[ukbsktbll]

I have this issue and I am trying to correct it going into the recovery console. I try to boot from CD and it won't. The CD does work in another computer. The light to the cd drive does light up when the CD is in there so I believe it is working fine. It says press any key to boot from cd, I do but nothing happens. Any help would be great. Thanks

 

[deleted010511]

That CD is not being read by that CD drive. Try a different CD drive. Or make an ISO image of that Boot CD on another computer with a burner and then burn the ISO image and try it again.

 

[ukbsktbll]

Well I have tried a xp with SP3 slip streamed. I even tried a XP cd - that i burned to my laptop then burned to a cd not original. The cd player lights up and i can hear it turning but it still doesnt read it while booting. I get windows loaded and then when its loading my desktop it just sits there. I can see the cursor - no icons load. Eventually i get a BSOD

 

[TheOutcaste]

Have you tried a different keyboard? Sounds like it's not seeing the "any key" being pressed, so it just boots the hard drive.

 

[ukbsktbll]

i will try that

 

[ukbsktbll]

well trying the different keyboard thing did work. I tried this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330184 . Well the boot.ini error didn't come back up. But i think I have a bigger problem. I got into windows it wouldnt load and then i got a BSOD. I then i go into safe mode and same thing BSOD after a while. Well i went into the windows install area and tried to do a repair, and after a few minutes i get a BSOD. It seems I can only get about 5 min into it before I get a BSOD. So is there anyway to stop this repair so I can try something else or is it screwed?

I really dont think there is anything on the drive that I really need, but I would like to get some stuff off of it if I can. Thanks

 

[TheOutcaste]

What is the error message on the BSOD?

Might try running a memory test. That can cause oddities, especially when doing an install or repair.

memtest86
memtest86+

 

[ukbsktbll]

Tried memtest - on both sticks and the sticks individually no errors. Each ran for 7 passes or more.

 

[Squashman]

Could be a bad HD.

 

[ukbsktbll]

Other thoughts dont believe it is that

 

[ukbsktbll]

really I need to somehow need to figure out the product key for this windows installation. I believe a reformat would be the best first choice. Problem is I am not sure I can get into windows because the windows repair. can you stop that anyway?

 

[TheOutcaste]

What is the error message on the BSOD?

really I need to somehow need to figure out the product key for this windows installation. I believe a reformat would be the best first choice. Problem is I am not sure I can get into windows because the windows repair. can you stop that anyway?

You can use a live CD to recover files from the drive, or connect it to another PC, internally or via an external enclosure.

Are you saying you don't have the Product Key to do a re-install? A repair install also requires the product key.
You can use Magical JellyBean Keyfinder to recover the key from a non-booting system, assuming the repair install hasn't gone far enough to overwrite the existing registry. If it has, you might be able to get it from a Restore point it they still exist.

Live CDs
Ultimate Boot CD for Windows
BartPE CD/DVD
Ultimate Boot CD
Knoppix
Ubuntu
Puppy Linux
The first two require access to a Windows XP Disk
The Ultimate Boot CD does not include SATA drivers, so you'll either need to be able to change the BIOS setting for the SATA controller to ATA instead of AHCI, or Compatibility mode instead of Enhanced(wording will vary)

 

[ukbsktbll]

Well I believe I chose to do a repair, and it looks like its doing a reinstall, but I haven't actually done a repair in the past before. The problem is each time I go to restart it, it goes straight to the repair even after a BSOD and a restart. So basically I need to get into windows to use the key finder cause my brother lost my cd.

 

[ukbsktbll]

so can i put it in another system and use the Magical JellyBean Keyfinder to figure out the key or how do I need to go about this?

 

[TheOutcaste]

Connect to another system, then:
From the FAQ

Q: Can I retrieve the product key from a non-booting Windows installation?
As long as both Windows versions are 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, you can use the Load Hive function. You will have to slave the drive and point the Keyfinder to the non-booting Windows directory.

 

[ukbsktbll]

Is the Load Hive Function within the Magical JellyBean Keyfinder program.

If mine is xp pro and the one i need the key from is xp home is that possible to work?

 

[TheOutcaste]

As long as both Windows versions are 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, you can use the Load Hive function.

In Magical Jellybean Keyfinder, click Tools | Load Hive, browse to the Windows folder on the slaved drive, click OK.

 

[ukbsktbll]

I tried it, I was in vista and tried to find the key - slave drive has xp. It said load hive failed. So is it a lost cause? It even failed on my xp pro one too.

 

[TheOutcaste]

Ah, if you are in Vista, you must log in with the Built in Administrator account. A "Regular" Computer Administrator account will give the Hive Load Failed message.
How to enable the Built-in Administrator account.

Not sure why it wouldn't work on XP, though it could also be a permissions problem. Can you view the files in the slaved Drive Windows folder? Also check Windows\System32 and Windows\System32\config. If you get an Access Denied message on any of the folders, you'll need to take ownership of the folder(s)
How to take ownership of a file or folder in Windows XP

 

[ukbsktbll]

I tried it in an XP home pc. It seemed to work. I hit load hive and then it loads a screen and says Zone Alarm. Like image attached

Also it mentioned something about recovered part of registry I believe but I entered through it so I am not positive