Luck.
 
You don't say but is the machine formatted in NTFS? If it is is you can
still access your data via DOS but it becomes slightly more complicated as
you will need NTFSDOS. NTFSDOS will allow you to read the data from your
WINXP volume an you can then write it to a CD.

I suggest you obtain a WIN 98 DOS boot disk (floppy). This is downloadable
from www.bootdisk.com. After you have this bootable floppy with CD support
you can read the WINXP volume and write you files to a CD provided the HDD
volume is formatted FAT. If it is formatted NTFS you must download and
install NTFSDOS to the floppy and you should be able to access your data and
write it to a CD.

Hope this helps.
 
Mark Layton wrote:
: Thanks for the input. I wish I had a real XP CD. Then there would
: be no big problem. But I only have the eMachines "Restore CD". It
: completely wipes the disk and restores it to the state it was when I
: bought it. All my data - gone. So I need a way to save my pics
: before I wipe the disk and restore XP. Any other ideas?
:
: When I boot into Safe Mode, I can access the CD drive to read CDs,
: but I can't write to the CD. Apparently that support is not loaded
: in Safe Mode. Maybe there's a way to manually add CD write support
: once Safe Mode is loaded.
:
: Mark
Just a thought, I'm not sure but the restore CD may just the boot
partition. Do you have only one partition. Can you create another and
copy files to it.
TonyS
: :: Unless you are planning on something as drastic as formatting your
:: partitions on which you have your data (photos), repairing WINXP
:: from the CD will not erase your data (photos).
::
:: If your partitions are formatted FAT 32 (not NTFS) and you have a
:: DOS boot disk (WIN 98 variety) you can use that to boot and get CD
:: support.
::
::
:: ::: I have a Windows XP Home EMachine which won't boot except in Safe
::: Mode. I'd
::: like to use my Restore CDs to recover, but I have a lot of family
::: photos I'd
::: like to keep. Is there a way I can copy my picture files to CD in
::: Safe Mode. I have approximately 750Mb of files, so using floppies
::: isn't a viable
::: option. Also, I have no access to another computer or the internet
::: from this machine, so I can't save to a network share. Please help!
:::
::: Mark
 
Hi Mark,
Maybe somebody here can tell us all if we have USB support in safe mode. If
we do, then one option would be to go get one of those usb drives. You can
get about 128 megs for $30 or so, and copy your photos to it, take it to a
2nd machine somewhere, put them there, etc. It would take about 6 trips.
If you get a 256 MB you can do it with fewer, etc. The other option is to
buy an external USB hard drive. I have one and it has saved me many times,
and also my firends, neighbors, and family members! You can get an 80 gig
or so for around $100 after rebates from Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. I
also bought an external CD burner that works through the USB port. It too
has been a life saver.

If safe mode doesn't support usb or you don't want to spend the cash, then
the guy who suggested pulling the hd and installing it as a slave in
somebody else's computer is the best bet. It's easy to do. You'll have to
see if his and yours are set to cable select or if they are both set to
master,etc. This is done via the tiny jumpers on the back of the hard
drives. If you opt to go that way and need help, repost and somebody'll
give you detailed instructions.

A
 
Do I understand correctly that a WIN 98 DOS boot disk that I can get from
www.bootdisk.com will allow writing to the CD? The disc drive is a single
FAT32 partition (C:), so NTFSDOS shouldn't be necessary. Thanks.

Mark
 
The drive on the machine is formatted as one 20GB FAT32 partition. I don't
have any nondestructive partitioning software like Partition Magic. Can
Fdisk create another partition from the unused space on my C: partition
without harming the existing structure?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Mark
 
Did you read the OP?

" Also, I have no access to another computer or the internet from
this machine, so I can't save to a network share."

Puts "Did you ever consider telling the OP to boot into safe mode with networking, and transfer the files to another computer?" Why say it when the OP states that it is not possible?

--
Just my 2¢ worth,
Jeff
__________in response to__________
"P.Cyr" <johndoe532004AThotmailDOTcom> wrote in message | Did you ever consider telling the OP to boot into safe mode with networking,
| and transfer the files to another computer? Or how but physically moving
| the hard drive to another computer and copying the data that way?
|
| --
| Paul Cyr
|
| -----
 
Mark Layton wrote:
: The drive on the machine is formatted as one 20GB FAT32 partition. I
: don't have any nondestructive partitioning software like Partition
: Magic. Can Fdisk create another partition from the unused space on
: my C: partition without harming the existing structure?
:
: Thanks for taking the time to respond.
:
: Mark

Tough position. I don't think so. I would slave a 2nd HD in and copy
away but if you don't have one handy....
Or get flash card reader(usb) and borrow cards from all your friends
cameras.
Back to the real issue why does it only boot to safe mode. Fix that and
all this other stuff is moot.

