[RuFu5]

I have been viewing posts all week trying to figure out how to resolve this:

I get an error no matter how I try to boot into xp (safe, last known good, etc.). I do NOT have any kind of installation disk as it was installed on my pc when I bought it.

Would a dl copy of windows be able to patch it? I am begging for any help. Is there any way to get Windows recovery console without install disk?

 

[Dunedin]

Hello RuFu5

If your copy of XP is legal and you have your own product key you can borrow an XP installation CD in order to use the Recovery Console.

Do not try to do a full "Repair" with a borrowed CD

.

 

[AustrAlien]

Is there any way to get Windows recovery console without install disk?

Download the XP Recovery Console
http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso
Burn the .ISO image to CD, and then boot from the CD.

Firstly run chkdsk /r from the RC prompt, and repeat if necessary until no more errors are reported.

Try the following ...
Start tapping the F8 key after you press the ON button, and continue tapping until you are presented with the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" screen.
Use the UP/DOWN arrow keys to select "Last known good configuration", and press the <ENTER> key.
The computer will attempt to load Windows.
If Windows does not start, try the same thing again .... and continue trying for at least 10 times, before you rule that option out as a means of getting your OS up and running again, normally.
Why 10 times? Based on past experience, a successful result is sometimes achieved after several consecutive failed attempts.

An off-line system restore might get you out of trouble ...
System Restore from Recovery Console
http://2pure.net/index.php?session=0&action=read&click=open&article=1150238652
(There are a few mistakes in the the instructions text, but simply ignore those.
There is a significant mistake in Step #6 when changing the prompt back one directory level: This is given as cd..
In fact you must enter a space between cd and the two dots, so that it looks like this cd .. )

 

[RuFu5]

Thank you! I will try this tonight.
I had searched for this but with no luck.

If this does not work though, is it most likely a hardware problem? I am hoping that it is an easy fix... maybe I could try to install a new OS over the old one- or would I lose my data on the hdd?

(I only received this error after transporting the computer over a long distance. I had it softly packed in a static-protected casing. I looked over every connection, and even searched the mobo for hairline cracks. Nothing. How delicate are hard drives? I know if you drop it or something drastic it will screw it up, but could a car ride???)

Thank you guys!
Rufu5

 

[AustrAlien]

This error is unlikely to have been caused by the transportation. More likely is that it was caused by an untimely shut-down.

I think the instructions that have been provided will work for you. Let us know the result, or if there is any problem along the way.

 

[RuFu5]

OKAY...

Solved! ...ish

I tried to burn a copy of the recovery console but the only disk I had was old and all scratched so it didnt boot up.

I did however find an old (illegitimate) copy of windows xp sp2 that I managed to boot from.

I only used recovery console and ran chkdsk r and chkdsk f like instructed (pardon lack of technical grammar, using french keyboard)

Neither worked.

SEE LINK FOR INFO on what I am referring to here: http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127283

I then went in and used the commands listed (copy and delete reg) and did all that fun stuff but I had to stop at the step for the folder:
system volume information
I had opted to show hidden folders, obviously, and deselected hide protected folders. Access denied. 1.What else do I need to do to get in the folder?

I therefore had no way to do the restore that I was supposed to find in that folder and now I am running an old looking windows, and I have to go through the c: to get to any of my stuff- my pictures and my documents look like a fresh install-empty (my stuff is all on the HDD though).

2a.Is this because I did not complete the process? b.Or because I used someone elses disk?

Either way... I am stoked because I have ALL my files and programs back- even if the OS is funky. OH, and it says I have 30 days to activate now...

I have Win7 that I would like to run if i cannot get my old OS back the way it was... 3.But does that mean I lose all my data? Or how do I do a parallel install?

 

[RuFu5]

p.s.

I tried to do a system restore from the control panel, but it only showed a restore point for today.

I know I specifically made sure to have restore points long before packing up the PC and putting it in my luggage for a flight from San Diego to Montreal.

Thank you for all your help thus far!!!

 

[AustrAlien]

1.What else do I need to do to get in the folder?
Follow the instructions that I provided earlier, namely here ... and all will be well !
System Restore from Recovery Console
http://2pure.net/index.php?session=0&action=read&click=open&article=1150238652
(There are a few mistakes in the the instructions text, but simply ignore those.
There is a significant mistake in Step #6 when changing the prompt back one directory level: This is given as cd..
In fact you must enter a space between cd and the two dots, so that it looks like this cd .. )

2a.Is this because I did not complete the process?
Yes.

