Computer Crashed, need help

[RJHNY1]

Ok, it's bit of a long story, but please bear with me.

The short story: Computer crashed and I think I shouldn't have a problem reinstalling Windows. But before I do, I want to save some pictures I had saved. Yes, I do backup my stuff, but I didn't save these particular pictures on a disk. How can I extract these pictures before I wipe the hard drive clean?

The long story:

I was having some minor problems with my laptop (Dell Inspiron 6000 - Windows XP, expired warranty). It was acting funny. The Internet wouldn't work. It would "connect" and tell me the signal strength is "excellent," but it wouldn't load any pages. Then a few days later, it went to a black screen and I attempted to reboot. Then the computer ran some sort of process. Then it tried to go to Windows and I got this message:

Stop: c0000218 Registry File Feature
The registry cannot load the hive (file): \systemroot\system32\config\software or its log or alternate
It is corrupt, absent, or not writable

Beginning of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete

I ran some diagnostic tests through the BIOS on my laptop and got passing marks. I also ran several custom tests and the "thorough" test. Computer didn't report anything.

I got the recovery disk from dell and tried this from here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/830084

Step 2: Use the recovery console to confirm that the hard disk or file system Is not damaged
Important We recommend that only advanced users or administrators use the Recovery Console.

Note Only the Administrator account can access the Recovery Console.

1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD drive. If prompted, select any options that you must select to start from the CD drive.

Note To start your computer from the Windows XP CD drive, your CD drive or DVD drive must be configured to do this. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD drive or DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.
2. When you are prompted to select Repair or Recover, press R. This starts the Microsoft Recovery Console.

Note You may have to enter the number to specify the Windows XP installation in the hard disk.
3. When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the Administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
4. Use the chkdsk command-line tool to examine the hard disks. At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r, and then press ENTER.
5. Read the results, and then take any steps that you must take to complete the process. For example, you may be prompted to run chkdsk /f to fix certain problems.
6. Restart the computer, and then try to run Setup again.

I decided to go to the recovery console as stated above. It did this in DOS mode. It said that it found some errors and it was fixed. I tried to restart the computer, but still get the same blue error page.screen.

I also tried this link: http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=307545

I entered this in dos mode:

md tmp
copy c:\windows\system32\config\system c:\windows\tmp\system.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\software c:\windows\tmp\software.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\sam c:\windows\tmp\sam.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\security c:\windows\tmp\security.bak
copy c:\windows\system32\config\default c:\windows\tmp\default.bak

delete c:\windows\system32\config\system
delete c:\windows\system32\config\software
delete c:\windows\system32\config\sam
delete c:\windows\system32\config\security
delete c:\windows\system32\config\default

copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system
copy c:\windows\repair\software c:\windows\system32\config\software
copy c:\windows\repair\sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam
copy c:\windows\repair\security c:\windows\system32\config\security
copy c:\windows\repair\default c:\windows\system32\config\default

Everything went smoothly until I tried this one:
copy c:\windows\repair\system c:\windows\system32\config\system

It said it couldn't read it or something, but all the other "copy" commands worked. I typed exit and rebooted the computer, just to see what would happen.

Now it says:

Windows could not start b/c the following file is missing or corrupt: \windows\system32\config\system You can attempt to repair this file by starting Windows Setup using the original setup CD-ROM

I went back to the recovery console, but it didn't do anything. It scanned and didn't tell me anything was up.

I really don't care about reformatting the computer. I'll do that. I just want to try to save those pictures that I had not backed up. Any way to do that?

What's next? What can I do? Thanks for the help!

EDIT: Ignore the sig...that's my desktop. That is NOT my laptop.

 

[mechBgon]

I'd go with Method 2: Repair install of Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315341/ just as a temporary "lifeboat" technique, then rescue the pictures. You can do a proper reinstallation of Windows afterwards.

When you do your permanent reinstall, I suggest

1) unplug memory-card readers and USB drives, so drive letter C:\ is available for the installation

2) start Windows Setup and when it shows the disk partitions, delete them all, then exit from Windows Setup by pressing F3 twice

3) now start Windows Setup a second time, make a partition, quick-format in NTFS and keep installing.