: :: Mark Layton wrote:
::: Thanks for the input. I wish I had a real XP CD. Then there would
::: be no big problem. But I only have the eMachines "Restore CD". It
::: completely wipes the disk and restores it to the state it was when I
::: bought it. All my data - gone. So I need a way to save my pics
::: before I wipe the disk and restore XP. Any other ideas?
:::
::: When I boot into Safe Mode, I can access the CD drive to read CDs,
::: but I can't write to the CD. Apparently that support is not loaded
::: in Safe Mode. Maybe there's a way to manually add CD write support
::: once Safe Mode is loaded.
:::
::: Mark
:: Just a thought, I'm not sure but the restore CD may just the boot
:: partition. Do you have only one partition. Can you create another and
:: copy files to it.
:: TonyS
::: :::: Unless you are planning on something as drastic as formatting your
:::: partitions on which you have your data (photos), repairing WINXP
:::: from the CD will not erase your data (photos).
::::
:::: If your partitions are formatted FAT 32 (not NTFS) and you have a
:::: DOS boot disk (WIN 98 variety) you can use that to boot and get CD
:::: support.
::::
::::
:::: ::::: I have a Windows XP Home EMachine which won't boot except in Safe
::::: Mode. I'd
::::: like to use my Restore CDs to recover, but I have a lot of family
::::: photos I'd
::::: like to keep. Is there a way I can copy my picture files to CD in
::::: Safe Mode. I have approximately 750Mb of files, so using floppies
::::: isn't a viable
::::: option. Also, I have no access to another computer or the
::::: internet from this machine, so I can't save to a network share.
::::: Please help!
:::::
::::: Mark
 
» mrtee « said:
Did you read the OP?

" Also, I have no access to another computer or the internet from
this machine, so I can't save to a network share."

Puts "Did you ever consider telling the OP to boot into safe mode
with networking, and transfer the files to another computer?" Why
say it when the OP states that it is not possible?
Click to expand...

Because Paulie is an idiot. He's 14, and responds to posts because he can't
be bothered to do his homework. I had a very interesting email exchange with
his father a while back. It seems that Paulie is banned from using the
computer, but he's obviously hacked it. Hopefully, it won't be long before
Daddy finds out (the trail of spyware and pornography should be a dead
giveaway).

I had him banned from Hotmail some time ago, but it seems that Hotmail's
promise to ban an offender for life is a complete fabrication. Never mind,
the second he steps over the line again...
 
Gottcha/

--
Just my 2¢ worth,
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| Because Paulie is an idiot. He's 14, and responds to posts because he can't
| be bothered to do his homework. I had a very interesting email exchange with
| his father a while back. It seems that Paulie is banned from using the
| computer, but he's obviously hacked it. Hopefully, it won't be long before
| Daddy finds out (the trail of spyware and pornography should be a dead
| giveaway).
|
| I had him banned from Hotmail some time ago, but it seems that Hotmail's
| promise to ban an offender for life is a complete fabrication. Never mind,
| the second he steps over the line again...
|
| --
| My great-grandfather was born and raised in Elgin - did he eventually
| lose his marbles?
|
|
|
 
MPT is a big fat poopie head.

In all honesty, I countered her points in another thread, but she seems
content to keep posting the same information, which is fine, if she was
correct in her arguments of my points. Oh wait! She never even tried to
argue them.

I also find it amusing how she posts personal information, but reports users
to their ISP if they do the same.

If she had a email conversation with my father, perhaps she would be so kind
to let us know his email address. Perhaps my father is the milk-man?

On that note, she says I don't do my homework, but hey, at least I know that
it's against MS's terms of use to insult other users.

abuse report sent to (e-mail address removed)
abuse report sent to (e-mail address removed)

--
Paul Cyr

-----

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-----

"» mrtee «" <hingelicker at new.rr.com> wrote in message
Gottcha/

--
Just my 2¢ worth,
Jeff
__________in response to__________
| Because Paulie is an idiot. He's 14, and responds to posts because he
can't
| be bothered to do his homework. I had a very interesting email exchange
with
| his father a while back. It seems that Paulie is banned from using the
| computer, but he's obviously hacked it. Hopefully, it won't be long before
| Daddy finds out (the trail of spyware and pornography should be a dead
| giveaway).
|
| I had him banned from Hotmail some time ago, but it seems that Hotmail's
| promise to ban an offender for life is a complete fabrication. Never mind,
| the second he steps over the line again...
|
| --
| My great-grandfather was born and raised in Elgin - did he eventually
| lose his marbles?
|
|
|
 
My mistake.

--
Paul Cyr

-----

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"» mrtee «" <hingelicker at new.rr.com> wrote in message
Did you read the OP?

" Also, I have no access to another computer or the internet from
this machine, so I can't save to a network share."

