Old Maven

My PC crashed while restarting after a Spybot S/D update. I used my Rescue Disk to try to reboot, but all I got was a black/white screen telling me I had no O/S system.

How do I use my original CD to reboot?

How do I avoid losing all my files?

My O/S is Win Me.

Help!

OldGrayGary

Hi Old Maven

Can we assume that the PC does not produce a Boot Menu if you start tapping the F8 key as the system powers on?

If you can produce a Boot Menu by tapping F8 as the system powers on, choose "Safe Mode" to see if the PC can boot into that mode.

If yes, copy any irreplaceable data onto removable media first. Then see if you can run a System Restore using WinMe's built-in System Restore tool. WinMe's System Restore tool does not destroy your personal data.

If you can see a Boot Menu, but the boot attempts fail, at least you know that some files are still on the hard drive. If there's irreplaceable data on the drive, you'll want to try to salvage what you can.

If you see no Boot Menu at all -- not a good sign, but read on to see your next steps.
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You mention a Rescue Disk - is this a manufacturer's CD or DVD that came with the system when you bought it (Dell, IBM, HP/Compaq, etc.)? If so, what options were you presented with, and what choices did you make?

Many "Rescue/Recovery/Restore" disks completely reformat the hard drive as their first step is a "full factory original" restoration. It is true that this usually erases all data on the system partition. The next step in the recovery usually copies a disk-image of the hard drive as it was direct from the factory.

Some Recovery Disks have several options, some of which keep your personal files intact (these are sometimes called "partial" recoveries).
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You also mention an "original CD". Are you referring to a Windows Me installation CD?
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If the data on the PC is irreplaceable - your obvious priority right now is to save that data if at all possible.

If the drive hasn't been reformatted, and if the drive is mechanically OK, you should be able to either boot the PC with a bootable CD & copy the data off onto CDs or another hard drive. If you are technically experienced, you could pull the hard drive out & attach it to another PC & copy that data in that manner.

If the hard drive has been reformatted, you can attempt to recover the data with a program that specializes in recovering data under such conditions. Sometimes much of the data is recoverable, even after a reformat, so long as the prior-data areas of the hard drive haven't been overwritten yet. Sometimes very little data is usefully recovered. These programs can take a very long time (as they inspect the hard disk sector-by-sector & attempt to recreate file headings & such) - but are worth a try if the data is worth it. A well-spoken-of free program that I've heard recommended is PC Inspector File Recovery. Here's a link to it's download over at cnet's download.com --- http://download.cnet.com/PC-Inspecto...n;overviewHead
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There is also a chance that the hard drive chose a bad time to fail. WinMe era hardware isn't getting any younger. To rule out hardware failure, you can try running a diagnostic on the hard drive --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 ---
If you prefer, you can find many hard drive & memory diagnostics on bootable CDs such as the UBCD --- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com --- The UBCD is open-source & free.
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I'll check back later in the morning to see how you're doing. Other techs are around most of the time & can help as well.

Best of luck!
. . . Gary

Old Maven

Thanks, Gary, for your helpful information re. my efforts to boot up my old PC clunker and save my files. Unfortunately, I'll have to take a raincheck. I've just discovered that the desktop was disconnected by my helpers during the June 12 TV digital converter angst. Now I'll have to wait until I can get someone to crawl under the desk and sort the wires out.

I do appreciate your prompt response, and I hope to call on you again.