Urgent call for HELP!!!

[redgtxdi]

OK...........I tried posting this on "OS" but that forum moves like molasses in January & I need help quickly.............



HP laptop..............(father in law's)............tried to install SP2 'cuz he hadn't been keeping up with updates. Online process failed a few KBxxxxxx updates. I'd seen this once before so I used SP2 cd to update. Figured everything would be fine.

Well, now the thing goes to the boot menu & no matter what I select ('normally', 'last known good', 'safe mode', etc.) NONE of the options work. The system just freezes.

No floppy so I need to make a boot-CDR. I have ONE blank CD here at work so it's gotta be the right one.

Went to bootdisk.com but even for *just* XP there seems to be a few choices. Since I only have one shot at this, anybody got a "BEST" suggestion???

TIA

 

[amddude]

You're probably best off getting a xp sp2 cd and repairing windows from that.

 

[Leros]

Rub the computer with a magnet.

Magnotherapy








jk, please dont do this.

 

[xchangx]

Get a copy of Windows XP (Pro or Home), boot off the cd, get in to the system recovery console.

at the prompt type:
fixboot

then

fixmbr

Should work

 

[redgtxdi]

Sorry........forgot to include the one other pertinant detail............


I've tried that already, but as I recall, the best "repair" is the *2nd* "R" option after XP looks for "previous" versions, however, it's not finding a "previous" version so I'm hosed.

Definitely need to use an emergency "startup" disk and at least backup the stuff for my FIL before I wipeout & reinstall.......(which I can't WAIT to do just to kick this thing to the curb!!!)

 

[redgtxdi]

Originally posted by: xchangx
Get a copy of Windows XP (Pro or Home), boot off the cd, get in to the system recovery console.

at the prompt type:
fixboot

then

fixmbr

Should work

Forgot about this..........will try it & post back here.


Thanks guys so much for the quick replies!!:thumbsup:

 

[xchangx]

Run chkdsk /r from the recovery consol if nothing else works.

That scans the entire drive for bad clusters and tried to recover the data on the bad ones.

 

[amdskip]

What boot cd are you trying to make?

I'd personally remove the hard drive and back it up onto another machine and then wipe it.

 

[FrequencyX]

Originally posted by: amdskip
What boot cd are you trying to make?

I'd personally remove the hard drive and back it up onto another machine and then wipe it.

That would be ideal if he had a 2.5" to 3.5" IDE adapter which I doubt he has.

 

[redgtxdi]

Well, "fixboot" followed by "fixmbr" worked to get back to a point.

Only problem is it won't boot all the way. I can't get to the "welcome" screen. I get to the scrolling worm, but after that screen goes black it just reboots........AARRGGGHH!!!


So, now I dunno what to do.

I tried to boot from the CD again & get to the *2nd* repair but it just can't find a previous version of Windows so it won't give me that option. This is truly pissin' me off!!!

 

[redgtxdi]

Running "chkdsk /r" right now..........(fingers crossed!)

 

[Kelemvor]

I'd try FDisk and then a fresh install. Tell him that's what he gest for not updating his own computer.

 

[redgtxdi]

Well, as an update..........


"chkdsk /r" worked (yeeaah)....but it's really sluggish right now. I'm doin' a system restore back to a few days ago, then I'm gonna play with it more & if it ain't reeeeeeeeeeeeeal hospitable like..........I'm gonna backup the basics & then kick her to the curb & reinstall FRESH!!!!!!!