Puts "Did you ever consider telling the OP to boot into safe mode with
networking, and transfer the files to another computer?" Why say it when
the OP states that it is not possible?

--
Just my 2¢ worth,
Jeff
__________in response to__________
"P.Cyr" <johndoe532004AThotmailDOTcom> wrote in message
| Did you ever consider telling the OP to boot into safe mode with
networking,
| and transfer the files to another computer? Or how but physically moving
| the hard drive to another computer and copying the data that way?
|
| --
| Paul Cyr
|
| -----
 
For the record here is that conversation:

----------------------------------------

See below

--
Paul Cyr

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Miss Perspicacia Tick said:
Paul I think I hear your mother calling you. Don't you have something to
do,
like tidying your bedroom, or washing the car? Or your homework.
Click to expand...

Well your a poopie head! - You don't have anything better to say then
personal attacks? LOL! At least I'm able to attack your actions, instead
of arguing like a 5 year old and calling names that could apply to anyone.
You see, that's the difference between arguing well, and arguing like a 5
year old - when you argue well, you attack the facts at hand and point out
the flaws in the person's reasoning. When you argue like a 5 year old, you
say the same thing to everyone, regardless of what's being talked about, and
has no relevence to the arguement.

If you're going to accuse someone of something, at least get your facts
straight. I have never once used an obscenity anywhere in these groups.
Click to expand...

Wow, for someone with an "English degree", you are sure having trouble
reading.

"...start with the moronic FW who deliberately..."

Now, let's take a look at the definition of obscenity:
(http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=obscenity)


4 entries found for obscenity.

ob·scen·i·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (b-sn-t, b-)
n. pl. ob·scen·i·ties
-The state or quality of being obscene.
-Indecency, lewdness, or offensiveness in behavior, expression, or
appearance.
-Something, such as a word, act, or expression, that is indecent or lewd.
-Something that is offensive or repulsive to the senses: "What had once been
a gentle hill covered with lush grass turned into a brown obscenity of bare
earth and smoke" (Tom Clancy).


Now, let's take a look at indecent, since this definition for obscenity is a
bit vauge (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=indecent):


2 entries found for indecent.

in·de·cent ( P ) Pronunciation Key (n-dsnt)
adj.
-Offensive to good taste; unseemly.
-Offensive to public moral values; immodest. See Synonyms at improper.


Hmm... so calling someone a moronic f**kwit isn't offensive to good taste?
Maybe in the streets of downtown New York or something.

Back in the bozo-bin with you.
Click to expand...

How do I keep getting out? You've said this about 5 times now, but I
somehow escape! Care to clarify?





------------------------------------
No repsonse from MPT on this post, and here is another one from the same
thread:
------------------------------------



LOL! Oh, I'm going to enjoy tearing into these "facts"

--
Paul Cyr

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Miss Perspicacia Tick said:
Ignore it, Nathan. Pot. Kettle. Paulie here has been banned from the
groups
at least once himself.
Click to expand...

Really you ugly poopie head? I'm surprised I never realized that. Could
you tell me when that happened?

Oh, and yes, it is the pot calling the kettle black. Just do a search, and
you'll see users following me around, telling me to go to hell, and even
making entire threads complaining about me.


Oh wait, that never happened.
I have had his Hotmail account terminated twice
Click to expand...

Really? Which ones? I know there was the (e-mail address removed), but what
was the other one?
because he sent me a barrage of viruses and abusive emails.
Click to expand...

Abusive, yes, containing viruses, no.

Oh, and it wasn't even a "barrage of ... abusive emails"

What was it, like 4, 5, or 6? (Rhetorical question BTW) On different days,
regarding different points.

He is about 14
Click to expand...

Stuck in a timewarp? When I started posting here I was 15, and that was
almost a year ago.

And what does age have to do with it? Does age somehow disqualify me from
making an arguement?

If I used you as an example, I'd say everyone over 40 or how ever old you
are can't make an arguement without slinging what's in their diapers at the
poster.
and only posts here because he's procrastinating.
Click to expand...

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=procrastinating

So what am I putting off? I just got a new grade 11 chemistry credit at
summer school with an 89%. So what is it that I'm supposed to be doing, but
am not.

I see you got your crystal ball in the mail, and now know so much about me.

At least I don't call every other person a moronic f**kwit, who can spell,
while making my own share of spelling mistakes. So what is a brancell?

Hotmail's T&C state that if you are banned from Hotmail you stay banned.
They lie. Nevermind, he's back in the bozo-bin.
Click to expand...

And yet I keep getting out! Something wrong with your mouse? Can't hit the
Block Senders List... selection without hitting Cancel?


And you really expect users to believe someone who's abusive to innocent
users, proven to lie and habitually acts like a hypocrite?





--
Paul Cyr

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