2b.Or because I used someone elses disk?
No, it does not matter about the disk: The Recovery Console is exactly the same.

Edit: There is one change you will have to observe, because of what you have just done and that is at Step 10 ...

10. In the _resto~1 folder type dir and then press enter and this will display the contents of the folder. Look for files called RP# Where the # sign will be some number. The RP# folder with the highest number will be the latest restore point.

You will now need to use the second-highest number.

Edit: Ah ... Montreal .... birthplace of Leonard Cohen!

 

[RuFu5]

RE:

I will try this- starting from the beginning of your instructions, but 1.do I just ignore the second half of the other [email protected] http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/...d.php?t=127283

2.So if I got this straight- I do not have to go to System Volume Information or finish the other part since I will back it up to before I did any of that?

And what about my 3rd question-- If I installed a new OS like windows7 would it wipe my drive? or is that a whole different discussion best left alone- and I just go back to XP which works perfectly fine for this PC (which is nothing special).

OH and I also have a BACKUP .bkf that I made in september- would that restore the OS to its original state? ...or just my files? (I prefer not to go back that far)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP! I could NOT have done this without your advise and would be S.O.L.

(It just started snowing today so I am REALLY glad I have a pc to play with!!!)
_RuFu5_

****EDIT*****
By "original state" I mean how I had it configured before the issue arose, not a fresh install.

 

[AustrAlien]

You wrote: "do I just ignore the second half of the other [email protected] http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127283 "
Yes, there is no need to do anything else but follow my instructions in my previous post.

You wrote: "So if I got this straight- I do not have to go to System Volume Information at all?"
The instructions do take you to SVI, and to your restore points to use ....

6. We will now have to change directory to the system restore directory. First type cd.. and then cd system~1 to get to the system restore directory.

You wrote: "And what about my 3rd question-- If I installed a new OS like windows7 would it wipe my drive? or is that a whole different discussion best left alone- and I just go back to XP which works perfectly fine for this PC (which is nothing special).
OH and I also have a BACKUP .bkf that I made in september- would that restore the OS to its original state? ...or just my files?"
It is a whole different discussion, and will be superfluous when your system is restored to its former glory.

You wrote: "It just started snowing today"
I can't say that I am envious .... but it would be a great excuse to be playing with the computer .... and it would be different to the weather here!

Good luck: Have a good time.

Edit: I see you have edited your post. If you follow my instructions and pick the correct restore point, your system should be back to as it was when you packed it up to head for Montreal.

 

[RuFu5]

**problem at step 8:

ren system system.bak
"A DIRECTORY OR FILE WITH THE NAME SYSTEM.BAK ALREADY EXISTS"

**Should I delete the current system.bak? Would it look like this?

del system.bak
ren system system.bak

_RuFu5_

 

[AustrAlien]

**problem at step 8:

Yes, it wasn't a good choice of name, considering the chances that a .bak copy may already exist. Simply use another name, such as system.old

ren system system.old

 

[RuFu5]

Soooooo...

I did as you instructed, and renamed sytem system.old and chose the second highest rp.

Problem is... I didnt even think about it... The number had the day before my flight meaning it was the same day the issue had occured.

SO..

I went in and re-performed the steps (yet again) and renamed system system.odd and chose a date from October.

I finished up, rebooted, and flash screen during xp loading bar and black (along with a high pitch mobo noise).

NICE.

SO,

I decided to try one more time- this time renaming all- the system.odd I made and the system.old before that, as well as system.

Now, I am able to get through the loading bar to the desktop but NOW MY KEYBOARD AND WACOM TABLET DO NOT WORK!

I have no mouse, but the tablet runs by usb and the wireless keyboard was working fine until now. I checked the batteries and nothing. I get stuck at the desktop with a "found new hardware, would you like to go online..." window.

NOW, I cannot even boot off of disk to attempt a new path or do anything for that matter.

 

[AustrAlien]

I only used recovery console and ran chkdsk r and chkdsk f like instructed .......... Neither worked.

Exactly what do you mean by "neither worked"?
Do you mean that neither of them would run and complete the task they were supposed to do ... ?
Or ...
Do you mean that they ran properly and did what they were supposed to do ... but having done that you tried to start your system but it still would not start properly?

You wrote: "I finished up, rebooted, and flash screen during xp loading bar and black (along with a high pitch mobo noise). NICE."
Unfortunately, I cannot understand what you mean .... but I gather it was not what you were hoping for?