Also, if your Windows disc does not have Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 already integrated, take special security precautions: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security1.html (scroll down to the first picture).

 

[RJHNY1]

Thanks, if I do the repair install, how do I get the pictures? I'm afraid doing it this way will erase everything?

 

[RJHNY1]

Bump?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: RJHNY1
Thanks, if I do the repair install, how do I get the pictures? I'm afraid doing it this way will erase everything?

The SAFEST approach would be to attach your hard drive as a secondary drive to a working PC and copy the files elsewhere.

That said, if the hardware is functioning properly (hard drive, memory, cables, and motherboard), an XP "Repair Install" is relatively safe. Even if the repair fails, it shouldn't affect your data files on the drive.

 

[RJHNY1]

Thanks rebatemonger. I'm probably going to have to do the repair install. This is my laptop that I'm having problems with. I'm typing to you from my desktop. If I had another laptop, I could do that, but I don't.

However, I may be able to use my sister's laptop since she also as a Dell Inspiron laptop. How would I do it? Just take my drive out, put it in hers, and open it up?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: RJHNY1
However, I may be able to use my sister's laptop since she also as a Dell Inspiron laptop. How would I do it? Just take my drive out, put it in hers, and open it up?

It's easy to hook up laptop drives to a desktop PC.

You can use USB-to-SATA/IDE adapters (they almost all have 2.5-inch connectors for laptop drives).
USB to SATA/IDE adapters

Or you can directly connect your SATA or IDE drive interface to the PC's controller using appropriate adapters if necessary.

 

[RJHNY1]

Rebate monger, I'm gonna try the repair install for now. The other poster said to do Method 2, which is:

Method 2: Repair install of Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD
Note If Windows XP was preinstalled on your computer, you may need the installation CD to reinstall. Contact your computer manufacturer to make sure that you have the installation CD for a repair installation.

To reinstall Windows XP by starting your computer from the Windows XP CD, follow these steps:

1. Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer's CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.
2. When you receive the "Press any key to boot from CD" message on the screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
3. The following message on the Welcome to Setup screen will appear:
This portion of the Setup program prepares Microsoft Windows XP to run on your computer: To setup Windows XP now, press ENTER. To repair a Windows XP installation by using Recovery Console, press R. To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.
4. Press ENTER to set up Windows XP.
5. On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement screen, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
6. Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
7. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to reinstall Windows XP. After you repair Windows XP, you may have to reactivate your copy of Windows XP. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310064 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310064/ ) How to troubleshoot Windows XP Setup problems when you upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition

I'm having trouble between steps 5 and 6. When I get to step 5 and press F8 to accept the agreement, it takes me to a screen regarding partitioned space. I have 3 partitions for some reason. I thought it would take me to step 6, where I would "repair" XP. What do I do at this step?

Thanks.

 

[RJHNY1]

Bump

 

[mechBgon]

Pick the partition that contains your old WinXP installation.

 

[RJHNY1]

Thanks...is there a way to tell? There's 3 partitions.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: RJHNY1
Thanks...is there a way to tell? There's 3 partitions.

Try the largest one, and see if it says there's a WinXP installation on it. If so, you picked the right one. And for that matter, you can install your "lifeboat" WinXP installation on any partition it'll fit onto, then use it to rescue your stuff (note how to take ownership of your stuff: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421 ).

 

[RJHNY1]

I can't seem to be getting to a repair screen.

I chose the largest partition. Then it asked me to overwrite it or leave as is. I selected leave as is.

Now it's telling me that a \windows folder already exists and that if I continue, everything will be deleted, including possibly the my documents folder.

It asks:

To use the folder and delete the existing windows installation, press L

To use a different folder, press esc.

What do I do?

 

[mechBgon]

For a temporary installation, you could install to some other folder, such as C:\NewWindows.

 

[sup3rn0th1ng]

safest way would probably be to hook it up as a secondary HD and pull the files over then do a clean install. But of course that is from my point of view I studied forensics/data recovery for 2 years so...Its esp good if you have a write blocker to put onto the drive as well. These items could be found on ebay, may cost some money but good if used correctly.