XP Pro Setup Hangs - just want my data.

[Guest]

I needed to do a reinstall of XP Pro because of corrupt Windows files on a
Compaq 2800T Laptop.

All I want is to get to the point where I can get my data off (by CD or
Network).

I get to the point where I have the network drivers installed - and it says
"Setup will complete in approximately 22 mins (Installing Start Menu items is
the section).

The disk is active every so many seconds. The CD is not active.

It continues this way indefinitelty.

I tried to reboot in safe mode - but the setup didnt make it far enough.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I needed to do a reinstall of XP Pro because of corrupt Windows files on a
Compaq 2800T Laptop.

All I want is to get to the point where I can get my data off (by CD or
Network).

I get to the point where I have the network drivers installed - and it says
"Setup will complete in approximately 22 mins (Installing Start Menu items is
the section).

The disk is active every so many seconds. The CD is not active.

It continues this way indefinitelty.

I tried to reboot in safe mode - but the setup didnt make it far enough.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

There are several ways to get at your data:

a) Get it from backup. The golden rule of computing says that all important
files must be backed up to an independent medium every week. The
iron rule says that you never fiddle with the operating system unless
you have a full back up. If you decided to break both rules, read on.

b) Install the disk temporarily as a slave disk in some other WinXP PC,
then back up your files; or

c) Create a Bart PE boot CD (www.bootdisk.com), boot the machine
with this CD, then back up your files to an independent medium (network
or second hard disk); or

d) Create a DOS network boot diskette (www.bootdisk.com) and back
up your files to a networked machine. You will get short file names
only.

Option a) is by far the easiest option. Option b) works fine if you have
access to another WinXP/2000 PC. Option c) relies on a tool that is
indispensable for a system administrator. Option d) is painful.

 

[Kyuso Cahi]

I needed to do a reinstall of XP Pro because of corrupt Windows files on a
Compaq 2800T Laptop.

All I want is to get to the point where I can get my data off (by CD or
Network).

If you happen to have FAT32 for XP, the best bet is to boot from a linux cd.
I have a Compaq laptop that linux recognizes all drives and network, and so
I can copy any files over the network. If it's NTFS, then this solution may
not work well.