You wrote: "Now, I am able to get through the loading bar to the desktop but NOW MY KEYBOARD AND WACOM TABLET DO NOT WORK!
I have no mouse, but the tablet runs by usb and the wireless keyboard was working fine until now. I checked the batteries and nothing. I get stuck at the desktop with a "found new hardware, would you like to go online..." window.
NOW, I cannot even boot off of disk to attempt a new path or do anything for that matter."
Get yourself a mouse and keyboard that will plug into the PS2 ports on the back of your computer box.
Disconnect everything except your mouse/keyboard/monitor ... including the tablet!
At this stage, I gather that your system is booting to the desktop ... Only problem is that
1. You don't have a mouse
2. Your current (USB) keyboard does not work.

Try booting and loading Windows without the tablet connected. Same scenario ... ?

You wrote: "I checked the batteries and nothing."
Just what am I supposed to make of that ?? Put some batteries in it ?
Please try to be clearer with what you say: It is hard enough to have to try and guess at what exactly is going on at your end.

 

[RuFu5]

Sorry,

I guess I was just upset. lol. Just disregard the last post. There were batteries...and they were not dead.

I tried every combination I could to get things to work, the odd thing is that it seems like the usb ports are not even being recognized: I plug in my flash drives and they dont even light up. I was able to get a working keyboard, and from there find the drivers for the tablet so now both are working.

I feel that I have gone through the re-creation of the registry so many times that now I have a bunch of crap in the tmp folder. It is hard to keep track of all I have done. Hopefully if I can do a restore, it will overwrite all of this.

I am however still having trouble getting into the system volume information folder. Another concern is that when I hover the folder it says folder is empty.

I guess I will do more research on getting into that folder, and any help you have is still greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[RuFu5]

I was able to complete the entire process, backing it up to october. I hit exit from the rc and go figure I have the high pitch noise and a black screen again.

What is going on where every time I back it up past november it just crashes out?

 

[AustrAlien]

I have no idea of what might be happening.
Can you locate the source of the "high pitch noise"?

Things are not going as I expected: Perhaps it might be a good time to consider your other options?

 

[RuFu5]

The strange thing is it seems to be coming from the monitor (I am using an old crt with no speakers right now, since my monitor and speakers are being shipped)

The only way I have been able to get the pc stable is by leaving it all misconfigured. Here are the issues with this:

1. I am missing a LOT of drivers and codecs- nothing really works properly right off the bat. Sometimes I am lucky to search them out and find the path manually, but I have no internet on this pc which makes it really difficult to get replacements.
1a. btw, Is it weird that my Photoshop cs3 has lost its fonts? I used to have a lot more choices when it came to text styles, and now half of my projects require a substitute font **REALLY ANNOYING**

2. The OS is sp2 when I had sp3 b4 and needs validated. (now I am running an illegitimate windows when I had the legit version of xp before)
2a. I have a crack for it that I will try.

3. Every time I remade the registry it made a new administrator file on c: and I cannot figure out how to get all of my data in the right places.
3a.My Documents, My pictures from the start menu lead to empty folders under the Administrator profile, however I go into C:-Documents and settings-Admin and they are all there in their own My pics, My docs, etc.

FYI my old name was Admin, not administrator, perhaps this is why it treats it as a separate account? It is super annoying to have to go into my c drive every time I need to find a file or picture. And setting up a shortcut is just that, a lame shortcut.


Besides these three things though, the pc is smooth. Maybe I should just take my losses since I have done this registry bit about 5-10 times, I dont even know anymore. I have made up files bouncing around called system.odd and system.kad etc.

lol

 

[AustrAlien]

RE: the "high pitch noise"
You wrote: "it seems to be coming from the monitor"
The "high pitch noise" and associated "black screen" indicate a problem with the display settings. The display settings that the system is attempting to use after performing a "system restore" are not able to be used with the "old crt" monitor.

It seems that you have two alternatives:
1. Wait until your original monitor arrives.
or
2. Try the following ....
First .... You should probably note the display settings that are being used successfully with the "old crt" monitor (the refresh rate, being one of them).
Then, after performing a system restore to the date that you wish to use .....
Start the computer, and tapping F8, arrive at the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
From that screen, choose "VGA Mode" and press <ENTER>
That should allow you to start the computer with basic display settings. From there, you need to alter the Windows display settings to ones that the "old crt" monitor is able to use.

Hope that works for you.
Good luck.